Walking The Beat

STRENGTHENED IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD

Have you ever wanted something so bad, prayed so hard, believed, and when it seemed all was going well, it was so good you were stunned with momentary fear and doubt? I have experienced that.

Cheryl finished her chemo and had an MRI to compare with the MRI prior to beginning treatment. The news was exceptional! The tumor has decreased by approximately 80%. The Oncologist cannot feel the tumor and this has been true for several visits. Her words were "You should have a real big smile on your face. This is excellent!" By every measurement, Cheryl has responded to treatment beyond medical expectation.

Our next appointment was a week later with Cheryl's surgeon.  We had not seen him since the beginning of the journey. He came in, did a physical exam, and could not find the tumor! He had reviewed all the results of the previous tests and treatment. 

We were fully expecting a mastectomy with reconstructive follow-up surgery. He looked at Cheryl, smiled and said, "Why don't we go in there as soon as we can, do a lumpectomy, radiate, and you'll be finished by Halloween." Say what??? What about the mastectomy, reconstruction, etc.? Oh yeah - answered prayer!

Both doctors have consulted together and are on the same page. They believe for several positive reasons this is the best path of treatment and nothing is compromised by this path. One said what is left showing on the MRI may be scar tissue. So, August 11, Cheryl will have a lumpectomy removing enough tissue to leave a safe margin and be followed by radiation and medication.

We were encouraged at our church last Wednesday. One of our very good friends had similar treatment 10 years ago and she is cancer free.

We were surprised and thrilled. But is it real? We have prayed for this. You have prayed for this. Is it happening? Is that doubt? If we doubt, will it compromise faith and her healing?

All of us in our family are trusting God and very grateful for all He is doing and for your prayers. Here is my own journey.

I had initial doubts. It can't be this smooth, can it? Then a bit of anger. Anger at my own doubt and even wondering if any questions were doubt. Of course that is ridiculous. I believe God expects us to be prudent and any work He does will not be hindered by our being wise and prudent. Honestly, I look back and think I was afraid one of us would do something to tick God off and Cheryl wouldn't be healed.

THANK GOD FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PROMISE OF JESUS in John 16:13, "He will guide you into all truth." One aspect of that truth is the true character of God. His ways are not childish.

I reflected on that first Midnight hour when the Spirit woke me, and over and over I was hearing in my spirit, 'if you ask for a fish, will he give you a serpent?'. That is when we first began to call this cancer "the snake", and said we were on a snake-killing path.

The answer to most prayer, or at least the foundation on which to stand, is in the Scriptures. I am amazed at the bizarre logic of moderates and liberals who say the doctrine of the Inerrancy of Scripture is not a major doctrine. How would one ever know any truth without the authority of God's written Word?

As I worked through my own feeling, I believe the Holy Spirit brought to mind several Scriptures that helped and again assured me of the love and faithfulness of God and that indeed, this is a snake and God is going to kill it.

Jesus looked at Simon Peter and said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked ('demanded', ESV) for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail:..." (Luke 22:31,32 NKJV).

Isn't that great? At the very moment Simon was going to go through his greatest test, and fail, Jesus was praying for him. At the moment Simon's faith would be at it's weakest, the intercession of the Great Intercessor would be at it's strongest on Simon's behalf. And so it was with me. The value of the promise of God given early in the journey would not be negated by a momentary lapse on my part.

Then I thought of Rhoda. In Acts 12 Peter was in jail. The church was in prayer for his release. He was released and went to the house where the church was praying. Rhoda, a servant girl, answered the door, recognized his voice, and was so excited she forgot to open the door! She ran back inside and told the praying church that Peter was at the door. What did this faith community say? "It is his angel." 

They were praying and when the answer came, were so astonished they thought it could not be true! So God got really angry and put Peter back in prison. Not true. The church grew and the persecutors were confused.

I remembered a text of a sermon by one of my father's old friends. "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God." (Romans 4:20, NKJV)

I and we are praising God for these excellent reports and for his strengthening in a momentary question, "Is this really happening"?

It has been so long and we are very tired. Very. Cheryl is beginning to regain strength from the devastation of chemo. I'm sort of numb. We are at half-time and we are leading. But there is a lot of game to play. We are very grateful for your continued prayers. I am confidently praying the lab results from the surgery will reveal the snake is dead!

My next blog post in a few days will begin to focus on areas of ministry. Thank you for your love and prayers.

