Idols

It's interesting to see what events can occupy the attention of the general public for more than a few days


Currently, that attention is riveted on the death of Michael Jackson. The cup of the news media is filled to overflowing with copy concerning every detail of his life and death that can be uncovered and then churned endlessly on tv. Farrah Fawcett Majors had the misfortune to die at about the same time as Mr. Jackson and lost any chance of being front page news. Not that she cares.


I'm not qualified to either praise or or decry the life of Mr. Jackson. He may have been a kind, generous and decent man who only wanted to do good for others. I hope so. I know very little about him except that he was a mortal just like the rest of us. No amount of fame, money, power or influence can make any of us immune to physical death and, as often happens, at a very inconvenient time. No sermon necessary here. If one subscribes to the "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die" philosophy the sermon would be ignored. If one is "in Christ," the matter is already settled.



What prompts the huge outpouring of grief at the passing of celebrities? What motivates Elvis fans to make annual 'pilgrimages' to Graceland where they burn candles and offer flower tributes to the "King?" Similar pilgrimages to Neverland are a certainty as soon as they can be arranged. I'm not criticizing the fans of Jackson or Elvis. It's none of my business what people decide to do with their time, money, energy and emotions. Apparently, adoration of these celebrities fills some need in the lives of their admirers. Any character defects in their idols are completely overlooked and/or forgiven. Considered larger than life they are not constrained by ordinary standards that apply to the rest of us. They are called 'idols' for a reason. For many, they will be remembered and looked upon with reverence usually reserved for Saints.



The exploitation of Elvis' name and fame is a clear indication of what lies ahead for the fame and name of Mr. Jackson. Already the vultures are circling. Some have landed. Various individuals and groups will vy for the spoils. Hangers-on will scramble for the crumbs. Publicity-lusting 'reverends' have worked the situation for all they can get. (The latest news is that a will has been located and all of M.J.'s assets are to go into a foundation. Bravo!) Previously, an estate attorney said that establishing who will control Jackson's estate will be "very messy." Wills can be contested. But it's obvious that whoever ends up with control will be operating a money machine.

R.I.P., Michael.

Afterthoughts:

In an interview, John Lennon of the Beatles, flush with new-found fame, declared, " Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. We're more popular than Jesus now." He went on to say that Jesus was all right but his disciples were 'thick' and they ruined it (Christianity) for him. He wasn't sure whether rock and roll or Christianity would go first. As it turned out, Lennon went first.

His remarks were off the cuff and he probably didn't mean to insult Christianity. There is a word of caution in what Lennon said in that as current disciples of Jesus we must be very careful not to "ruin" Christianity for others.

Curiosities:

Even 'idols' have idols. Elvis' idol was WWll General Douglas McArthur

Elvis volunteered to be an FBI agent

What Does the Bible Say?

Some Christians, from the lofty seats of (self-assumed) perfection, will point out that the Bible says that certain sinners are doomed to go to hell. Perhaps the accusers even get a bit of satisfaction from the prospect. Yes, it's true; the Bible does have abundant warnings about the consequences of sin, but it has much more to say about the grace of God.


Adultery is a sin. Yet, though David committed adultery and then schemed the death of the unfortunate husband, David was said to be a man after God's own heart. Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery. Killing is a sin. But Paul, before his encounter with Jesus, caused the death of many Christians. Stealing is a sin. Yet, on the cross Jesus promised a thief he would join Jesus in Paradise that very day.

What's going on here? This can be very perplexing. Do these events imply that God allows sin if it's for a good cause? No way. God does not gloss over sin nor does he excuse it. David repented, was forgiven but he suffered the effects of his sin. In the Old Testament days faith in God was counted as righteousness. In spite of his faults, David was a man of faith.


In the crowds that Jesus preached to and the individuals he healed, were there not those who were sinners of every stripe? Of course there were. Yet, he did not call out individuals or groups and say to them, "You go home. My message of salvation is not for you. I don't approve of your lifestyle so get out of my sight. Salvation is only for certain people and you're not among them." No, thank God, he didn't say that. Instead he said,"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)


Paul had much to say about sexual sin: Romans 1:26-27; 1Cor. 6:9, 1Tim. 1:10. Does this mean the church should wage war against homosexuals? Does it mean that these men and women are forever outside the grace and love of God? That is not the kind of God revealed to me in Christ. Without dismissing God's word or giving approval to their lifestyle we are called to love our neighbors.
During an argument early in our marriage, my first wife told me," I love you but I don't like you." I was baffled by her statement. How was it possible to love someone without liking them? It was not until I became a Christian years later that I fully understood what she was saying.
It's been said that Jesus came to save the least, the lost and the losers. I believe that at the time Jesus saved me I fit into each of those categories. Remembering how much God has forgiven in my life I am not willing that the joy of salvation be denied to anyone.


