Category: Thursday Thought

How do you mix the Fourth of July, the story of Gideon, and an urgent desire to pass on biblical truth to your grandkids?  I’m not at all sure I know. But here’s what happened.

All four of Josh and Lynnette’s grandkids showed up at our house for an overnight on July 4^th.  With ten-month-old Sadie finally asleep, it was time to get Josie, Caleb and Lucy to bed.  Bible stories are a grand tradition, and we have a couple of favorite kids’ Bibles we use (I strongly recommend Ken Taylor’s, The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes from Moody Publishers.  It has just the right amount of text and pictures.  Plus, difficult concepts are explained wonderfully simply).

But because it was the Fourth of July…and because these kids’ mom had left each of them with a glow stick, I decided to attempt a reenactment of the story of Gideon.  You’ll recall the action from Judges 7, where God whittled down Gideon’s army to just 300 men. Armed with trumpets and clay jars covering their oil lamps, at God’s instruction, they wreaked havoc against a vastly superior Midianite army, suddenly revealing their lamps.

Judges 7 records, “They shouted, ‘A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!’ While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.”  Call it a low tech version of shock and awe. 

So how did this mix with our little tykes’ glow sticks?  They were hidden under pillows and pajamas to block out the light.  We took turns giving “the signal,” then repeatedly shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”  Only then did the kids whirl and twirl the glow sticks.   

This faux attack was repeated again and again (complete with several iPhone videos of our reenactment).  And I reminded the kids that this Bible story—like all of them—really did happen. 

In retrospect, the video evokes more of a scene from Star Wars then Scripture.  But I suspect the next time you mention to Joslynn, Caleb, or Lucy the biblical character named Gideon, they will surely remember his story.

Travesty or teachable moment?  You decide! 

(Love to get your email on this!).  

 

 

Today we bury Elsie. 

 

At 92, she was still young.  She emailed.  Used Microsoft Access.  Was an ace at Wheel of Fortune.  She was a regular out at our campfire, spinning stories into the sparks and dark.  

 

We will miss her.  

 

Born in 1924 in Chicago, Elsie once met actor Charlton Heston, at the time a student at Northwestern University.  She attended a production at the Goodman Theater.  Later that evening, Charlton Heston gave Elsie and her girlfriend a ride from the theatre to their home.   Elsie commented that she wasn’t very impressed with him.  Then again, that was before Heston used his staff to part the Red Sea in The Ten Commandments.   

 

Speaking of biblical themes, the thing that her children, grandchildren and friends knew Elsie for best was her love of the Bible.  She read it, pondered it, lived it, memorized it.  

 

Out at the campground, it was easy to find Elsie on her deck—reading the Scriptures, or should the weather be drizzly, sitting inside, an open Bible on her lap.  Her grandson remembers falling asleep as a little child, then waking up and seeing Grandma Elsie asleep…but with a Bible still open on her lap. 

 

Elsie’s love of the Scriptures stands in sharp contrast to the biblical illiteracy that increasingly describes America:

 

• Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels.  
• 82% of Americans believe that the saying, “God helps those who help themselves” is actually in the Bible.  
• A Barna poll indicated that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.  
• Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three disciples. 

 

This is just one of many reasons why losing Elsie is such a loss. Our team is down one very knowledgeable Bible reader.  But better than merely reading the Word, she really did try to live it out.  There could be no better way to close this tribute to Elsie then quoting the passage she loved best, Proverbs 3:5,6:

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight."

 

 

Swimming.  Boating.  Horseback riding.

For most kids, that's standard stuff at summer camp. Not when you’re a special needs child.  But the ministry of Joni and Friends is quietly rewriting the book on all this.  One chapter of that story played out last week in Michigan at a gathering exclusively for people like Michelle and their caregivers.

She has Down syndrome and lives with my friend Dan and his wife, Joan. Michelle was one of about sixty-five “kids” (many of adult age) who attended, along with their caregivers.  And everybody—everybody—was treated lovingly.

“The whole point is to let the kids experience normal life, while parents enjoy a week without stares from strangers,” Dan commented.  Caregivers were treated to spiritual encouragement in an in depth look at Psalm 123. 

A girl with Down syndrome steering a motorboat?  It happened for Michelle—and Dan has the video to prove it.  The grin on her face is precious.

Dan told me about talent show night.  From crooners to comedians, it was all there, all performed by special needs kids who soaked up the moment—and the applause.