DETOUR

"I suppose this will change our lives", I said to the radiologist. "No, it is a detour". She began to explain how.

A simple routine and annual mammogram ("mammogrammies", as our Ethiopian friend called it) had shown something not good in Cheryl's breast. Something had grown. The letter advised to return for another mammogram and a sonogram. Then a recommendation to see a surgeon for a biopsy.

I can't count the times we have prayed for people who have made this same announcement. Little did I know what was welling inside them physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We asked God to let us get the surgeon of choice whom we had recommended to others (because of his success with an in-law's surgery). We had seen the positive results of his skills and compassion.

We decided to tell our church. I guess the only church family we have is temporary, where I am interim pastor. Our membership is elsewhere, but because of the ministry God has given me, we are not there. So, our "interim" family is the one we have with skin on. And they are awesome indeed. 

Each step moved us along. See surgeon...walk down hall for biopsy...talk to radiologist...wait...get phone call, "I'm sorry to tell you it is cancer"...come in the afternoon and early evening for other tests...another test Monday..."This is a big cancer"..."We can win this". Say that last thing again, because we are very frightened..."we can win this." 

So, we see the Oncologist Thursday morning and at present a port will be implanted on Monday morning. We will gain more clarity in our visit with the Oncologist.

Cheryl and I have prayed, cried, read Scriptures and begun the detour together with our children, grandchildren, and in-laws. The pain, questions, concerns, fears, etc. we have seen in the eyes of others are now in our eyes. We are not alone nor are we in the worst shape. 

When we received news she needed to have another mammogram, I began to search the New Testament for every text and context on healing. Did you know that there is no record of Jesus refusing anyone who came to him? So, we prayed for healing. It was not - at least at this time.

I began to cry out to God. Tests were Friday with one more to come Monday. I went to bed Saturday night and was awakened after midnight thinking, 'if you ask for a fish, will he give you a serpent?' I got up and found the verse in Luke 11:11 and the context in Luke 11:1-13. We came back home Sunday afternoon from worship. I shared with Cheryl the verse I had awakened with. That verse in the narrative says "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake instead?"

So, at least for me, I am calling this "the snake". It is poison and it needs to be killed. I won't argue the theology at this point but just know that our desire is to "glorify God".  I am reminded of the John 9 passage. The man's ailment was not due to either his sin or that of his parents. But the glory of God was the display of the work of God in his life. God's work was to make this man whole. 

We are believing that God will display his work in Cheryl's life and the lives of the family as he makes her whole. We began the year by asking God to help us get healthy this year. We joined a fitness center and started working out. We both had our "Wellness" exams. Little did we know what detour that desire to 'get healthy' might take. But here we are.

And so we begin our detour. I may get Cheryl to blog her own journey. From time to time, I will be posting some updates here.

We deeply desire your prayers. And we thank you in advance for praying and for caring.

THOUGHTS ON HAITI

My friend Joel Engle posted a note on Facebook in which he disagreed with the statements by Pat Robertson's comment concerning the reason the earthquake hit Haiti. If you are on Facebook, this link should get you there.

Let me affirm that I do agree with Joel and I disagree with Pat Robertson. I also posted a comment on Joel's update, and it was a bit long. So Joel, apologies for hijacking your note, :), and I will re-post my comment here.

I have found Romans 8:2 - 'the law of sin and death' to be helpful. The wages of sin is death. When Adam and Eve sinned, death and destruction entered this world. Thus we live in a world cursed by sin. Bad stuff happens to both the sinful and the righteous. Christians get killed in earthquakes same as pagans. Thank God for the hope of the Gospel - there is coming a time when God will make all things new (Rev. 21:5). Until then, the whole creation was subjected to futility and groans (Romans 8:18-30).

Indeed God judges sin and sinners. But it is extremely reckless and manipulative, if not stupid, to assign every unexplainable event to God's judgment. That is insurance theology ('act of God'), not Biblical theology.

Tragedies are just that - tragic. Our thoughts, prayers, and assistance are with the nation of Haiti and the Haitian people. Yes, it is reported that over 50% of them practice some form of voodoo. I pray that Christians will so respond with help that these dear people will see something of Jesus and their hearts be opened to hear the Gospel and believe.

I am sure your local church is in a reputable network. If not, here are three that will use every penny you give with wisdom and integrity - here, here, and here.

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!!