This is an emotionally-charged subject. I have been present when the subject of homosexuality was brought up and Christian friends all but frothed at the mouth in anger. I don't expect my viewpoint to be popular and I may lose some of the few readers of this blog. So be it. There is a saying,"Beware when all men think well of you."




Suggested reading: "20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid To Touch" by Tony Campolo

Curiosities
Ghandi used what he learned in Chapters 5-7 of Matthew for his non-violent response to the oppressive British rule of India.

Prince Charles of England has a valet to squeeze toothpaste on the prince's toothbrush.

Congress is not supposed to be involved in the management of GM (Government Motors ?). GM had scheduled one of their parts plants to shut down. This plant is in Congessman Barney Frank's state. He personally countermanded GM's order and the plant is to remain open for another 14 months. GM could become like Amtrak which Congress apparently treats like their personal toy train set. Now they have a car company to meddle with.


Congress recently (and very quietly) voted itself additional money for staff and office expenses.

What Does the Bible Say?

It is interesting to see what brings out indignation and /or "righteous anger" in some Christians. I don't doubt their sincerity or devotion to God. It just seems that the same energy and enthusiasm would be better used to demonstrate the love of God.



Every now and then, we read that the Ten Commandments, carved in stone, cast in metal or otherwise displayed, are removed from some courthouse or other government building. Inevitably a hue and cry of objection is raised by a preacher or group of Christians who noisily gather at the site and grimly predict that the action will surely be the ruination of our country. Not.



For one thing, I would wager that most people of the community were not aware the Commandments were in the courthouse until they found that they were to be removed. Secondly, how many children or unbelievers or others do you suppose were actually influenced by the displayed silent scriptures?



More importantly, the government at any level is not and should not be engaged in the promotion of any religion. That is constitutionally decreed (First Amendment). It is unwise for Christians to rise against that in protest. They mistakenly assume that, if the amendment is abolished, the government would favor Christianity. But, adherents to other religions: Muslims, Bhuddists, Hindus, etc., would demand their rights to promote their beliefs.





What does the Bible say about where the Ten Commandments are to be placed?
"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel: After those days , says the Lord, I will put My law in their in their minds, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people." Christians are included.





Next on the list (not necessarily in order of importance) of hackle-raising complaints is the subject of prayer in school. I've heard that the downward spiral of morals in our country began, "when God ( i.e. prayer) was taken out of our schools." Prayer in school is not expressly forbidden by the constitution. Mandatory prayers provided by the school administration or teachers are forbidden because that is viewed by the courts as being contrary to the first amendment. Various groups of Catholics, Mormons, Baptists, people of other faiths and athiests have all objected to prayer in school.
Within limitations, students may pray aloud in school. Nothing can prevent them from praying silently. God cannot be taken out of the schools or anyplace else. He is omnipresent and soveriegn.

My Journey to the Son Part 7

NOTE: I have not included all the events and details in "My Journey" and will not in the remaining segments because I want to get on to other subjects. If you would like a free copy of the complete account please request one at: alexos78@suddenlink.net





I have no doubt who saved me. It was Jesus. Church membership couldn't; the preacher couldn't; the denomination couldn't; my parents couldn't; my bloodline couldn't; my good works couldn't and my (futile) attempts to obey the Ten Commandments couldn't. Only Jesus could and did. The idea that church membership and/or being a good person makes one a Christian is a deception of the Devil. "I am the way, the truth and the life," Jesus said, " no man comes unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. That's it. Period. And it is plain enough. There's no back door; no wiggle room; no substitute; no detour around it and no alternate route. There is no other way to God.

It sounds nobly tolerant to say there are many ways to get to God and that one faith is as valid as another. But people who say such things are actually saying they don't believe in anything. Peter said, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12. Nothing else and no one else but Jesus and only Jesus can make us right with God. If anyone disagrees, I would say to them: tell Jesus. Tell God. Tell the Holy Spirit. Just don't bother telling me because I will never change my mind. This n0t how I verbally witness to non-believers. Standing on this Rock is done inwardly in my spirit. My unshakable faith in Christ is not an excuse for me to back someone in a corner, get nose to nose and bludgeon them with scripture and threats of damnation. Nor do -I have the right to believe or to act like I am spiritually superior to anyone or to have a "holier than thou" attitude. One of the major characteristics of Jesus was his humility. Shouldn't it be one of ours?
It took me awhile to understand that if I was to witness effectively, my own enthusiasm and powers of persuasion were not enough; that people are not argued or frightened into the Kingdom; that there must be evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in my life and that the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts and convinces people of their need for Christ.