Imagine living your whole life in a wheelchair, wondering what it would be like to—just once—ride a horse.  It happened here, thanks to Joni and Friends.

Through the assistance of a special ramp, a mobility impaired child was sat on a horse with a caregiver sitting behind wrapping their arms around the child.  Additionally, one caregiver walked on either side.

Of all the lovely snapshots Dan shared with me, this is the one that makes the lump that makes it hard for me to swallow. Or not cry.

Isn’t this the perfect visual metaphor for the lavish care that Jesus would have us show toward one another?  Someone wrapping their arms around someone else with needs–two on either side walking the trail together—it’s beyond beautiful.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  –John 13:35

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An open letter to the Honorable Bernie Sanders, United States Senator

 

Dear Senator Sanders,

I read transcripts of the conversation you had last week with Mr. Russell Vought, President Trump’s nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. During that exchange, you quoted Mr. Vought as saying, “Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his Son, and they stand condemned.”

Senator, you reacted by saying, “In my view, the statement made by Mr. Vought is indefensible, it is hateful, it is Islamophobic, and it is an insult to over a billion Muslims throughout the world.”

I have some questions for you, sir, that I would appreciate your addressing.

1. Does Mr. Vought not have a right to hold such an opinion—or express it publicly?  Or has this nation set in place an idea police force that now finds his comment “illegal”?

2. Do people of historic orthodox Christian faith no longer have the right to believe (and publicly state) the teachings of Jesus? 

3. Is it your belief that Christians are free to believe what they want, only so long as they do so in the quiet of their own congregations—keeping their beliefs out of the public square?  If so, how does that square with the first amendment?

4. You clearly seem to be implying that merely by believing the “wrong things” Mr. Vought’s religious convictions somehow make him unfit for office.  But how could your position be anything other than a clear example of prohibiting the free exercise of Mr. Vought’s religion—a constitutional violation?

5. How do you justify your verbal laceration of Mr. Vought knowing that Article VI of the Constitution states, “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States”?

I want you to know, Senator Sanders, that far from bigotry or hate, Jesus declared “Whoever believes in me will never die.”  Anyone may receive Christ’s forgiveness and offer of eternal salvation in heaven.  Anyone—Muslims, Jews, atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus—whoever acknowledges Christ as Lord. 

I do not deny that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by me.”  You are free to disagree, free to disbelieve.  But you are not free to wrench the right to believe—and express—this historic biblical belief away from those who embrace the Scriptures.  Nor do such beliefs—or their public declaration—render anyone unfit for office. 

Ultimately, your argument is with Jesus Himself.  It is an argument you cannot win. 

In any given week, approximately 79 credit card offers find their way to our mailbox.  So awhile back, I caved in to an invitation from American Airlines to receive their Platinum Select card.   In addition to one free checked bag for my wife and me, the big pay-off this card dangled was Group 1 boarding status. 

Diana and I were excited to try out these new perks, standing in line at O’hare airport. Our suitcases were checked in free, just as advertised.  The boarding process, however, was another story.  

Turns out Platinum Select is not nearly as exclusive a class as they made it sound. Before those of us in Group 1 were allowed to board, we watched as wave after wave of other people glided by.  It began with First Class and active duty U. S. Military. Next was the Executive Platinum group, followed by the One World Emerald group.

Still grounded…

Surely it was now our turn to board next, right?  Nope.  We watched as the Platinum Pro, Platinum and One World Sapphire folks headed down the ramp. 

Our turn now, yes?  No.  Still grounded.  The parade of the privileged continued with the gate attendant’s invitation for Gold and One World Ruby members to board. 

Still others who leapfrogged over those of us with “Group 1” status: Alaska Airlines MVP members, AirPass, Citi/Aadvantage Executive card members.  Oh, and there was one last group: anyone who purchased priority boarding!          

Demoted!

American Airlines has since restructured their boarding process and those zillions of boarding classes are now given a number.  The Group 1 status I was so proud of has been demoted to Group 5.  So much for perks.

However confusing (not to mention misleading) the American Airlines boarding circus may have been, when it comes to eternity, the categories are hauntingly simple.  Scripture says there are only two classes of travelers: those who are headed straight for heaven and those who are headed straight for hell.  That’s it.

In Matthew 25:46, Jesus plainly tells us, “These (anyone who has rejected Christ) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous (those made righteous by receiving Christ) into eternal life.”

