Walking The Beat

PALS

He was the Greek. Fun, funny, and fun-loving and one to not take everything so serious. Yet he could be serious. We rode together from time to time and had been in the academy together. We would have taken bullets for each other.

I later left to finish college and attend seminary. I believed then and I believe now that was God's call upon my life. But the Greek had another journey. He would stay and retire in 1999. Active in his Greek Orthodox Parish, his community, and one who loved his family and his Toni, this man had many, many friends.

There is something about friends from a police department. Many of them stay friends through the years. I left in 1972 and for the past few years from time to time I get a call from these guys. One of the more expressive of them always asks, "Are you still preachin'?" And when I say yes, his answer is still the same, "Well I'll be damned." Of course, I am praying he won't be. That is why I'm still 'preachin'!

A few months ago one who called and gave me Toni's number and sad news. Her beloved "Rock", as he was nicknamed, was losing his battle with a malignant tumor in the brain. Glioma, I think they called it. I called him. He laughed, asked if I remembered a couple stories - one that he tells on me - and we shared a moment of history as we moved away from the present. A few weeks ago some of them got together one last time. Toni had said, "We are going to par-tay and celebrate!" What a trouper she has been. I talked to all them by phone and could sense the "Rock" was weakening.

Sgt. T. S. "Rock" Moraites slipped into eternity last Saturday.

I am grateful to God for the privilege of knowing this man and these many "pals" who have stayed together from that particular recruit class. I suppose if one hasn't "been there" it is difficult to understand why one such as myself, so far removed, would be so touched by infrequent contacts from some of them.

Many of them will gather this Thursday to remember a life well lived and support a grieving family. I wish I could attend the funeral but I cannot. But I can pray for the family and I will.

I will remember a pal no longer here. And I will thank God for those remaining. Pals, as the movie character Billy the Kid says. But these pals, my pals, are on the right side of Law and Order. God bless them every one.

JOB'S FRIENDS, OUR FRIENDS, AND THE NEW COVENANT

I read and re-read Job. It is Old Testament poetry at its finest and as such finds its conclusion not in the story itself, but in the new covenant in the New Testament.

When one looks at the speeches of the friends, one can easily parallel them with some from our time. One can see a paradigm of existentialism, legalism, and spiritualism in them. I haven't really got Bildad nailed down yet, but the others do fit the three categories listed.

So what of Job? What of us? Into our lives often come people with existential, legalistic, and hyper-spiritual responses. Let's say something bad happens to you through no fault of your own.

Here comes the legalist (no, these are not in order of the characters - hey, you've got to be willing to do some digging on your own) who just knows you sinned. After all, nothing bad happens to people unless they have sinned. God would not do that or allow that to a "righteous" person.

Then there is the existentialist - always sharing from the base of his/her experience. I hear it in one who referenced a past position to almost every conversation. In fact, some of us used to put down minutes as to how far the conversation would proceed before we heard, "now when I was at....". Your current situation is always laid beside their experience. They live backward.

Last is the "Spiritualist" - "Brother, you just need to get right with God." No know-it-all like a spiritual one, is there?

Job is called upon by God to pray for these people. They were not really speaking for God. They were speaking for themselves and the worst deception of all had occurred: they thought they were speaking for God.

Human nature does not change. But at this point in the history of salvation, Christ and the New Covenant were yet to come. We live of the "after" side of the coming of Christ and the New Covenant.

So we learn in the NT that some do indeed suffer unjustly. Some suffer for Christ. Others "fill up what remains" in the suffering of Christ for the sake of the church. The references are many but the blog post is not a concordance. What shall we say?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Cor. 1:3-11 and the following few chapters words of wisdom regarding suffering and reconciliation. These are for our instruction. The inspired writings of Job are an example to us (1 Cor. 10). But here (2 Cor. 1-5) is how we are to "do life".

God comforts us in our affliction. One of the reasons is that we may offer comfort to others who are afflicted. Encouragement is a huge ministry to the hurting, regardless of the reason for the hurt.

We are cautioned in 1 Cor. 4:5 to not judge anything prematurely. Leave it in the hands of God.

Although human nature has not changed, ours has. For each of us who have embraced Jesus and believe in sufficiency of Scripture, there is purpose in any suffering. The level of the injury may indeed determine the length of the trial, etc., but by the grace of God we are comforted, and in our comfort, may indeed comfort others.

