Turkey Tracks

Hate Crimes Bill Signed into Law

President Obama signed the Defense Policy Bill that includes "Hate Crimes" legislation.  Here is a quote from Fox News on the story. 

"The legislation includes a measure -- the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act-- that authorizes the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute violent attacks in which the perpetrator has targeted a victim because of the his or her actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.  The measure is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was brutally murdered 11 years ago in a bias-motivated attack in Wyoming."

This description obviously alludes to the brutal murder of Matthew Shepherd and a special need to be aware of crimes motivated by prejudices.  I'm certainly in agreement that the law should be diligent to protect those who are vulnerable because of choices of faith or disposition.  How do you predict then, that a violent crime is coming?    How do you identify a potential hate crime offender?  Some cases are much more predictable than others.  This is the underlying issue that some may exploit for political reasons. 

The devil is a master schemer.  He is operating in both sides of the issue of homosexuality.  He has convinced one man that it is natural to follow his lust to whatever level he deem's personally fulfilling; and he has convinced another man to maliciously burn against human weakness to the point of hate and murder.  Inevitably, the masses will want to prosecute and kill the Peacemaker. "The thief comes but for to kill, steal, and destroy." Jn 10:10 

Sit Down

If you have never read the book of Ephesians in detail, I encourage you to do so.  This short letter from the apostle Paul is filled with theological truths that can go unappreciated if not carefully unpacked.  I picked up a book by Watchman Nee on Ephesians.  I don't know much about this author, but he did give me a powerful perspective on what it means to "sit" with Christ.  See if you can appreciate it too. 

...that power is like the working of his mighty strength, whiche he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given,... 1:19-21

1:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ...

2:8  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

The Christian life does not begin with walking; it begins with sitting.  Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order.  We often say, "What can we attain without effort?"  Christianity does not begin with our "doing", it begins with what God has already "done". 

God created the world in seven days.  Six days he labored, and on the seventh, he rested.  Man was created on the sixth day.  What did Adam do on the seventh day?  He rested.  Adam was invited to join God in enjoying all that God had already done.  God certainly had things for Adam to do, but that would come after Adam understood his relationship to his creator.  Adam could offer no labor to justify the rest he received from God he could only "sit" in the work already done.

The same is true for the Christian.  The work has already been done.  Subsequently, we are invited to "sit" with Christ and enjoy the work of the cross.  Sure, there is plenty to "do" in light of the mission of the kingdom, but first we must "sit".  We must reckon ourselves to be "seated" with Christ in a relational position of total faith in his work in which he did without us. 

Read Ephesians and ask God to speak to you.  Do you ever get "working" ahead of "sitting"?  The true Christian life is enjoying the work that God has done through Christ.  Then we can join him in doing the things he has already prepared for us to do.  Cool.

Salvation: Out of the Box

Do you think there is anyone in Etowah county who has not heard the gospel of Christ?  (The gospel meaning the good news on how to have a real and saving relationship with God through Jesus.)  I would dare say that most people have been exposed to the gospel, but I am convinced that the majority of the people in this world are "blinded" to the truth of what they have "brushed up against".

I had the sorrowful task of leading a funeral for a 2 month old infant yesterday.  Life is so fragile.  I attempted to comfort the family with words from Jesus and pointed them toward the love of God.  I encapsulate the truth of the gospel with onlookers and listeners of all kinds.

After the service, the grave attendant was ready to "close the grave".  A small mound of dirt was put back in the hole in which it came, by a man who seemed to be emotionality moved by something he did many times a day.  As everyone began to leave, I talked with this man.  He looked to be about 30 years old and had a friendly disposition.  I talked with him about what he did and he told me that he had done 5 funerals that morning already.  He commented that a child's funeral is especially sorrowful.  Then I said something like, "Wow, you're around death all the time.  One day somebody will be filling our graves for us, right?"  He said "Yeah."  So I asked him if he was "prepared to die", or specifically, "Do you have a relationship with Jesus that prepares you to meet God?"  He said, "No, I don't."  "Why not?"  I asked.  "Well, I guess I never really thought about it." he said.

How could a guy that digs graves for a living not think about dying?  How could he never contemplate his own mortality?  How could he live in Alabama and have never taken the gospel to heart?  Sadly, this type of scenario exists in most people's lives today.

So, it is possible to be exposed to the gospel, surrounded by the testimony of death, and never take the truth as a personal matter.  Somehow human beings have the ability to act like they are going to live on this earth forever.  Even as we watch people die around us daily.  Strange.

How do we get the gospel "out of the box" or "out of the package" in which people have become so chronically immune?  That's the question I'm wrestling with today.  I know and believe in the sovereignty of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit that draws a man to the truth, but I am talking about our part in passionately offering the gospel in an irreligious way that might help people believe the Spirit that beckons them.  Can we make a difference in the spiritual warfare nature of pulling the blinders off someone's calloused heart?  How do we get salvation "out of the box"?

In a Suit Today

Whenever you see me in a suit, I'm most likely doing one of two things: a wedding or a funeral.  I've never understood the suit / religion thing anyway.  I don't mind wearing a suit, but isn't it funny how people relate dressing up and holiness.  Or, how people associate a suit with authority, power, respect, and other cool stuff.  I guess its a human-thing to assume someone who looks good also possesses qualities of leadership and/or spirituality.  I don't think God is impressed with a suit of clothes. 

I've always wondered why bankers and white-coller suit guys get to wear their "work clothes" to "church". 