That you have an eternal soul is a settled fact.  The only question is where you will spend your eternity.  Now is the time to get this issue settled.  Today.  The Word of God urges you in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor.  Now is the day of salvation.”

Heaven or hell.  Sounds strange, but it really is a choice—yours.  So…what’s your choice? 

Camping has a way of making you sleep well at night.  I mean really well.  Especially if you’re a kid.  Once, when our grandson Caleb was with us, his “batteries” ran so low, he was unable to finish buttoning his pajamas before slumping over on the couch, out cold. 

 

Recently, Caleb paid a visit to our camper again, along with his three-year-old sister, Lucy. It was bedtime, and the spunky little girl was winding down in a hurry.  So we quickly flopped down the camper’s couch, made the bed and tossed her in it.  

 

I usually end up bunking on the couch with Lucy because Caleb has less allergy issues when sleeping higher up in the bedroom with Grandma. 

 

After the light shut off, Lucy immediately plopped her head on my chest, closed her eyes and fell asleep.  I think it took less than sixty seconds. And what could be lovelier?  

 

But I confess I felt a bit guilty when noting that after thirty minutes, I’d grown tired of being in the same position.  Frankly, her head was heavy and sweaty.  A part of me wanted to rearrange Lucy’s pose and and place her head on her pillow.  Another part of me went down a different thought path.  I asked…

 

Over the course of my life, exactly how many nights will I be privileged to spend with a three-year old?  How many times will I go to sleep with a little blonde head on my chest? Through the entire span of my remaining days, how many times will I be able to curl up with a little tyke like Lucy?  Answer:  Few.  Very few.  So I stayed there, her head on my chest, for a long, long time. 

 

In a strange way, the scene reminds me of the brevity of life.  In Psalms 139:16 David says to God, “You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

 

I don’t know how many days are numbered in your book, let alone how many I have left. But I do know that simple things—like a three-year old’s head on my chest—are not to be treated lightly. 

With graduation and wedding seasons upon us, my wife and I have lately been to more than our share of parties. Sprinkled into that mix: three funerals.  Recently, Diana and I attended a gathering that stretched our comfort zone.

   

He clutched secrets of his own…

For example, there was the newly married couple, both at least in their sixties or maybe seventies.  Theirs was not a wedding that we attended, but mixing with them was easy. She blabbed effortlessly—unendingly.  He was as silent as drying paint.

 

Still, the white-haired groom clutched secrets of his own.  A financial analyst by day, he was an artist by night.  We were informed he would soon be creating a charcoal drawing of his new wife—sans clothing.  Talk about too much information!

 

Say what?!

Also seated at our table was a lady who proudly told us she was a belly dancer.  Her hair weavings, jewelry and makeup all gave powerful evidence to back up her claim.  With due respect to the physical fitness and coordination such a dance requires, she was definitely a bit old for such a hobby.  Likewise, her husband, who plays in a rock band. 

 

This gathering also brought us rollicking recollections of memories drenched in too much alcohol, the stories punctuated with bawdy laughter.  We were way outside our normal social circle. 

 

How much of Jesus did they see?

 

Here’s what I think the Holy Spirit might be trying to teach me (and maybe you).   The fact that I might have been uncomfortable was less important than the need these people had for an encounter with an authentic Jesus-loving person.  The real issue was not my personal comfort, but what they personally took away from our encounter.  Exactly how much of Jesus did they see?  Did I put the spotlight on Him?

 

Parties…pagans…and possibilities.  They are all a great reminder of Christ’s words in Luke 5:32: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

 

Death is a strange thing.  But some have made it even stranger by preserving body parts of the deceased.  I am completely serious.  Following are eight examples from an article in The Ultimate Book of Randomly Awesome Facts, published by Scholastic.

• Scientist Isaac Newton’s tooth was set in a ring and is now said to be worth thousands of dollars.

• Russian leader Vladimir Lenin’s brain was sliced into 31,000 slivers so that it could be studied (wonder what they’ve discovered).

• A lock of George Washington’s hair is kept in a locket in a Maine museum.

• Scientist Albert Einstein’s eyes were removed and kept by one of his doctors.  No one seems to know why.

• Composer Frederic Chopin’s heart lies in a crystal jar in Warsaw, Poland. 

• Astronomer Galileo Galilei’s middle finger and thumb rest in a museum in Florence, Italy. 

• One of Buddha’s teeth is said to have survived the fire that burned his funeral pyre, and is now in Sri Lanka.

• Fragments of Abraham Lincoln’s skull—and the bullet that killed him—are in Maryland. 