It was the Spirit's revelation of God's love for me that caused the Sonrise in my soul.
"The Lord came to us from far away, saying "I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to me with loving-kindness." Jeremaiah 31:3

My wife and I didn't know all this when we resumed our daily routines on the Monday morning after the Lay Witness weekend. We only knew we had been changed. Now it was time to show it in our lives, beginning with our three children all of whom were still at home. Before they left for school I said, "I want to pray for you." Their expressions seem to say, What happened to you, Dad?

My Journey to the Son Part 6

Following the testimonies, the crowd divided into small groups. The 8 or 9 people in my group adjourned to a classroom and sat in a circle with a discussion leader. Even though, with the exception of the leader, the others present were people I knew, I felt out of place,...an outsider. In contrast to my discomfort the others were smiling and apparently at ease. The leader opened with prayer and a sense of panic crept over me. Here's something I hadn't considered. Suppose, I wondered, I'm called on to pray? What will I say? It would be hard to explain but maybe it would be less embarrassing if I left right now. I stayed, seemingly glued to the cold metal chair, my stomach muscles rigid in anticipation of disaster. I felt trapped and paralyzed. The leader explained how the session would proceed. No one would be singled out to pray or to answer any question proposed. Inwardly, I sighed with relief.



The rest of what transpired in that classroom is mostly a blur in my memory. Except for the end of the session. The leader said , "Let's stand for prayer." We stood. "Now," she said, "Hold hands with the persons next to you." Yech! I was standing between two men. At the time, the thought of holding hands with men made me very uneasy. But, if that's what it took to finally get out of the situation I'd do it. Reluctantly, I did as instructed and survived the hand-holding. Our group dispersed and I left with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts roaring in my mind.



One night, a few months before the mission weekend, after all my family had retired, I went outdoors and looked up into the night sky. "God," I implored, "if you are real, where are you?" I listened. No answer. Hmm. Maybe God only talked to people good enough to talk to him. Maybe there was some churchy thing I had to do first; some ritual to perform. Maybe I needed to get my act cleaned up. Just wanting to talk to him didn't seem to be enough. I continued to listen but only the crickets answered. Or so I thought. Dejected, I trudged back into the house and to a night of fitful sleep.


We cannot begin to comprehend how much God loves us; how much he wants to "gather us under his wings like a hen gathers her chicks." I knew nothing about his grace. At that moment I had no inkling that God had already set events in motion that would bring me and my wife under his wings. "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

During the night something stirred and awakened in me. The next morning I no longer felt threatened by anything that might happen in the rest of the meetings. With each of the remaining meetings I felt peace expanding in me. It looks like this could be what I've been searching for. These laymen have simplified things and concepts that I've puzzled over for years. They said that Christ loves me just the way I am. He knows my name; knows where I live and that he died for me.

On Sunday morning my wife and I walked the aisle and knelt at the altar rail. I had not cried since I was a little boy but, as I knelt, tears of joy began to wash away years of pent up anger, resentment and doubts. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Next week: Life changes

Agape to all,
Floyd

My Journey to the Son Part 5

My wife and I had arrived at our commitment to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit even though we knew very little about Him. We had read the name of the Holy Spirit many times in the Communion service and said many times in reciting the Apostle's Creed that we believed in Him. But we hadn't a clue about who the Holy Spirit is. Third Person of the Trinity....right? Or something like that. That was the sum of our knowledge.

We were like the disciples Paul encountered at Ephesus. When he asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No. We don't know what you mean. We haven't even heard there is a Holy Spirit." (Remember that incident. I'll refer to it again in later blogs.) There are many in the church today who might respond to Paul's question in a similar way.

Our ignorance did not prevent the Spirit from operating in the team of lay people who came to our church the fateful weekend that would totally change our lives. I had no intention of attending that weekend event. But something happened that some might consider coincidence. My brother, Dick, called to say he and his wife Delia, would be coming from Houston as members of the team. As a matter of courtesy, I invited them to stay in our home. When they arrived I agreed to go to the first session on Friday night and then planned to find some excuse to skip the rest of the meetings.

