Mark Witmer - Ninja warrior

A fearfully and wonderfully made update: Mark Witmer travelled with our family to Siberia last summer. This is worth seeing. This video won him a trip to Japan for a Ninja warrior competition.

Sarah Palin - change we can believe in?

Romans 13:8-14
For Sunday, September 7, 2008
Proper 18

I was captivated last night by Sarah Palin's emergence as McCain's pick to be his running mate. Here is - at least at first glance - what appears to be an authentic social and fiscal conservative who is committed to doing the right thing and is walking the walk. Better yet she understands both Alaska and drilling (her husband is an oil driller) and has a passion both for energy independence and the environment.

My jazz trio was over this morning and we had an extended conversation on politics. We agreed that too often in recent years the evangelical community has been co-opted by the Republican Party. We also agreed that while the emerging evangelical left is appropriately concerned about social justice, they are in danger of being co-opted by the Democrats. We also agreed that the key thing for us each to do as believers is to be engaged.

One way we each have to do this is to decide whom to vote for. This of course presumes we'll be voting. The key question for believers may be this: which ticket presents better overall alignment with the Christian worldview? We ought not be aligned with either the Republicans or the Democrats, but we ought to be aligned with the gospel as a worldview. The Christian worldview is this: we are created in the image of God; we have fallen into sin; Christ died on the cross to redeem us from our sin; and our purpose now is be part of God's reconciling all things back to himself.

Now, how does that align with Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin? We each have to make that calculus. I actually agree with a point Obama made in his acceptance speech the other night: we as Americans have both an individual responsibility and a shared social responsibility. It is this latter responsibility that has too often been lost on Beltway Republicans.

At the same time, my personal opinion - not to be confused with theological conviction - is that a conservative (versus Republican) social and economic agenda gives us the best chance as a nation to fulfill a vision for both individual and social responsibility. I am very wary of government power. I think our current federal government is way too large and way too powerful. No one has even been talking about shrinking it. Reagan was the last one to do this and all he was able to do was shrink the rate of growth.

Obama spoke his 'enough': let me speak mine: Enough federal government encroachment, forced redistribution of wealth, profligate spending, and waste. Let's determine which parts of government really contribute to both individual responsibility and social justiceand then eliminate the rest. Let's also nurture the moral consensus (both individual and social) and free market that have served us so well over the past 200 years. A free market without a moral consensus leads to Russia. A moral consensus without a Judeo-Christian underpinning leads to places like Iran.

Despite our faults we have something very special in this country that ought to be cherished and nurtured. There is a lot to be cynical about politically and yet each of us can make a difference both individually and corporately. Don't let cynicism lull you to sleep. A selection from today's passage seems an appropriate way to close:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. . . And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Rom 13:8,11).

This is change we can believe in.

authentic life in view of God's mercy

Pax, Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1285 - 1348)
Palazzo Publico, Siena, Italy

Rom 12:9-21
For Sunday August 31, 2008
Proper 17

This passage is not just about what it means to live authentically as a Christian, but rather what it means to do this in view of God's mercy (Rom. 12:1). One of the most important things for Christian preachers and teachers to do is to connect the what with the why. As my former pastor Stuart Briscoe likes to say, preach the imperatives in light of the indicatives. It's one thing to proclaim "overcome evil with good". It's something else entirely to say "in view of God's mercy overcome evil with good."

God's mercy is in our constant view in the images of the cross, the empty tomb, and the risen Christ. Every time we make some small decision which overcomes evil with good, we are merely validating what Christ has already accomplished.

If you are having a bad day, if you are suffering from evil, or don't have the oomph to overcome evil with good, remember this: it's already been accomplished. We are going to win this thing called life, and in this we have every right and reason to rejoice.


Georgia update: The U.S. has cancelled plans to dock the Coast Guard cutter Dallas in the Georgian port city of Poti, which continues to be occupied by the Russians, despite the fact that it is in neither breakaway region of Abkhazia or South Ossetia.

The Europeans are complaining that the Russians have claimed these two territories in violation of international law. Unfortunately, international law is something of a dubious concept. If these two regions truly want to be part of Russia rather than Georgia, then why not let them? This would be parallel to Kosovo wanting to secede from Serbia. (For that matter, if I were the Russians, I would let the Chechens go too).

However, don't let Russia use these breakaway regions as a pretext to bring down the government of an emerging democracy, which is what its ongoing occupation of Poti signals. The U.S. currently has seven Navy ships in the Black Sea. I would like to see all seven of those ships docking in Poti today with the 82nd Airborne on standby backed by a contingent twice as large from the European Nato countries. The Caucuses and all of Eastern Europe deserve better than rule by a retreaded KGB. I would also like to see Russia formally kicked out of the G8, and the U.S. suspend it's NATO membership until the Western Europeans decide what's more important to them: Russian gas or the legacy of freedom.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Part of being a good Christian is retaining a good sense of humor. File this post accordingly.