DOES INCONVENIENCE REVEAL CHARACTER?

Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men... . I don't know about the mice, but this man has had his whole week's plan skewed by the storm last night in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Sigh...

My wife and I were with friends and colleague to make a visit to a local church. No one showed. We stood in the parking lot visiting and waiting. We saw the storm approaching. The sound of a mighty rushing wind was immediate and the results obvious: Instantly a wooden sign in the lot was picked up and hurled across the hood of a westbound driver in a small BMW. Barely missed the auto and I certain all the driver saw was a blip.

The storm was to the north (where we live). We stayed south, but we spoke with a neighbor. When we returned home, the electricity was out, a huge tree limb (no trees like this one in our neighborhood) was at our driveway. We were fortunate. No fences down nor shingles off the roof.

So this a.m. we again drove into Colleyville for breakfast. A lady (recognized as the wife of a local physician) was commenting to two girls of high school age: "We've been without electricity for 14 hours. This is ridiculous." My thought was, "Lady, why don't you go get a chain saw and help these guys clear the power lines of the downed trees and limbs?"

Another conversation was overheard at our favorite coffee shop. Not quite the same tone, but a lot of frustration expressed.

Now get the picture: Two teen-age girls with fashionable rubber boots, shorts, one a Paris Hilton hair style, etc., etc.  and a lady driving a high dollar vehicle, well dressed (casually), sitting in a restaurant along with my wife and myself, eating breakfast and complaining about no electricity.

All of us had a vehicle with gasoline. We could travel. All of us had the money to eat in a nice place. We were not hungry. All of us have optional places to go temporarily for air conditioning. We did not have to be uncomfortably hot. We have beds. Most of our homes did not experience great damage and if they did, we do have some insurance.

But in this world, local world in which we live, there are people without air conditioning. There are people who cannot go to a restaurant to eat. Some with housing insufficient to withstand storms lose their homes, clothing, etc.

My wife volunteered at our church's new ministry, 6stones. Many people in the Mid-cities area of DFW have physical need and many people are sensitive to those people and their needs.

But too many others reveal attitudes where"entitlement" and cool" seem to be prized above all else. If a small inconvenience of an electrical outage brings out this kind of attitude, then what happens if real tragedy strikes? And can we suffer in community as did our parents and grandparents during the Great Depression and WW2?

I have a friend who recently lost her 8 year old grandson to a brain tumor. I suspect they would gladly burn a lamp if they could exchange electricity for that child's life. Others have lost jobs, retirement benefits, etc., etc., etc.

Do we have the collective character to suffer together, if necessary? Or are we so fractured that many only look out for themselves?

As others have said, "I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, and I work for a non-profit." But here goes. The face of the globe is changing. The face of this nation is changing. I do believe we are in the end times. This does not require fear on the part of believers. Rather, it will call for every ounce of true Christian character we possess. It is time to seek the Lord and reflect His image in all we do and say.

YES - I am back to blogging! :)

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.

I LIVE WITH A PROPHETESS!! SHE CALLED IT! :)

This morning as Cheryl and I were watching the news, I asked, "Did you ever think we would live to see our nation elect an African-American as President?" She said, "Yes, four years ago." And I remembered. We typically watch both political party's major speeches during their conventions. When she heard Barack Obama's speech, she said, "That man will be President one day." And he is to be inaugurated as such January 20, 2009.

That this is a historical moment is perhaps an understatement. Although I am more conservative than Mr. Obama in both politics and theology, I am very grateful to see enough of our nation overcome racial divides sufficient to elect a non-Anglo to the highest office in the land. I remember when my southern high school integrated. Our school was able to do so without any violence. I cherish that heritage and also this historical moment.

Being the independent thinker that I am (I don't claim to be one of genius intelligence; I just reserve the right to do my own thinking rather than let others do it for me) often gets me in trouble, especially among those who live their lives in fear or who are in a contest to be the fourth person of the Trinity. But for others, they accept me as the human follower of Jesus that I am and we can have great dialog.

As a Christian it is my privilege and responsibility to pray for whoever occupies the civil leadership of our nation. We in the United States have the right of appeal as free citizens. We Christians should be able to give a reason for our beliefs. Therefore the exercise of good citizenship is expected. However, we must be people of truth and reject lies and disparaging innuendo against those who do not share our beliefs or opinions. We are to be Christian in every sense of the word. That means we pray for all and protest only with truth. Mr. Obama gives testimony of being a follower of Jesus. He is a brother and only Jesus can judge otherwise. So don't fall into the trap of those with agendas who would use Christians as fodder for their own agenda. Read, think, pray. "The king's heart is in the hands of the Lord"(Prov. 21:1, NIV).