An immediate application is ministers who have experienced forced termination. Are you "beyond it"? There is help. And when you heal, and your family heals (and you will if you so choose), then God will use you to mentor and minister to others. Some you will never know. Your mentoring may be preventative. Others you will walk through the same valley again, only this time you will be the human comforter.

Job's friends are still with us. But thank God we live on this side of the Cross!!

DO YOU HAVE A JOB 42 PRAYER LIST? I DO.

I like to read Scripture in context, which means reading books of the Bible as quickly as possible. Recently I read through the book of Job. Then I read through Job again. A number of years ago I was doing research for my pastor and outlined the book of Job for him. As George Strait sings about an old girlfriend, "I wish I had that one back."

At that time, I viewed the book of Job as a book of on the problem of the suffering of the innocent. And, in some ways, it is. But I think it more a volume on the character and wisdom of God rather than solely on the suffering of the innocent.

Job 42:7-8  "After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has. Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you. I will surely accept his [prayer] and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has." (HCSB)

WHAT IS THAT??? Chapters 39-41 are what we would call an "interrogation" the likes of which are unparalleled in Scripture. God may be giving us a preview of the Judgment in his questioning of Job - and questions for which there are no answers. Job's reply and repentance in 42:1-6 are evidence that Job really had no clue as to the depth of the majesty of God.

I am intrigued that twice God tells these "friends" (we all have some of these) they had not spoken truth about Himself. He calls their diatribes 'folly' and calls them to repentance with an intercessor (Job). It is interesting that several times in the book Job laments there is no intercessor for him.

Let's see if I have that right. Job was indeed guilty, but not of sin nor bad theology. His was a faith issue. He questioned the wisdom of God. Have you been there? I have. I wish I could honestly tell you I haven't, but I have.

But Job's friends, who said his suffering was due to his unrepentant sin, had bad theology, and God nailed them for it calling it a lie!

No doubt we need good relationships and love is very important. But these relational friends were accused by God Himself of lying about Him. God's character is important and what you and I believe about God's character is crucial, even to our witness.

Faith is a personal struggle. God help us to come to the place where we can trust the wisdom of God in all of life's reverses. They do come, and that on a fairly regular basis.

Those had spoken ill of Job and had lied about God's character were required to come to the altar and offer a burnt offering. There Job would pray for them. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to bless those who despitefully use us and to pray for our enemies. We are to pray blessing, not imprecatory prayers.

Job's restoration was accomplished after he prayed for his friends (42:10). So again, do you have a Job 42 prayer list? I do. Some who read this may be on it. If so, from the depths of my heart, God bless you!

LIKE A ROLLING STONE

Is there a redemptive value in blogging? Why is it worth one's time to blog? And why should anyone read my blog or anyone else's?

Blogging is a fad for some. Some who at one time blogged now post notes on Facebook instead of blogging. No problem. To each his own. Others are up-to-date on every nuance of technology. I really do admire these folk, but I am not one of them. I'm still trying to learn how to prevent spam from coming through on my Blackberry.

Bloggers differ in their approaches. Whether informational, marketing, focusing on issues, preaching, or a simple comment or homily (I do that from time to time), each blog distinguishes itself by the thread of posts and comments. Think of a genre and there is likely a blog somewhere that fits it. Some say things well, others not so well. And some, who view themselves as "prophetic" (to be certain, some are) can also really get under the skin of those people and/or practices against whom they blog. But consider this.

In the Scriptures, prophets of truth seldom if ever got a second invitation and most of them didn't get the first. They were sent by God to deliver a message of truth to people who did not want to face their own sin. Sometimes sin is individual. Sometimes it is within the structures of society. Read Walter Wink's books on spiritual warfare. I do not agree with all of his exegesis and conclusions, but he is worth the read when dealing with the demonic in its relationship to structures of society, both religious and secular.

Prophets of old used the communication tools of their day. Those today do the same, which is inclusive of blogging. Some do go overboard in their criticism of personality rather than issues. Some prophets (and bloggers) might walk into a room and see a snake. Instead of taking a hoe, a rake, or some other tool and excising the snake, some simply dynamite the room! 

But for everyone serious about following Christ, the real question is how shall we live in such a way as to extend God's kingdom and not our own or another's agenda?

