so that we may see, and believe You

The video below is a rather long one, but it's worth listening to in its entirety to hear Anne Rice's amazing testimony of how she left the faith, but was "Christ haunted" and how the Lord dragged her back to Him out of His great love. And if you don't want to listen to the full video, listen to the last two minutes. If you told me a decade ago that Anne Rice would one day preach the Gospel message, I wouldn't have believed you. But the Lord can save anyone. Anne and I are living proof.

he would not have allowed

The clip below is a pretty unique response to the answer of "Why does God allow suffering?" It doesn't answer the question so much as it reframes the issue. Many of the theological questions we ask are human-centric questions. The clip below reminds us that a better answer would be to understand the question from the eternal view.

began to argue with

The video below has been (or will be) making the rounds for believers. Nicely-produced video. Great arguments made by the little kid. Don't want to ruin it for you, but likely fictitious since the man the kid turns out to be has an unclear and conflicting testimony. Nevertheless, worth watching.

his house like the spider's web

The random video clip below shows a recent speech by Pope Benedict XVI wherein a spider (most likely a Prot spider) crawls all over him. I can guarantee the spider would have burst into flames if that had been JPII.

have been hidden from your eyes

In the last few days, Facebook friends of mine have been posting some petition to keep out apps that have the potential to read inbox messages -- just the potential, mind you. It reminded me of petitions against cameras on street corners, and complaints about federal wiretapping. A few years ago, there was discussion about GPS chip implants, allowing parents to be able to know where kids are at all times, and I remember thinking "That would be awesome!" And yet everyone around me was horrified that the government would soon have the potential to know where you are and what you're doing at all times. And I suppose I get why non-Christians would care about their privacy, but I don't know why believers do.

Unless you're at places you shouldn't be at (ex: adult bookstores), or doing things you shouldn't be doing (ex: getting drunk at a bar on the way home from work), what does it matter who knows? I don't care if people track me or read my emails. They'll see I lead a fairly boring life and do lots of stuff for church. And when I sin, then I sin. I'm not ashamed I'm a sinner. Even if the government isn't watching, God is watching. You do remember that, don't you, Luke?

I did hear one argument that if it one day becomes illegal to be a believer (that day is soon coming), and the government can track you, they can arrest you when they know you're gathering for underground church. But eventually even that argument is ridiculous. I'm ready to be persecuted for my faith, and to die for the sake of the gospel. Turns out most believers can say they would too, but when reality comes in the form of GPS chips and online apps, they shrink away.

little girl, I say to you

The video below shows that SCC is no longer trying to hide the fact that his one purpose is to make you weep uncontrollably. Mission accomplished.

for many years to come

Yesterday we sang a modern adaptation of a familiar hymn. And while I was worshiping, I couldn't get the name "Ancient of Days" out of my head. It reminded me of a contemporary song I sang during college Christian gatherings.

The term appears three times in the Book of Daniel (all in ch7) as he describes a vision he sees of God Almighty. And the term refers to the eternality of God. No matter how far back we can imagine time, or how far forward we can project it, God was and is and is to come. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses in John (ch8). The Pharisees accuse Jesus of having a demon, and then ask Him if He thinks He's greater than Father Abraham. When Christ tells them that Abe rejoiced to see His day, they laugh and point that Jesus is younger than fifty, and He thinks He's seen Abe? Jesus responds "Before Abraham was born, I AM."

Scientists foolishly chase after the age of the earth, as if by pointing out it's 4 million years old says something more than if it's 4000 years old. And then relatedly what does that say about God? Make it 4 zillion years old. That God you keep mocking is still beyond your reckoning.

therefore your whole body is

I've always been in relatively healthy physical shape, despite a diet consisting of primarily beef, cheese, sugar, and mac&cheese. But the past few weeks, I've been running and working out consistently almost every day. I've also changed breakfast from eggs to Cheerios, and been eating one serving at dinner instead of two. All of this extra attention to my physical condition has had one perverse side effect: I am weighing myself constantly and looking in the mirror way too frequently.

I've noted before that the world corrupts purity -- there is a fine line between lust/love, confidence/arrogance, justice-seeking/legalism -- and I think I'm crossing that line between being aware of my health and vanity. I can make the argument I'm doing this just so that I'll live longer for my family, but half the time I'm pretty sure I'm doing this all for washboard abs. And by the way, I don't buy that argument used by believers who love working out and eating healthily that 1Cor11:19-20 commands us to do so because the Spirit dwells in us. That has got to be as flimsy an argument as believers who defend gay rights by saying that God is love. I'm certain being a believer doesn't require a gym membership.