But back to the "prophetess". How do you function in your marriage? We are committed to the sufficiency and truth of the Scriptures. I do use the word "inerrant" (Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy) to describe the nature of Holy Scripture. This is a double-edged sword for those who believe the Bible. One is that where Scripture speaks, it is authoritative and if we are serious, we should seek to obey. The other side of that is where Scripture does not speak, we should not attempt to make our cultural and religious opinions authoritative. Here there is freedom. Deuteronomy 29:29, (ESV) is helpful: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

A good marriage is always a work in progress. Two people, usually different personalities and often different backgrounds fall in love. They are typically young and the body has yet to "backslide". Their dreams are ahead of them. They can make love all night, not realizing that what they can do all night will one day take all night! But there are some things they haven't done.

They likely have not considered the biological family of their intended spouse and asked the question: "Will he or she be like that when they are that age?" They have not looked at the behavioral patterns, sin patterns, the strengths and weaknesses, or the disease and dysfunctions that are patterns in the biological family of their intended. They honestly believe they will be "different". They have their own dreams, so they begin.

But life often comes from our blind sides. Ahhh, those tests. Those unexpected "worse" parts of our wedding vows. The biology kicks in and despite our best efforts we begin to exhibit some undesirable traits of our heritage and genes. Do you remember the first time you heard yourself saying something to your children or spouse that your parents used to say and you swore an oath that you would never say that? Or the first time you looked in the mirror and then looked away?  :)

One has some options at these points. Although not at all God's desire, it is too easy in this country to simply walk away for less than biblical reasons. I am referring to choosing the path of least resistance when the challenges come. This is sometimes encouraged by culture, friends and family. It is often a regrettable decision and carries it's own baggage. But some do choose this option.

Another option is to buy into the "role" legalism. We speak a lot in marriage about role. But it isn't a biblical word. It is one of those "opinion" rules. In fact, it is not even used in the NIV, KJV, or ESV. It is used twice in the NLT and neither refer to the family. Role can be a helpful word. It can be a reminder of certain responsibilities each of us have. But if used as a scorecard, it is not helpful in a marriage relationship and is often the parent of resentment. Almost every scorecard keeps a record of errors, and I Corinthians 13:6 reminds us that love "keeps no record of being wronged" (NLT).

I believe a better way is to use the word relationship. We are not in a perfect world and it is likely a good thing that when young and in love we do not analyze everything in one another's biological family. Who would survive such critique?

The word "relationship" is a biblical word and is used in various translations in both the Old and New Testaments. It is used in some passages in the context of family. I believe the translators have been wise at this point. Marriage is a relationship. Relationships have the possibility for growth as well as for failure. Relationship has responsibilities and requires sacrifice. Relationships cannot exist in a vacuum. One must give of himself or herself in order to achieve a successful relationship.

The years have given Cheryl and I some great joys and we anticipate more. We have had some pretty tough knocks as well. We have learned from them. And I have grown from the "Role" emphasis of marriage to the "relationship" emphasis. In that relationship we see all of the components of a biblical marriage. And it is good and growing. And although I am the outspoken one, I have found in her soft words wisdom. Is this not a part of being in the image of God and "one flesh"?

My encouragement to you going through difficulty is this. Don't give up to any except God. Today is NOT tomorrow and God will carry your through. Respect one another enough to fail with them. Some of the greatest of our history experienced many failures prior to achieving their life's success. Abraham Lincoln is just one example. Moses is another. John Mark another. So was Simon Peter. I affectionately refer to him as "Peter the Cable Guy". He was somewhat of a Galilean "redneck".

God will honor you and bring you through. I do like the old spiritual, "I'm goin' through, yes I'm goin' through. I've started in Jesus, and I'm going through." May all of us go through together!!

WELCOME 2009!!

2009 is here, but in case you missed the festivities, you may celebrate the Chinese New Year which begins January 26, 2009. In the Chinese accounting, 2008 was the year of the Rat and 2009 is the year of the Ox. In the Chinese mythology, people born in the year of the rat "are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful."