The Bible says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Last night at the Olympics we had this on display when Jamaican Usain Bolt smashed the 200 meter (or metre if you lean European) record. Here's what one of the Jamaican coaches had to say about this:

"You have people who are exceptions," said Stephen Francis, the coach of Bolt's main Jamaican rival, Asafa Powell, the former 100 world-record holder. "You have Einstein. You have Isaac Newton. You have Beethoven. You have Usain Bolt. It's not explainable how and what they do."

You have Einstein . . . you have Usain Bolt. Classic and I thought very funny. Even the guy's name seems a freak of nature for a sprinter. The American sprinter Walter Dix was asked about Bolt's performance in the 100 meter race earlier in the week and said, "Well... that dude can run." That was funny too.

Reminds me of a joke that one prominent pastor told me he heard from another prominent pastor. A zebra dies and appears at the pearly gates where he encounters St. Peter. The Zebra says, "St. Peter, can you help me with something? I've always wanted to know if I'm a white zebra with black stripes or a black zebra with white ones." St. Peter says, "Well, wait here, I'll check with the Father, and be right back." When St. Peter returns, he says, "The Father said 'You are what you are'." The Zebra, somewhat perplexed, asked, "How does that help me?" "Well, clearly you're a white zebra with black stripes," responded Peter. "How do you know that?" the zebra asked. "Because," said Peter, "if you were a black zebra with white stripes the Father would have said, 'You is what you is.'" Who the joke came from makes it even better, but discretion is the better part of valor.

In other news, related to my previous Saddleback post see Dan Henninger's insightful column in today's Wall Street Journal. In world news, the Russians don't appear to be intending to leave Georgia anytime soon. They have committed to pulling back but only to a buffer zone around the breakaway republics that appears based on a remarkably flexible definition of 'buffer'. The Georgians may indeed need to take some responsibility for inappropriate behavior of their own but I'm still smelling some classic Soviet doublespeak in the latest pronouncements from Moscow. President Bush apparently is still insisting that the Russians leave all of Georgia including Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. Well.... let's either position some boots on the ground to facilitate or let's just admit we're not going to do anything about it.

post-Soviet Georgia

As an American who lived in Russia for eight years I've been following the Georgian story with interest. I recommend today's Michael Gerson op-ed piece in the Washington Post as the best current summary of what is really going on.

Also of significance is Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's editorial in today's Wall Street Journal. There may be a parallel to draw between Southern Ossetia and Kosovo, but I hope this won't be used to occupy Georgia proper or to destabalize and overthrow the present Georgian government.

Hopefully the West will recognize that it is right and good to defend the interests of legitimate democracies from Taiwan to Estonia.

political engagement

Isaiah 51:1-6
For Sunday August 24, 2008
Proper 16

This weekend witnessed the continued Russian occupation of Georgia, the continued U.S. actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, the incredible feats of Michael Phelps at the Olympics, and a Faith Forum hosted at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. For me, one thread that runs through all four of these events is the question of engagement with the world. Should the United States, my home country, be engaged in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Georgia? Related to this, should the church be engaged in politics, and specifically, should an evangelical church be hosting a forum for the presidential candidates?

Regarding the engagement of the United States, clearly the key point of contention is Iraq. Some like Francis Fukuyama in the Wall Street Journal and my acquaintance Dan Clendenin in his Journey with Jesus webzine argue that despite recent successes the Iraq war will still prove to be not worth the cost of $500+ billion dollars and 4,000+ American lives. I disagree for two reasons. First, it's important to remember that in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 decisive hard power action seemed warranted in the face of an imminent WMD threat. True, without the WMD threat, the situation would probably have been handled differently. Yet given that the U.S. did invade, it would be foolish to pullout now. Second, why not make the most of the investment already made and proceed to see if an Arab democracy can indeed be established? To bury our heads in the sand now would simply mean Iran takes over Iraq and that war most likely breaks out with either Israel or any dissenting Arab powers.

Regarding the church's engagement with politics, what should we make of Saddleback's Faith Forum? I would be concerned if Rick Warren came out and endorsed one candidate or another, or declared that Christians have to vote Republican. At the same time, if what is spiritual encompasses all of life, and so much of life gets reflected in politics, shouldn't the church seek to have a redemptive influence? I heard one talking head this morning note, "Rick Warren asked some questions that none of us would have thought to ask." Score a small victory for the Christian worldview!

A part of one of this week's readings seems to put this all into appropriate perspective:

"Listen to me my people; . . . My justice will become a light to the nations . . . the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will where out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies (democratic or republican I wonder...). But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail." (Isaiah 51:4-6)

Solzhenitsyn's Warning

I recommend for reading and contemplation Chuck Colson's reflection on the significance of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's life and passing.

a consecrated life

Romans 12:1-8
For Sunday, August 24, 2008
Proper 16

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship" (Rom 12:1). In other words, given the mercy of God extended to us in being included among God's chosen people, let us live lives consecrated to him. To be consecrated means to be dedicated to something. As Michael Phelps has consecrated himself to swimming so are we to consecrate ourselves to our spiritual calling. Our lives are to be living cathedrals to God's grace and glory. What does this mean in practice?

First, it means that rather than being conformed to the pattern of this world, we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind (v. 2). Turn off the TV - make time for prayer, journaling, and Bible study. As a result we'll begin to understand God's will for our lives (v. 3).