Speak truth. If you are reading a blog, ask the truth question. Relationships are important, but far too long truth has been sacrificed on the altar of relationship. Without truth, there is no authenticity and without authenticity we cannot achieve biblical community. Relationships can be utilitarian. Perhaps that is why much of the church in the West today is indeed, utilitarian, refusing to deal with real issues and encouraging constituents to just move on or fit in for the sake of the organization or some other larger-than-life entity that crushes all in its proud way.

What C. Peter Wagner and others identified as one descriptive principle of church growth called the "homogeneous principle" has now become prescriptive in many places. Translation: "We only want our kind here."

A number of years ago a young pastor had scheduled me for a revival meeting. He wanted to check me out. The Conservative Resurgence was in full swing in Southern Baptist life. He said, "I am Baptist born and Baptist bred, and when I die, I will be Baptist dead." Cute, but really stupid and utilitarian. And I am a Southern Baptist!! You see, it does not matter who you are in terms of denominational identity, if you are that sold out to anything other than Almighty God, His Word, your spouse and children, you are already dead as far as usefulness in the Kingdom of God is concerned.

Speak truth in love. The love chapter is still in 1 Cor. 13 and still inerrant, inspired, God-breathed. Think of it - the breath of God is His word (2 Tim. 3:16, "inspired by God" is literally, "God-breathed"). I often hear, "I just love you." Really? Read Paul's definition then talk to me.

Practice Matthew 18 in your relationships and stay out of that which you do not know and is not your business. Whether you are a leader, a wannabe, or like so many of us - just one of the common folk seeking to live and serve Christ, these words from Proverbs are helpful in determining character.

"A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends." Prov. 16:28, NASB

"Drive out the scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease." Prov. 22:10, ESV
"Drive out he scoffer, and contentions will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease." NASB

"For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down." Prov. 26:20

These are indeed words for all of us. But it seems there are some these days who are ready to destroy other people's lives. I have been on the receiving end of such activity. One's dignity and honor can be destroyed because congregations typically hear a word of criticism and seldom check it out for its truthfulness. Unfortunately, there are too many "friends" in low places who are unwilling to simply let people "be" and get on with their lives.

There is another verse from Proverbs.

"He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him." Prov. 26:27

I am praying and waiting. I determined long ago I would not call out people on my blog. I trust the Spirit to use whatever I may do or say to open hearts. Closed hearts will never be opened by man...only by the Spirit of God. And I am far from He. I do not know all that goes on inside someone else, and really struggle with all that inside myself (Jer. 17:9).

What I do know is "He who rolls a stone....". As my friend Freddie Gage has said, "There are no qualified stone throwers."

IT IS BEST...

The rain is cold and very wet. It is also much needed. And, perhaps the cold and wet day has also dampened other things.

Hopefully I can be vague enough to not reveal identities and yet specific enough to speak to the issue. God himself knows that there are certainly enough examples, so protecting identities may not be all that difficult. But I heard it again today.

"It is probably best he leave the church." That statement has been uttered about men and women who (1) have failed; (2) who have alienated someone; (3) who have disagreed with leadership or someone who thinks they are a leader; (4) who are different; (5) who are hurting and having difficulty working through the hurt, the loss, and the faith questions raised; (6) etc., etc.

I intentionally ended on 6 because that is the number of man, and 666 is the number of the anti-Christ. I did that because I believe none of the above to be the biblical response.

I last heard the statement uttered about a pastor having some difficulty. I am aware that there are certain situations, especially in willful and unrepentant sin, where the church must discipline. That is indeed biblical. And, there are situations where a leader (whether staff or otherwise) may need to step aside for a period of time or even find other employment in order to refresh, heal, deal with issues, etc.

But "it is probably best he leave the church"??? For Christ's sake, what is the church for? No, not at all taking the name of the Lord in vain. Seriously...For Christ's sake! What is the church here for?

Again, I am not talking of one living in willful and unrepentant sin. I am speaking of those who find themselves in situations not of their choosing and having difficulty working through it. I am speaking of those who just don't fit. They may not be "cool, man!" Or maybe they don't answer to "Hey dude!" They may have different tastes in music, they may or may not reflect your favorite worship pose, raise hands, close eyes, or shake their heads. And if a woman, she just may not be able to wiggle her backside in beat with the latest 4/4 hot worship song.

Now for those of you just offended, unscrew your halo a notch and think. By the way, each of those are real examples encountered more than once.

