has really risen and has appeared

I surprised you with multiple Cruise references, and even a double dose of Ben Stein. You think that will prepare you for a NASCAR reference? With a headline like that, it shouldn't surprise you.

That word -- "resurrect" -- is used rather casually by people. They speak of it in reference to careers that need a spark, to stalled projects at work, to failing businesses, to relationships being restarted. We see Frankenstein and think of monsters being brought back to life as a plotline.

But the profound nature of such an impossible act should never be taken casually, and should never lose its wonder. There is no grander miracle than death made life, none grander. Death is the end of the road, the absolute final stop. And to suddenly reverse course is not something common, or something plain. It is the most shocking reversal possible.

Never lose the wonder in relation to that word. A lamb on a cross paid for that word, made it the special word that it is.

and the meaning of this statement was hidden

Maybe Paul has some special power being the greatest of the apostles and all, I don't know. But I don't know what to make of his statements in 1Cor5. In v3, he talks about judging someone from afar. In context, it doesn't seem to me that he's using the word "judge" as if he has chosen some adjective, but rather some actual consequence or status. Then in v5, he discusses delivering up sinners to Satan.

How does one deliver another up to Satan? In our original sin state, we are already his. We have need for rescue. That's what the whole cross thing is about. Delivering another back to their original master, what's that mean -- getting him on the phone and filing a complaint? Attaching some spiritual return-to-sender stamp?

But then Paul reverses himself in the second half of that verse, stating that his intent in delivering up the one to liar is for saving his spirit on the last day. Not sure I get this whole body-spirit dichotomy. Frankly, the only reason I'm curious as to these verses' meaning is if this is some untapped power -- delivering others to liar -- sign me up for that.

He has lost His senses

1Cor4 has a great description of Paul. In his own words in v10, "We are fools for Christ's sake". That is his ministry. He is a fool. And he is not ashamed of his position or his actions for God. First, he knows that the foolishness of God is still greater than the wisdom of man. Secondly, he knows that all people, all people are morons. Because they innately wish to leave the Lord who loves them to seek after pointless things of this world; because they willingly turn their back on truth. Our internal nature is foolishness. So if you're going to be a fool anyway, be one for the Lord.

Thirdly, it captures the essence of this great faith: ours is a faith of ridiculous love. I wrote briefly about it earlier. His love for us makes no sense. Our love for others should make no sense. When confronted with senseless love, trying to make sense of it only points to God.

Fools? Yes. Certainly. Me especially. What ambition to want to be the fool.

nor will any be missing

You need to ask yourself this question? Time is like all of the MSM -- they hate the Lord. The times they headline an issue about top evangelicals or an Easter special is meant to sell issues to the pews, and not because they are trying to be either balanced or respectful. I don't even like Saddleback, and I know that Ricky needs to be one of the 100. Benedict, yes. As long as you're including entertainers, might as well throw in Osteen, liar's son.

Want to see an interesting issue, MSM? Check out the Lord's Top 100 when you're before the throne. Oh, that other thing with pages? That's the Book of Life. You won't be listed in that one either.

teach the way of God in truth

"Who Is Jesus Christ?"
* Did Constantine upgrade Jesus' status?
- Council: event of church leaders to discuss challenges to faith (ex: circumcision discussion in Acts)
- Reaffirmed or denied: not created
- Testimony of church fathers: Ignatius, Clement, Irenaeus, Tertullian, et al -- prior to Nicea, Christ is Lord
* How do we know?
- Name & Divine Character
- Works {John1:3, forgave sins, raised dead, et al}
- Claims {John5:21-22, John14:9, John10:25-30, John14:14}
* Most notably, by His resurrection
- 1Cor15:14-19: useless faith sans resurrection
- Death confirmed by secular historians, Roman soldiers, wounds
- Burial confirmed by secular historians
- Empty tomb confirmed by Jews; debate over how, not whether or not
- Followers confirmed His rising
- Disciples transformed (martyrs)

different, and His clothing became

Ordinarily, I'd rip an artist whose songs I think are cheesy or try too hard. The case can almost be made for this to fall into that category. And I'm not saying it isn't in that category now, or will one day end up in that category. I'm just saying that for today, I didn't find it that bad. Faint praise, indeed.