On Friday night my brother and his wife had to go early for a team meeting and Nita and I rode along with them. There were three or four people present when we entered the fellowship hall but my gaze was drawn to one person, a stranger, seated at the far end of the hall. When he saw us, he grinned, leaped from his chair and quickly walked.....almost ran....to where I stood. He grabbed my hand, pumped it vigorously and, with great enthusiasm, said, "God loves you and I love you too!"
I was shocked and repulsed.. What could make a supposedly sane person act in such a bizarre way? How weird, I thought. He loves me? Ridiculous. He doesn't even know me. After he released his his grip my first reaction was to go back to the safety of my home before this 'fanatic' had a chance to hug me or do something equally repugnant and embarrassing. But, I didn't leave. Thank God.

After the crowd arrived the session began with dinner. Following dinner visiting team members were called on to each bring a short testimony. One of those was my brother. Coincidence again? I thought I knew all about my brother but as he spoke I could see something new in him as he related how Christ had changed his life. Those that followed my brother also testified about the difference Christ had made in them. Although still a bit skeptical, how could I disagree with them? I didn't have a spiritual leg to stand on. In spite of lingering resistance, I found myself becoming more and more interested in what they had to say.

Hmm, I thought. Maybe there's something to this after all. Think I'll stick around.

My Journey to the Son Part 4

ERRATA NOTE
(I had a visit last week with a friend who had been in the couple's class I taught years ago. In going over times and dates with him I realized I had made an error. It was actually 12 years between our arrival in Lufkin and my invitation to start the new class.; not a year or 18 months.)



PART 4




"I am like a pelican in the wilderness: I am like an owl in the desert. I watch, and am as sparrow alone upon the housetop." Psalm 102:6



The psalmist's description of feeling lost and alone could have been my lament in 1969. In the 12 years before I started teaching, I and my family attended Sunday school and church regularly but the best I can say for my spiritual growth is that it was minimal. However, I gave a very good impression of looking and walking like a Christian and could, when pressed, talk like a Christian. But I was a grade A phony; a cardboard Christian. I was a pew potato; a pew warmer.



I was like the psalmist's pelican: spiritually distant from where I should have been; an owl in the desert, nesting in the ruins of my existence. I was sitting beside the lonely sparrow, watching but not seeing, listening but not hearing.



Recently, one Sunday in church, My wife and I sat behind a young couple and their two children. They were in my direct line of sight to the pulpit so I couldn't miss what happened. During the sermon the wife slowly turned her head in her husband's direction just enough so she could see him from the corner of her eye. A slight movement of her arm and his reaction indicated a jab to his ribs. He gave her a sour look and straightened up. Had he nodded off? Probably, but I don't know. This all took place within a few seconds. I thought, "I know where he's coming from because I've been there. Be in church to set a good example for the kids. Show up; do my duty."

At age 44 I was trudging through life, painfully aware something was definitely missing. On the surface it appeared to others that everything was going well. But, as a father and a husband I was not what I should have been. I tried, unsuccessfully, to use my profession to cover the growing dissatisfaction that stuck pins in my heart. I can understand why some people turn to drugs, alcohol or illicit sex. I didn't but the temptation was there. Increasingly I recognized the reason for my unrest. I tried to avoid it but the truth had been seeping into my consciousness for years: I was not right with God. In spite of attending church for many years I didn't know what to do about it; where to find the handle on Jesus....how to grab hold of Him.

One Sunday, in desperation, I stopped a friend in the narthex of our church and blurted out, "How are you saved?" She laughed because, as she told me later, she thought I was joking. She also told me she didn't answer because, at the time, she didn't know the answer either!

Looking back I wonder how many church members I would have had to ask before I got a true answer. Also, why it never occurred to me to talk to our pastor about salvation. One reason may have been embarrassment. I thought I was the one black sheep; the only one in the church who was not saved. Little did I know. As things turned out, I discovered how very little I knew.

God knows the desire of the heart even when the desire is buried deep in our spirit, covered with a mountain of sin and doubt. When our desire is for Him, when we "hunger and thirst for righteousness," he will arrange our circumstances so we can find Him. Oswald Chambers said, "When we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and the ends of the earth to assist us with all His mighty power."

For us , God arranged for a group of Christians to come to our church for a weekend called a Lay Witness Mission. My wife and I heard testimonies and attended small group meetings from Friday evening to Sunday morning. By then we understood that God loved us and knew us by name. On Sunday, my wife and I walked the aisle and gave our lives to Jesus and to gratefully accept what he had done for us at the cross. At the time the theological details were hazy to us. But our commitment to Jesus was clear and real.

Blessings to all