One elderly friend of mine whom I regard as a true hero said to me a few years ago, "we are worse than I have ever seen us." He is right. It is very popular in some places for new member classes to require the signing of a document that you will (1) tithe (2) attend, and (3)not cause trouble. I've not seen an example of one that asks people to sign that they will be great parents, share the gospel on a regular basis, pray, etc. But we sure do want them to sit up, shut up, and ante up.

Just when someone needs the people of God most, it is best they leave! And we seriously are having conferences on why church attendance is declining in America? You've got to be kidding me!

This thing we call "church" is messy. It is dirty. The church is a light and all lights attract bugs. And some days, we are all a bug.

Galatians 6:1 says "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you are are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

At what point will the church wake up and although it may have to make difficult leadership decisions or it may have to discipline members, it will not push people out but will say to them, "we love you enough to walk with you through this situation to the glory of God." When? Who?

I was reading in 1 Peter this morning. I highly recommend 1 Peter 3:8-4:11 in the NIV. I was reminded that my prayer life is connected to my attitude and behavior. A few years ago when our world had cratered we reached out to a couple. Instead of love, we got firehosed in a lecture that basically said, "Get over it!" I listened, then asked, "can you tell me how?" The answer? "I have no idea." The antithesis of Gal. 6:1. Well, we did get over it and we learned valuable lessons and the most important is that God is very, very faithful and our validation is from him, not people.

My pastor friend, I love you. This post has largely been related to how people in ministry are treated by others when they themselves have issues. But it was broadened to apply to other situations.

I quote an old E. Tennessee mountain preacher who said, "The reason most of these churches are so cold is because they have a polar bear in the pulpit." He was right. Let's us look in the mirror. Are we simply seeking to have trouble free congregations or are we about the ministry of Jesus? You ain't leadin' where you ain't been, dude! (See, I do know a few hip words).

I recommend something. Find a place of privacy, get on your knees, open your Bible to Psalm 51 and pray through it verse by verse. We often speak of preaching verse by verse. I also recommend praying verse by verse. Let God speak to you. Then go do what He speaks.

TOO LONG, SOON BACK

It has been an incredibly busy and productive 2009 thus far, so too much space between blog posts. Some things had to settle.

Yes, I am working part time with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. I'll tell that story later.

Last evening was the kick-off of the Evangelism conference. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder were great (he is a Baptists described by friends in his church as "the real deal"); speakers were Robert Jeffress and Jerry Vines, and Charles Billingsley led worship. This man is so very gifted and were led into the presence of God. About 3,000 in attendance and a warmth of Christian spirit I have not sensed in a large Baptist meeting in many, many, way tooooo many years. Lots of connections with old friends who actually care.

I'm reminded of what a friend of mine once related as the best advice he had ever gotten: "Find a hole and fish." I'm fishing again and it is just great. Thank God for grace and good friends who loved in spite of differences. Others talk about it, these folks live it. I'll blog about that some day as well.

So, it is early and I have a long day. You have a good one.

GRACE RECEIVED, GRACE GIVEN

At what point do you make significant changes in your life? And why?

The past few years have been years of learning lessons I would have preferred to learn in other ways. Actually, I would love to have a read a book on it or attended a seminar. But, alas, it came another way. And it has all been God's grace.

Cheryl and I have had to do some things we would not have chosen. In so doing, we have learned that God's provision is not always the elimination of struggle nor is it always to provide after something happens. Sometimes his provision is in advance. It has been so with us. In the process I learned in my heart what I knew in my head. God is sovereign (there's a lot more to that term than election) and everything I possess is from him and belongs to him. I have added to my prayer life a prayer for wisdom to know how to steward the resources God gives.

The nature of the ministry God has given me requires travel. I have been in many, many congregations in my ministry. I have noticed an obvious difference in the lives and attitudes of people in those congregations. You can see it in the hallway and hear it in the conversations.

Let's take this beyond salvation. We as people who follow Christ understand that our salvation is by the grace of God. No true Christian believes their salvation is earned. But let's take it to receiving God's grace after some type of failure.

Failure can be in many arenas. The most obvious is when one fails in sin. There is forgiveness and restoration. Another arena is when one fails in an effort. This is not sin. It is simply a failure. But very often God's grace brings solace, lessons learned, and another opportunity.

Here is the observable difference. The experience of grace becomes the talking points of the recipient. Somewhere in the conversation is a heartfelt and obvious gratitude for the grace of God. Sometimes that is in another chance, sometimes in forgiveness. But the person is settled, at peace, and Christ-focused.