I think I'm more attracted to the idea of the song than the actual execution. Much has been made of the fact that Lord hung out with the rabble and the outcasts. And the lyric "my Jesus would never be accepted in my church" is a profound one. That message can't be repeated enough -- that all you so-called "houses of worship" steeped in dollar bills while frowning upon those with lesser means would surely have missed His first coming.

I'd be careful with taking that too far, though. It's a cultural thing. Lord came to those who were sick. That explains His hanging out with outcasts then. Now, though? The wealthy and the intellegentsia would surely fit that bill, seeing as how they routinely turn their back on faith. My guess is that they are among the neediest lot around, calling for a physician as loud as anybody. Perhaps He'd make a quick stop there first after all.

of time it has never been heard

Today is the National Day of Prayer. You'd think I'd be completely behind it, as almost nothing is of greater importance to your walk than prayer. If it weren't for worship, I'd be more unequivocal. But prayer, yeah, it's up there.

Then why no love for it? Lots of reasons, brother.

First, you have the notion of scheduling a day for prayer. You might think it's sending the message that prayer is so important, you're carving out your schedule to honor the practice. Nope. More like this. Lord needs your all. Unceasing, remember? A day is simply an insult.

Secondly, these things always work the same way -- asking for stuff. Asking for blessings. Asking for protection. Asking for guidance and strength. And where's the praise? And where's the repentance? And where's the conversation with your Beloved One? This only serves to weaken common knowledge of true prayer.

Lastly, your theme this year is "America, Honor God"?! You have to have a slogan for that to happen? How insulting to Him that you schedule a day out of your busy, busy life to spend time with Him and you have to tie a string around your finger to remember to honor Him.

I'll tell you how best to honor Him. Cut out the nonsense activities like this entire day.

the father knew that it was

I can't tell you how much this sudden news affected me. Not as a golfer, nor as a Tiger fan, but as a believer and as a son. As a son, there is something I relate to in the way Tiger adored his father for making him the person he is today. Years after the fact, a son can understand the discipline and sternness and sacrifice used to shape a character. I appreciate that about my father in the same way Tiger appreciates it in his father.

As a believer, there are parallels between the Father and His Son, and the Father and all His children. Tiger never stopped talking about his father. Tiger knew that everything he had was because of his father. Tiger loved his father unswervingly.

Lessons here. Learn them, self.

testify of the wrong

This is only going to get bigger in the days to come. Jenkins wants to portray the pope as the anti, but he's seen nothing till he sees a Mormon as President of the world's most powerful nation. The article towards the end quotes a Slate piece that says that "religious voters care more about core values than theological minutiae".

Mormons and Evangelicals don't disagree over "minutiae". That's the understatement of the millennium. That's like calling Mt. Everest a bit of a slope. The difference between Mormonism and Christianity is the same size as the difference between atheism and Christianity. They are not overlapping circles.

Romney can make whatever PR statements he wants. The press will cover this as they cover all religion -- badly. But the bride of Christ can NOT be fooled by this issue. Clinton over Romney? Yes, a wicked "believer" (I use that loosely here) over a non-believer any day of the week.

everything, to stand firm

Almost a year since I penned this, and he's still all over the airwaves, and not for positive things. It is strange that the culture buys into this image of his having completely lost his mind.

He speaks publicly about his faith, so we see him as crazy. He has the audacity to defend his beliefs, so he's insane. He views everything through the lens of his religious perspective, so he's completely nuts.

That's not insanity; that's faithfulness. Yes, faithfulness to a misled faith, no question. But faithfulness nonetheless. Would that all so-called believers spoke publicly of their own inwardly-held beliefs. Probably not a surprise at all, then, that the culture doesn't embrace him. Not a surprise at all.