Second, it means making a sober assessment of one's gifts (v. 4). How can my gifts best function within the body of Christ? Am I someone who can discern God's mind and direction in human affairs - then focus on this (v. 6). Am I someone who excels in serving to meet practical needs - then focus on this. Am I someone who excels in teaching? Encouraging? Providing financial support? Leadership? Engaging in a ministry of mercy? Then focus on this one thing.

One of my personal applications is to stay committed to writing this blog. My prayer is that this blog would serve the body of Christ by providing a ministry of teaching that will shape and spur myself and others to live out the gospel in all of life. I think the church is in need of a deeper and richer understanding of the gospel and that this ministry of writing is one way to promote this.

What about you? What need does the church and/or the world have that you are uniquely positioned to meet? Take the next step and watch your life transform before your eyes.

'all Israel' will be saved

Rom. 11:1-2a, 29-32
For Sun. Aug. 17, 2008
Proper 15

Romans 11 represents the culmination of Paul's argument in chapters 9-11, so it's important to understand what he's really saying. The key verse may be v. 26: "and so all Israel will be saved." What does Paul mean by 'all Israel'?

There are three major options: first, Paul could mean national Israel; second, Paul could mean spiritual Israel; or third, Paul could mean elect Jews from within national Israel. I believe the second option is the best choice for the following reasons:
1) A key point for Paul in this whole section is that "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel" (9:6).
2) Chapter 10 is all about how salvation is available to anyone who believes - in other words, spiritual Israel.
3) The point of the olive tree illustration in chapter 11 is that there is one tree, with branches grafted in from among the Gentiles and then also from among the Jews. What does this olive tree best represent? Spiritual Israel.

Chapter 11 does also suggest that there will be a time when Jews, out of envy for their Gentile counterparts, are grafted back into the olive tree from which they were cut. Yet the overall point is not that God will re-establish national Israel: the point is that God will fulfill his promise to spiritual Israel, which are the individuals comprising the remnant of Jews and Gentiles saved by the righteousness of faith offered through the mercy of God.

Note where Paul is then going with this in chapter 12: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices." We are to live our lives with the gratitude that flows from God's mercy extended to us. We are part of the Israel that God has and will save - and as Paul notes as he concludes chapter 11, this is glorious indeed.

carbon footprints and a related concern

There was an article in the Chicago Tribune today discussing the various calculators available to calculate one’s carbon footprint. For one particular family the Coolclimate calculator spit out a value of 44 tons while the Nature Conservancy produced a value of 120 tons. The article noted that the methodology is still being worked out.

A friend mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago how striking it seemed that while global warming continues to be the primary moral concern in the news over 1 million abortions are occuring annually just here in the U.S. I am all for being a good steward of creation for it is indeed a majestic thing to be treasured and conserved. At the same time, I remain a global warming skeptic, and also wonder if it might not be a good idea to produce a calculator which one could use to determine one's immoral footprint. It may well be that this footprint has a far greater impact on the general environment than many realize.

I think this would be relatively easy to do. It could consist of just 10 questions:

1. On a scale of 1-10, to what extent do you covet your neighbor’s vehicles, toys, or spouse?
2. How many times in the last year have you disparaged a co-worker without sufficient basis?
3. How many times have you stolen in the last year, from big things down to pencils?
4. How many times have you been unfaithful to your spouse, either in deed or thought?
5. Have you killed anyone, or failed to be concerned about any killing going on around you?
6. To what extent have you dishonored your parents in the last year?
7. How frequently a month do you take a day off to rest, reflect, and recharge?
8. How many times in the last year have you used the Lord’s name inappropriately?
9. How many idols are there in your home? Flat screen TV’s may qualify.
10. In the last year, how many other gods have you put before the one true God?

For additional considerations please see Exodus chapter 20, also known as the Top 10 Reasons Humanity Needs a Savior.

I find it profoundly sad that a culture which can be so sure about the evils of carbon cannot pause even for a moment to consider the footprints of greed, selfishness, lust, pride, and envy - not to mention abortion.

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.” (Rom. 1:25)

election and the free offer of the gospel

"Joseph and Jacob", Friedrich Wilhelm Schadow

Romans 10:5-15
For Sunday, August 10, 2008
Proper 14

I find it interesting that just after Paul has taught about election in chapter 9 he now talks about free will in chapter 10. Election once again refers to the fact that no one can come to faith unless God chooses them. "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16). Yet now in Rom. 10:9 Paul writes of the free offer of the gospel: "... if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

How can both divine election and the free offer of the gospel be true? We don't know. What we do know is that Paul teaches both which suggests we ought to do the same. These two ideas are like two sides of a mountain whose intersection at the peak is obscured by a cloud. For Western minds, this is deeply troubling, because we want to categorize, harmonize, and therefore control all our bits of knowledge. Yet to force election and the free offer of salvation into our control would only diminish the gospel.

Our calling as followers of Christ is not to control but to trust and obey while proclaiming the gospel as it really is. It seems to me the free offer of forgiveness from a wild and powerful God is just what the world needs.