Not sure where I was going with this. Maybe just to let you know that tickets to the gun show are this way *flexes*.

their infants and they would not survive

Oh, my mercy, how did I ever miss the video clip below? Almost five months passed between when America's Best Pastor John Piper delivered the powerful message below, and when it hit my eyes and ears. I don't like anything about the state of MN, but the more I listen to Piper speak, the more I am considering moving to be a part of his church. I guarantee, I GUARANTEE I will do everything in my power to ensure this clip is shown next January to our flock. [Note: I agreed with every part of his message except where he says some of us wept for joy at the inauguration of the antiChrist.]

and being furiously enraged at

During yesterday's sermon, a point was made that I chose to exclude from my summary because I disagree with it. The preacher remarked that it is "never okay to be angry with God"; that there is no Biblical justification for it; that it represents an "unbelievable display of pride and arrogance"; and that being angry with God is an attack on God's sovereignty.

First, there are lots of things that are attacks on God's sovereignty. When we are disobedient, we are turning from His divine plans for us. When we complain about our circumstances, we are saying that God's ways aren't so cool. When we decide to be proactive and take our lives in our own hands rather than waiting on Him to open/close doors, we are going against His sovereignty. And while we are wrong in doing all these things, we have the freedom and right to do so.

Second, there are Biblical justifications for being angry with God. The book of Jonah, for example. Throughout the Gospels, the disciples often find themselves exasperated with Jesus. A whole crew of them leave following Him at the end of John6, for instance. Doesn't Moses grumble a bunch of times in Exodus? Point being, there are plenty of Biblical heroes who get upset with the ways of God. And make no mistake, it doesn't accomplish anything, and they are certainly in the wrong every time, but that doesn't mean it isn't okay to be angry with God.

God doesn't want stepford wives for followers. God gave us free will to act and feel as we please. And even when the feeling or the action is not righteous, we have the freedom to express them. And God wants us to empty our emotions with Him. If we do find something in our lives that troubles us, He wants us to share it with him in complete honesty and truth and sincerity. Is it better to react in praiseful acceptance no matter the circumstance? Sure. But make no mistake: the Lord wants you coming to Him, crying out to Him, arguing with Him. At least you are there with Him. The alternative -- lying to Him about how we feel, or hiding how we feel -- is worse. He doesn't want our deceit, and He doesn't want us to give Satan opportunities to sow discontent. Anger is a natural human response and emotion. And the last thing God wants us to do when we are with Him is to lose our humanity.

was worth a year's wages

I never watch the show Survivor, mainly because I hate people as a general rule, and hate listening to people speak. And reality shows exist by filming real people speaking. Except that the people who get chosen for these shows are in the top percentile of most annoying people to ever open their godforsaken mouths, oh why won't somebody kill them already so they never speak again?

Anyway, I was playing games on my iPod Touch while it was on for the wondrous one, and my ears perked up at the end when one of the finalists had to choose which of the other two annoying people he wanted with him in the head-to-head vote for a million dollars. And his choice was between an annoying waif who would be easy to defeat in a vote, or the annoying person whom he had promised to take with him to the end. Basically, he had to choose between an easy million-dollar win, or his integrity. I would've bet my house that he was going to sell out his integrity for a million dollars. Moment of truth: I'm pretty sure I would've sold my integrity for a million dollars. Lo and behold, he proved me wrong. Turns out that there are good people in this world, and sometimes they make good decisions in the face of potential criticism. And he won the million dollars. (Should I have said spoiler alert first?)

Happy ending for everyone except me. The happy ending for me would've been the studio exploding, and the world being nine annoying people smaller in number. Here's hoping for a happy ending next season.

with His disciples into the boat

I spent a recent post decrying believers flocking to see wholesome movies, so I won't be a total hypocrite and tell you to rent the movie Evan Almighty. But I will tell you that I was completely surprised by how well they captured the story of Noah's ark, and even more surprised by the accuracy of their perception of God's perspective on things. At the risk of spoiling the movie, I'll call out three particular instances:

Instance#1:
Evan meets God but doesn't know who He is just yet. And when Evan asks Him, "Do I know you?" God responds, "Not as well as I'd like"

Instance#2:
Evan, frustrated with all of the things being asked of him (the least of which is the building of an ark) asks God why He's doing all this to him (Evan). God responds, "Because I love you."

Instance#3:
God is explaining to Evan's wife about how God answers prayers, and says (rough transcript): "If you pray for patience, does God make you patient, or does He give you opportunities to be patient? If you pray for courage, does God make you brave, or does He give you an opportunity to be courageous? And if you pray for your family to be closer, does He make you feel all fuzzy inside, or does He give you the chance to stand beside each other?"