Those who know about grace but have not really internalized that they need grace will mention it and give the obligatory tip of the hat. Then they are off to other things.

The friendliest people in church are those who live in God's grace. The most hateful and arrogant are those who live in their own works.

Some years ago I read that all the religions of the world can be summarized in two words: "Do" and "Done". This is indeed a simple understanding, but nonetheless accurate. We trust a risen Christ whose work of redemption on our behalf is finished and we enter that salvation and life by trusting him.

Those of us who have received God's grace should live and extend that grace. Freely we have received. May we freely give.

 

FACEBOOK, FRIENDS, and THOUGHTS OF A SPECIAL FRIEND

You can now find me on Facebook. Any "friends" out there?

Already I have connected with some very good friends from my school days. Awesome!

A few years ago Michael W. Smith (I think) recorded this tear-jerker of a song, "Friends are Friends Forever". The occasion was the moving of his next door neighbor. Of course, it came along at a time and for a generation that really made it popular. I have heard it at funerals as well as youth camps.

But it is true. Friends are friends forever if the Lord is the Lord of them. And this past week I have thought much about such a friend. I received a call from his wife telling me he did not have long to live. I shared the conversation with my wife. We had read a forwarded email about his condition just a few hours earlier. We thought it good for me to go see him.

This is a man I pastored in my first pastorate and was privileged to baptize. On Christmas Eve, I got up early and drove the 2 1/2 hours to the hospital where he lies tonight as his liver and heart fail him. We shared a smile, a touch, and a prayer with he, his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law.

You see, not much needed to be said. From my days in the pastorate until today this man and his family have done nothing but love me and my family. Not much needs be said. It has already been said.

Unless God does a miracle that in all honesty is not expected, this dear man will slip into the presence of his Redeemer in the next few hours or days. And I will have lost a friend on earth, but the afterlife will have a little more special meaning.

For those of you who know me, you likely think of me as "outspoken", "determined", or if you are really spiritual, you might even think of me as a "prophet". One fellow who black-balled me for the interim pastorate of a church characterized my life as a failure. Most people like to put folk like me in a cage, take us out when you need us, then put us back in the cage. You see, we are not people please-rs. And most people like to be pleased. We do not intend to be rude or unkind. We simply work better with people who are up front and open. Yes is yes and no is no. It isn't our role to prop up your ego or bite every time you fish for a complement. Authenticity is valued. Truth is valued, even sometimes above relationship. Not ugly truth, but an honest reply.

And my friend loved me in spite of all my faults. As I spoke with his wife, I asked her, "Are there any land mines I need to step around." She said, "Ted, you've never stepped around anything. Don't start now." They love me in spite of what some may perceive as flaws. In fact, they see some of those "flaws" as strengths. I take comfort in that.

I will miss my friend. We never saw each other very much these past years. My life in denominational work kept me either in the office or on the road, and that hindered some mighty important things. But we didn't have too see each other all the time. When we did, we simply picked up where we left off. Much of the good that God has done in my life is the result of some things he and his wife put into my and my wife's life while in that pastorate. I have not nor will I ever forget.

Today we were treated to lunch by other friends after I spoke at a church in Denton. A couple who are our friends had joined that church. They are older and have encouraged us for years. As we said good-bye, they said, "we pray for you". They really do. Every day someone who loves us is praying for us. What a blessing!

Forgive me for being a little melancholy in this post. Friends are a bit more special tonight. So I am doing Facebook, blog, and other ways of connecting with friends.

You, my friend, are special.

I AM BLESSED

It has been almost one month since I last posted. In that time I was quite busy completing all of the edits, etc. to meet requirements for my dissertation to enable a December, 2008 graduation.

That process is an education in itself. I think it similar to fine tuning a race car. What would be a perfectly logical and efficient engine for me would likely not be sufficient for a seasoned mechanic. The same with a dissertation.

But I am happy to report that while mine will likely not be encased in glass somewhere in the halls of the seminary, it did pass. I am blessed and grateful.

The D. Min. has been significantly "upgraded" in expectations. For one such as myself - older and coming back into the program - it is a challenge. Yet I found the professors helpful and understanding. President Patterson extended grace by allowing me to re-apply for re-admission to the seminary and the program. The committee extended grace in accepting me.