Anyway, I'm glad to wear a suit if it puts me in the background of an event.  I mean, if I can comfort a grieving family, or blend with a wedding party, bring on the suit.  I still feel odd getting into my truck with a suit on.  I just pretend I am a wealthy cattle farmer going to the bank to loan them some money. 

Pray for a couple today who lost their 2 month old baby to SIDS.  Ask the Lord to open their hearts to His love and comfort.  Today, ask yourself, "Am I living my life in light of the life to come?"  ...For death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.  Ecc. 7:2

Investing

As I finish up the sermon series called "Outreach: Out of the Box" I am still reflecting on Paul's observation about his investment relationship with the believers at Thessolonica.  "For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." 1 Thess. 3:8  After reading and re-reading these letters and Paul's other relational comments, I have concluded that one of the greatest investments a Christian can make is in the lives of other believers.  Not only are we concerned to see people come into an initial relationship with Christ, but our joy is complete when those folks can stand firm on their own.  Then we can continue to build them up in the Lord.

So many religious Christians cannot feed themselves much less feed someone else.  We are quite self-centered in our pursuits of spirituality.  It is when we finally see that life is way too short to be enamored with our own self-fulfillment that we truly "live".  It's about others. 

I heard a story today about a woman who was arrested because her daughter was riding inside a cardboard box on top of a van.  This story came from my hometown Albertville, Alabama.  Turns out, she was going to her church to raise awareness for homeless people and hungry children.  I think they were fasting and camping out in boxes.  The box would not fit in the van so...on the roof they go.  A passing motorist dialed 911 when they noticed hair blowing out the top of the box.

Sometimes our zeal to raise awareness, make a statement, participate in a cause, or complete  a successful church program, over-rides the principle of what we are doing and why we are doing it.  Everyone might agree that investing our lives in others is a good idea in principle, but we must all guard our hearts from falling in love with the idea and missing the individuals we desire to make a tangible contribution towards their personal advancement. 

So I say, "Get out of your box."  Just don't do it if you are riding in it on top of a van. 

Trying to Get Back to Bloggin' Again

I have been too politically stressed to say anything productive in the blogging world.  I'm better now.  Stay tuned. 

Spiritual Maturity

It's a pretty common question that is often asked to children, "What do you want to be when you grow up"?  Like most kids, I wrestled with that question to the point of really coming up with nothing.  I never really had an overwhelming direction for what I wanted to "be".  I guess if I had to choose an occupation in hindsight, I would like to be a farmer. 

I have two sons that are on the threshold of the age of declaration.  That is, the age when the decisions they make really start impacting some of life's directions.  It is fun to be a child.  After all, just about everything you need is provided by someone else.  You don't really have to make major decisions, you don't have to pay taxes, you just enjoy being a kid.  That's what kids do. 

Back to the first paragraph.  What if there was a more important question for growing up?  It's a question that most people never hear much less consider.  In reality, it is much more important that occupational choices because it is the foundation that shapes our lives towards the purposes of God.  Without this question, we make decisions based on our feelings or personal intuition.  The question is of course, "What do you think God wants you to be when you grow up"? 

We're not necessarily talking about occupations, but spiritual maturity.  What is your vision for growth?  After all, it would be foolish to think that God wants you to remain a spiritual child your entire life. 

Start asking God to renew your vision for spiritual growth.  Ask Him to fill you with the anticipation that maturity brings.  I still remember how excited I was when I turned 16 and bought my first car.  It was a 1977 Cutlass Supreme.  Right now, God has things he wants you to grow into but he not gonna let you drive if you can't reach the pedals.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

Burning Memories

My mother has finally sold her house in Albertville and is moving to a smaller home on Alabama Ave.  It's been a long process and moving all the stuff that has accumulated over the years is quite a task.  It's not just moving furniture, its a question of what to do with the "relics" of the years.

My older brother and I finally set in to the task of cleaning out the attic.  It was full of "stuff" that really had no value other than the memories attached to each insignificant item.  For instance: notebooks from school, old record albums, sun-britches, my viking helmet, old stereos, tax forms, canning jars, stuffed animals, and various things that had baked at 180 degrees for 20+ years in a hot attic. 

I'm sure we all have stuff we keep for sentimental reasons.  I sorted through the things as best I could and kept a few souveniers.  My boys and the rest of our family had gone through the stuff and got what they wanted and all that was left looked like a pile of trash.  What do you do with trash?  Burn It!

"Anything will burn if the fire is hot enough" my brother said.  He was right.  In a theraputic spell of violence, Mother's attic was transformed into a big empty room. 

I stood and watched the fire burn with mixed emotions.  I caught a final glimpse of my "A-team" notebook and sighed deeply.  Here's what I learned, "You'll never remember some memories unless you have something to remind you of it."   I didn't want to remember 10th grade anyway. 

Getting Back to the Blog

I'm resolved to get back to the blog.  It's theraputic for me and maybe a little entertaining for you.  Stay tuned.

Preaching in Under Wear / Wire

I have no arguement against beauty pagents and the such.  Nor do I wish to cast any negative light on Miss Prejean merely for the sake of sport.  I just thought it was kind of funny at how we all became so goo-gooed over a woman's answer on gay marriage after she had paraded around a stage, 90% naked, tempting thousands of men to lust after her (except for the judge of course). 

I know, that's what men do, right?  It's just part of the pagent's demands.  She can't help it. 

Thanks Carrie for your unwavering stand for the kingdom.  Who knows what I'll wear Sunday morning.