For some, 2008 was indeed a "ratty" year (as in how most view rodents) and many of the same folk are hoping there is something in the Ox that is akin to a Bull market for 2009. 2008 revealed many "rats" that did significant damage to other people. But the little rodent Despereaux in the year end movie "The Tale of Despereaux" reminded us that bitterness and revenge continues the path of destruction, but forgiveness brings peace and wholeness.

A layman's overview of the Chinese Zodiac can be found here.

However, while these are interesting cultural tidbits, we who follow Christ do not place our confidence in the signs of the Zodiac or mythology. We who follow Christ believe the Holy Scriptures to be inspired of God and sufficient to guide us into all truth.

Jesus said the Spirit (Holy Spirit) would guide us into all truth (John 16:12-15). This is not contradiction. The Spirit surely speaks today but also uses the written word to lead us and to prepare us for the future (John 16:13; 1 Peter 1:22-2:12; 2 Peter 1:16-21). One of the great values of the written word of God is to give us truth without any mixture of error as a plumb-line to test our impressions, voices, or whatever we might think we heard from the Lord. This is crucial. Always, always test the words and character of those who say "the Lord told me" with what we know the Lord has revealed in his word. Psalm 119:160 says, "The entirety of your word is truth" (NKJV).

So, Welcome 2009!!

What are your plans for this year? One good thing would be to read through the Scriptures in 2009. There are various reading plans on the Internet as well as through most churches. I seriously doubt one is better than the other. There are devotional Bibles designed to help us read through the Bible in one year. They are inexpensive and helpful.

Some have found that being observant and attempting to help people along the way makes their year better. I don't know anyone who has ever helped someone from a motive of grace and regretted the attempt. Sometimes those whom we attempt to help do not make the best choices, but the fact that one made the attempt is in itself fulfilling. Could that be because God made us to care for our neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40; 25:14-46; Luke 10:25-37)?

Others reach out by sharing as much of the Gospel story with others as is possible. At times we are privileged to sit with someone and share in depth what God has done in Christ and how they may become a follower of Christ. At other times, we are only able to share a sentence or so. One friend of mine once said, "If you can't pick the fruit, don't bruise the fruit." In other words, don't be so aggressive as to offend. Remember, it is not about us. If you need help in sharing the gospel, you can find resources here, here, here, and here.

Whatever your personal plans for 2009, let's seek to include doing something in the Kingdom of God that is outside ourselves and helpful to others. And may God guide you and give you favor in your personal plans.

NOTABLE BIRTHS IN 2008

I have been reading with interest some "prophecies" for 2009 and even some beyond that. I have read many "notable deaths" of famous people who passed in 2008.

In the spring of 2008, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency delivered a speech in which he described three trends distinguishing the 21st century from the 20th. He listed them as (1) exploding populations of poor places, (2) growing divisions between the United States and Europe, and (3) China's emergence.

Each of these have implications far beyond our little denominational tiffs and church wars. In fact, each of them are opportunities for the people of God, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, to be salt and light in our finest hour. The issues of poverty and health, peacemaking, and the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ weave their way through these problems.

Certainly the need is not always the call, but it is always the opportunity. We know who died in 2008. But who was born?

Is it too out-of-the-box to pray and dream that in 2008 there was one born who will one day look at their world of population and poverty explosions and find ways to alleviate some human need? Could God have given us one in 2008 who will be a Godly world leader by mid-century?

How many church leaders were born in 2008? Who will educate them and where will they serve? Will they have to do as many of their parents and leave the church of their childhood in order to find a place of service? Will their parents reject their love for the same Lord simply because they don't love the same worship format? Could theirs be the generation of reconciliation? Progress is being made even now, so let's pray that is not even an issue for them.

How may health professionals were born in 2008? Could it be that one or more may find a cure for some of the world's dreaded diseases?

Maybe one born in 2008 will develop not just an alternate form of fuel, but even an alternate form of transportation! Or perhaps one will pioneer an alternate form of exchange that will alleviate much poverty.

Yes, these are dreams. But is a dream inside the will of God impossible? Some may say this is utopia. Not really. People and problems, even the poor, will be with us always. But our role is be salt and light and do our part in our niche to serve God and improve our world.

So, as we close 2008, I am not thinking so much of who passed (although they are important and should be noted) as I am thinking of those who discovered this world in 2008. Let's pray for them and perhaps some of us, or at least our children, will get to see what God does with the 2008 "models".