I still believe you shouldn't be searching for wholesome movies just to be entertained. But searching for a movie teaches you something about God and His nature while entertaining you? Maybe that's different. Or I'm a hypocrite. Either way, stop watching Miley Cyrus and HSM. They're stupid.

shall observe this rite

Been mulling over events of the past weekend, and we have it all backwards. By "we", I'm referring to us good evangelicals. Not the emergent folks, who are the spawn of Marc Driscoll and MTV (you know who you are). Back to my point: I love marshmallow peeps. Wait, that was my other point. Real point: we celebrate Holy Week all wrong. Here's the breakdown:

CURRENT EVANGELICAL TRADITION:
Maundy Thursday: Nothing
Good Friday: Believers' service
Holy Saturday: Nothing
Easter Sunday: Open invitation to believers, unbelievers, and nominal believers

WHAT TRADITION SHOULD BE:
Maundy Thursday: Last Supper celebration with a Passover seder/Communion
Good Friday: Unbelievers' service to introduce them to Calvary's cross
Holy Saturday: Worship night/believers' service
Easter Sunday: Believers' service -- celebration of victory
Monday after Easter: Bring me your leftover marshmallow peeps

to reconcile all things to

The video below is a little long, and it's fairly obvious what's going to happen. But I still find it a very effective visual, and a clear reminder of the finished work of the cross, of the satisfied wrath of God, of the complete work of Christ. Two more days till the Day He Loved Us Most. If you're not meditating on Calvary's Cross, you're not trying hard enough, Luke.

when once you have turned again

Saw an article about the video below on Beliefnet. I'd link it for you, but I try to refrain from sending you on to sites as ecumenical as they are. It gives me the shivers. In any case, love the ministry that PC4M is doing -- Christ-centered, open about their sinfulness, and testifying about their 180 through the Holy Spirit. If there's a better model of the Gospel, I haven't heard it. [Note: here's your warning: not a great video to share with youngest ones unless you have a predilection for explaining very adult concepts to them.]

you may have life in His name

I don't have anything else to say except the video below needs to be watched, and then forwarded to EVERYONE.

was still speaking, behold, a crowd

I previously posted some overheard airport conversations. Compared to what I overheard today, those snippets seem completely normal. One of the things that I love about The Office is main character Michael Scott. What makes him hysterical is how completely unaware he is of what he says and how it affects others. One might believe it is impossible to be that self-unaware and this morning's stint at the airport proves that to be wrong.

Sitting literally next to me, a man was on his cellphone speaking to his apparently estranged wife -- not softly, but loudly enough for anyone within 20-30 feet to hear him -- and having the following conversation:

"I can't believe we're having this conversation. I don't want to spend all day flying to get home to you and have the same arguments. (she speaks) Why do you believe that? I'm coming home to you aren't I? (she speaks) You're not going to be happy until I say out loud that I am choosing you over my kids, are you? I would never try to come between you and your kids. (she speaks) I'm coming home, aren't I? I'm your husband aren't I? I haven't hurt you, have I? Or at least much. (she speaks) I'm telling you I don't know. I'm going to hang up if you keep this up, Annette."

I could go on, but it went on like this for no less than 20 min. Loudly. With people around him snickering. It was all I could do not to snicker with them. Of course, I was too busy transcribing his conversation...

will open up to us

Because I travel frequently, I have a regular driver that takes me to and from the airport. She's reliable and courteous and a safe driver. Her one character flaw (at least the one I see) is that she is a compulsive liar. The first several times I used her, she kept telling me conflicting stories of the things that happened in her life. Now as someone who frequents cabs and car services, I understand why deceit might be the first option in conversation. I used to lie to cab drivers all the time whenever they picked me up and asked me what I did for a living (circus clown and speechwriter for Al Gore were my two favorite random responses). I saw this as a matter of personal security -- these people knew where I lived; why would I also tell them what I did for a living? Anyway, even with a regular driver, I am averse to getting too personal with what is going on in my life. So usually our conversations are fairly generic.

This morning, as a favor to the driver, I shared a ride to the airport. And the co-passenger -- apparently another regular for my driver -- spent half the ride chatting it up with the driver as if they were good friends. And sharing intimate details about where she was going and why and who she was seeing and her family and how she was feeling about seeing her mother, etc. It would be one thing to share all this with your ride to the airport, but to do it with a random stranger sharing the ride with you?

Maybe confession really is good for the soul. I don't know what is inside us that makes us want to divulge our lives to others so freely. Although come to think of it, why else be on Facebook?

has chosen the good part

I'm going to lose all my evangelical street cred by saying this, but I simply don't get Israel, or the Protestant love for Israel and Jerusalem and Jews. I haven't studied Scripture sufficiently, I admit, and I know mainline Prots will say something about God having a plan for His chosen people and how much He loves Jerusalem and blah blah blah. I have to be the least pro-Israel evangelical in the world, because I just don't buy it. And unlike some people, I'm not going to try to defend Israel for their recent behavior.

Listen: God doesn't "choose" all of the Israelites. Did He not choose between Cain and Abel? Did He not choose between Isaac and Ishmael? God doesn't "choose" based on race, but on faith. His chosen people are the spiritual seed of Abraham and Isaac and Moses and David et al. -- the ones that follow Him and believe in Him and seek to live for Him. And in my book, constant denial of the Messiah isn't overcome by their historical lineage. All you evangelicals can keep making the excuses you want to make for Israel; but that's why I no longer number myself among your ilk.

up on the mountain, and there

Well this was a surprise. Did NOT expect to be snow-shoeing to start the new year...