Memorial Day for What?
May 27, 2008
Memorial Day is an annual celebration of those who have sacrificed for our country by serving in the armed forces. While the original purpose was to memorialize those who gave their lives, the broader celebration today includes all who have served – including those wounded or killed in action. My primary thought on Memorial Day is gratitude for those who have sacrificed so much to make my freedom possible. I have profound respect for military men and women who do so much – motivated by pride in their country and love for freedom.
Sometimes, while celebrating the freedoms our past military heroes have made possible, I wonder if they are proud of the country we are and are becoming. Since World War II, our country has experienced radical social change. Some, like significant progress in civil rights, has been very good. But much, unfortunately, has not been so positive.
We have legalized abortion and more than 40 million children have been aborted in the past 35 years. We have made sex a recreational event, resulting in significant health crises from AIDS to rampant prevalence of STDs among young adults. We have degenerated in our proclivity for crude entertainment. What was once only available in some back alley is now on network television. And now, in California, we are facing an epic decision about the definition of marriage.
Is this the kind of country our military men and women have sacrificed and are sacrificing so much for? Is this the vision of America that motivates the ultimate sacrifice – giving one’s life? I think not. We can and must honor those who have given so much for our country by being the kind of country worth dying for. What kind of country do I mean?
We must be a country with a clearly defined moral code based on absolute truth. Some behavior is right and some is wrong – no matter how people vote about it or how an activist judge may rule.
We must be a country that defends and values every life. This means more than stopping abortion. It means caring for the aged, the handicapped, the mentally ill, and others who cannot defend themselves.
We must be a country that creates opportunity for all. No one is guaranteed life, liberty, and happiness (despite some who think this is the role of government). We are obligated to be the kind of country where all people are free to “pursue” happiness.
We must be a country that promotes freedom around the world. From my perspective, our international policies are sometimes too self-serving. We must do more to promote human rights and demand other countries grant human rights in order to maintain our economic and political favor.
While this is by no means a complete list, it is a good start on becoming the kind of country the men and women who have died for our freedom would be proud of. Let’s never forget to celebrate Memorial Day and, in doing so, recommit ourselves to building a country worthy of such sacrifice.
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Defining Marriage
May 19, 2008
The California Supreme court ruled last week, 4-3, declaring Proposition 22 (adopted by vote of the people) unconstitutional and opening the way for homosexual marriages to be legalized in California.
Their decision is a disaster for the future of our state. If it leads to homosexual marriage being legalized and widely practiced, the negative societal ramifications will undermine the family – and ultimately societal structures that support healthy communities. Others have written in great detail about these implications and I will leave it to those columnists to make those points.
Let me respond with a more personal perspective – and one I encourage you to emulate. While I have homosexual friends and family members, my positive relationships with them do not minimize my opposition on this issue. I am not homophobic, nor am I a gay-basher. I don’t make stupid jokes about “Adam and Steve” or otherwise demean homosexuals in public or private. I respect them as individuals, deplore their behavior, sense their pain (usually from broken or abusive relationships), and want them to find abundant life in Jesus. I could write the same thing about any person caught in the entangling tentacles of any immoral lifestyle – adultery, pornography, etc.
But while I am committed to relating to individual homosexuals in a positive, respectful way – my opposition to the homosexual political agenda/lobby that seeks to redefine social structures to fit a decidedly minority view is settled. Over the next few weeks, the Secretary of State in California will determine if a ballot measure to define marriage in a traditional form will be added to the state constitution. If the measure is put on the ballot, it must be adopted. If not, another petition drive must be launched to get it on the ballot as soon as possible.
Over the next few months, the rhetoric in California will intensify on both sides. It is imperative that those of us who support a traditional definition of marriage speak up. It is also imperative we do so in a way that represents Jesus Christ. Our ultimate goal is not to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality. It is to convert to them to Jesus and, in that new relationship, they will find the grace, love, and power to change deeply ingrained lifestyle habits.
We must also resist the temptation to curse the darkness, the ever-increasing darkness, in our culture. When we moved to Oregon, many years ago, several well-meaning believers asked us, “How can you take your children to such an unchurched place and raise them in that culture?” That question always baffled me. I thought the whole focus of our mission was going with the gospel to the places it was most needed. Too many Christians whine about how bad things are rather than see our current situation as a powerful opportunity for the gospel.