Creepy, huh?

I once walked past the heavily waxed body of Mao Zedong in China.  And in Hanoi, we gawked at the preserved remains of Ho Chi Minh.  What is it with Communists preserving corpses? 

Biblically speaking, the treatment of a dead body ought to evoke respect—hence the custom of anointing bodies with spices.  Our souls, of course, represent incomparable worth.  But in the Scriptures, our bodies are treated with regard, as well.

1 Corinthians 15:52,53 assures us, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

I doubt that after I'm gone anyone will have the slightest interest in the tiniest slice of my brain.  But all joking aside, I shall be eternally grateful to have been “raised imperishable.”  

What will it be like to “put on immortality?”  Given our proneness to sickness, suffering, and death, aren’t you looking forward to finding out?

It's one of my least favorite parts of travel: car rental.

It begins with a wrestling match online, where it is nearly impossible to gauge the total price of your car before you hit the “Purchase Now” button.  Airport surcharges, city taxes, “recovery fees” and other cash-snatching schemes pile on to the price. 

Forget about "naming your own price!"

That's why I make it a point to low-ball any offer I make online.  Contrary to the ad campaigns, they really don't want you to “name your own price.”  Evidence?  They nearly always discourage me from making my bid, while very “helpfully” suggesting a much higher figure.

Anyway, your plane lands and there you are ready to pick up your vehicle at the rental counter.  That's when they begin the heavy hustle for add-ons and extras…along with the threat of charging you $10 per drop of gas (or something close to that), should you fail to return the tank full. 

Was this a mistake?

But there I was earlier this week in Denver, having reserved a car online for $21/day.  I'd  successfully evaded the airport money monsters and proceeded to my assigned slot.

There it was: a stunning black Mercedes Benz.  Leather seats, digital-everything–this car was loaded.  And the keys were in my hand.  Was this a mistake? Had I somehow won the car rental lottery?  What had I done to earn this sweet ride?

Answer: nothing. 

The best gifts

Forgive me for making a hairpin turn here, but isn't that somehow an image of the kindness and grace of our God?  He loves to give good gifts just because He's kind.  For no apparent reason other than He likes to bless us, He gives us the best gifts. Sometimes those gifts are as simple as a plate of hot toast.  Sometimes they're as enduring as a kiss on the cheek.

And then there's God's ultimate gift—the gift of being “saved by grace through faith,” also known in Ephesians 2:8, 9 as “the gift of God.”  It’s the gift of being forgiven of our long list of offenses (sins), the gift of restoration with God.  It’s the gift of God’s personal guide, the Holy Spirit.  And—it’s the gift of eternal life in heaven. 

Have you received this gift—the gift of Jesus?

Everyone knows about camping.  And most of us who camp know all about “glamping.”  It's a marriage between glamour and camping.  Think upscale trailers with luxurious amenities.  Trust me—if you haven't been to an RV dealer recently, you have no idea how cushy camping can be.

Yet an English charity, Britain's “Churches Conservation Trust,” now makes it possible to fall asleep in church—and not get hassled.  The Trust, which preserves some 350 “disused” churches, is a creative fundraising scheme to provide for their maintenance.  With no congregants to supply funds, it's tourism that now helps finance roof repairs, tuck-pointing and other maintenance.

Sleeping in an Abandoned Church…

For about $50 per person, you get the unique experience of sleeping overnight in an abandoned church.  Launched in 2014, they call it “champing.” But there's little luxury to be found here. Think basic necessities, not flat-panel TVs.  

An article in the April American Way Magazine points out, “You may find yourself sleeping in a pew, or using bathroom facilities that seem to predate Christ.”   Nevertheless, the idea has been gathering momentum.

I Have a Better Idea!

There are now 12 of these “converted” churches available from Scotland to England's deep south.  And more bookings were reserved in the first few days of the new season than all of last year.  Sadly, there seems to be more emotion invested in the preservation of the brick and stone, than any effort at ascertaining what went so wrong inside the walls that these houses or worship are now pseudo hotels.

I have a better idea.  Let's fill them up again—with worshippers!   Let's preach the Word with Holy Spirit Fire.  Let's fill these churches with people who will pray to God and “give Him no rest.”  Let's blast the ancient walls and the timbered ceilings with such a sound of praise, the very idea of dust settling anywhere is simply impossible because of all the Christ-honoring commotion.

By all means, let's abandon the “champing”–but not the churches!