One may or may not agree with everything every professor says. But my experience was that it is not an indoctrination. It is an education and I am very proud and thankful to God and all involved for the privilege.

I am especially thankful to my wife, my children, and my mother. They know why.

Later this week I will get back to blogging on other issues. But for tonight, I wanted to explain the absence and to acknowledge I realize I am blessed. And I am thankful.

THRIVING IN A TIME OF SURVIVAL

I purchased Tim Keller's new book, The Prodigal God, which is based upon what is normally referred to as the parable of the prodigal son. Keller uses the term "prodigal" as an adjective to describe God because the word means (1.) recklessly extravagant and (2.) having spent everything.

I am two-thirds through the book. Recently I made a statement to my wife that it had been far too long since I had heard a sermon or read anything that simply gripped my heart. I hear and read good stuff, but sense little if any anointing of the Holy Spirit or the Spirit's conviction.

Not so any longer. Yesterday as I read Keller's book, I found myself leaving my favorite coffee shop to find a place of privacy for meditation. For the first time in a long time, the tears were not tears of grief. They were tears of joy for what God was doing in my heart through this wonderful book.

I have read other blogs that comment on this book. The ones I have read seem to quote the same quote regarding the church. That isn't what captured me. I was captured by Keller's exposition of the elder brother. Too often, I have had similar attitudes. God is gracious to allow one to see himself/herself in the pages of Scripture.

The stocks continue to tank. The election of Obama has not halted the global slide. Pessimism and fear are prevailing attitudes.

I am reading through the "sin lists" of the New Testament. In Romans 1 the wrath of God is revealed against all the godlessness of human beings who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness. God has revealed himself and people suppress the truth by their wickedness. Three times in the remainder of the chapter it is said that "God gave them over to their sinful desires".

This chapter discusses sexual sin. But in the downward progression of wickedness that suppresses the truth of God, Romans 1:29-32 also includes envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slanders, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventing ways of doing evil, disobedience to parents, no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy, and they continue to do all of these knowing God's righteous decree and even approve others who practice the same. These are discussed in the same context as sexual sin and perversion.

The saddest of all is that God Himself gives people over to their favorite brand of sin when they suppress His truth. Romans 2:1 tells us we have no excuse when we judge others because in so doing, we are condemning ourselves. Now that is sobering.

Keller points out that lostness can be the extreme of the younger son who demonstrated his rebellion against the Father through his own desire for self-discovery or that of the older son who demonstrated his rebellion against the Father through a moral conformity that tried to control the Father. Either way, neither of the sons knew the Father's heart.

The root sin in Romans 1 is the suppression of God's revelation (truth) of Himself which leads to exchanging his truth for a lie. When one does that, one begins to live a lie.

Dependence upon the creations of man will not allow one to thrive when others are trying to survive. I have no crystal ball. I do not know what the stock market will continue to do nor do I know what the next four years of an Obama presidency will bring. But I know this. So long as the people of God trust their own devices and creations, we suppress the truth of God in our unrighteousness and God will give us over to our own desires. And they will destroy the very things we built.

Do you have an elder brother spirit? Keller characterizes the spirit of the elder brother as (1.) being angry and bitter when life doesn't go as you want; (2.) one who has a strong sense of his own moral superiority; (3.) one who has a joyless, fear-based obedience; and (4.) a lack of assurance of the Father's love.

To fully grasp the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is to grasp the love and acceptance of God in Christ and to live one's life out of the perspective of grace. Paul gave a laundry list of sinners in 1 Cor. 6:9-10. He then says "And this what some of you were" (1 Cor. 6:11). These were people who knew they needed grace and they not only received His grace in Christ, but lived out of that relationship. Little wonder the Apostle almost blurted out (Gal. 6:14), "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...".

God's grace and God's kingdom are more than reciting a prayer that gets you "in". In fact, if that is all one has done, that one may not even be "in". Far too often ministry is more about ourselves than God.

Are religious institutions created for God? Or are they created for ourselves?

I once heard Leighton Ford tell of meeting Mother Teresa. He observed her ministry among the diseased and dying in the poorest district of Calcutta, India. He asked her, "How do you do it?" Mother Teresa replied, "We do our work with Christ, for Christ, and to Christ."

When this becomes the heart motive of we who profess Christ, I believe we will experience one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in history.

P.S. added: Regarding the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, Mart De Haan has an excellent post here.