We have staked our lives in the midst of a culture of moral relativity and immoral behavior. We aren’t afraid of the culture. We believe a gospel that works in every place, every setting, every culture, and in the midst of every expression of depravity. If you live in California, thank God you are here for such a time as this. If you don’t, move out here and help us represent the gospel where it is desperately needed!
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Preaching about Homosexuality
May 12, 2008
In the May/June 2008 of Preaching magazine, there is an excellent article on preaching about homosexuality by Tom Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins is a director of Cross Ministry and is a former homosexual. Here are some highlights.
First, Mr. Wilkins advocates for preaching about homosexuality in the context of a larger discussion of sexual ethics and practice. While he agrees homosexuality is sinful behavior, he implores the church to have a message beyond that simple declaration. Homosexuality and heterosexuality are not opposites. Homosexuality is simply one of many inappropriate expressions of human sexuality – including adultery, fornication, pedophilia, etc. All should be confronted as destructive perversions of God’s design.
Second, he implores us to stop trying to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality. The conversion needed is to Christ, not to another sexual practice. Mr. Wilkins makes the point we don’t try to convert alcoholics to sobriety. We convert them to Christ. The same kind of approach is needed with homosexuals. They need Jesus, not a lecture on sexual ethics or a psychological sexual conversion. Conversion to Christ empowers them to live a new sexual lifestyle.
Third, he challenges all of us who preach to use our words carefully. Throw away, tired phrases like “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” reveal our shallowness in approaching the topic and our callousness at addressing hurting people. Mr. Wilkins reminds all of us who preach that we have people in our congregations, many unknown to us but nonetheless present, who are struggling with same-sex temptations. Others have homosexual friends, children, and grandchildren. Our harsh words also wound them. He challenges us to speak passionately and compassionately in their presence.
Fourth, Mr. Wilkins suggests we should also preach on the positive value of healthy same sex relationships mentioned in the Bible. David and Jonathon, Ruth and Naomi, Paul and Timothy, and Jesus and John are good examples. We need more emphasis on healthy friendships – not just sterile accountability relationships – that often are the only way these kinds of relationships are addressed.
These are just a few of the good suggestions in this article. This is an important subject, and one often mishandled. The Bible has a holistic, healthy, honorable message about human sexuality. When preaching on this subject, we are responsible to preach “the whole counsel of God,” not just our narrow viewpoints. Check out this article and let it shape your messages on this important subject.
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Family Pride
May 5, 2008
My brother is a paramedic in South Texas. Last year, he found himself on a solo call in which he saved two lives and prevented a catastrophic house fire. For his efforts, he was selected as the paramedic of the year for the state of Texas. This week, he joins 49 other state honorees in Washington, D.C. for special ceremonies including a trip to the White House to meet the President. My mother and I are flying to Washington to attend the banquet and public recognition of the 50 winners, including my brother.
Over the years, our family has had its struggles. We have had some tense moments and broken relationships. But, like most families, we rally when trouble comes and celebrate each other’s successes. Part of helping our children to adulthood was teaching them to celebrate their siblings’ successes, rather than allowing sibling rivalry to hamper their relationships.
Celebrating successes of others is a spiritual discipline. It requires humility, putting others ahead of ourselves, and allowing honor to flow to others. Families are strengthened when they do this. So are churches and ministry organizations. One of my saddest observations is jealousy among ministry leaders. When a church or organization or leader is successful – by any measure – he or she is often criticized rather than celebrated by their peers. This is disgraceful and reveals spiritual immaturity. A true mark of maturity is the ability to celebrate what others do, to give honor, and not succumb to the temptation to diminish others to make ourselves feel more secure or successful.
Later this week, we will have “Honors Chapel” at Golden Gate. We will recognize students for outstanding achievement in various areas – from biblical studies to demonstrated leadership initiative to perseverance through uniquely challenging circumstances to complete their seminary training. Some might question “praising men” as part of a seminary program. We view it as “honoring one another” and enjoy the privilege of singling out some students for the special encouragement that comes from peers and professors saying, “Job well done.”
Giving honor is a privilege and a responsibility in the Christian community. Receiving honor, and giving God the glory, is the spiritual responsibility of the recipient. So, when you have the opportunity to honor someone – do it. Celebrating the success of others is a much better response than petty jealousy or false humility that prohibits you being a blessing to others!
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