JODEPHUS

The Essential Moral Qualifications for a Presidential Candidate

2011-10-13T22:49:00.002-04:00

There are three elements to consider when judging the moral fitness of a person to be President of the United States

1. Social fitness: Does the person know the social conventions of society and generally lives according to them? If a person is socially awkward, he is likely to prove unfit as president.

2. Civic fitness: Does he obey the law? A person who has a history of breaking the law is hardly fit to become the chief agent of law enforcement in the country.

3. Religious fitness: I am not concerned with what his/her religion is, I am concerned with whether he actually observes the religion he ascribes to. If he is not publicly faithful to his own private commitments, how fit can he be?

Let’s try these three rules out on some recent presidents and see if they work:

President Reagan
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
He made a pretty successful president

President Johnson
1. No
2. No
3. Not sure about this one
He has two clear strikes and his presidency did not go well

President Carter
1. Maybe a little inept on this one
2. Yes
3. Yes
Does pretty well on this test, so I think he’s a morally fit man. However, moral fitness is only one element of overall fitness. Perhaps Carter lacked elsewhere

President Ford
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
He was definitely morally fit; precisely the reason who was put into the position to become president.

President Nixon
1. No. Very awkward in public.
2. No.
3. Not particularly
And we all know how that one turned out.

As we consider the current candidates, we should observe their skills and values in these areas. If we choose a president who is strong morally, he is more likely to have the ability to judge wisely when he is faced with unexpected challenges.

I'll Take the Shot!

2009-10-07T22:13:00.002-04:00

I am a little surprised at the number of conservatives who are buying into conspiracy theories about the swine flu vaccine. I personally plan to get the swine flu shot. Here’s why:

The swine flu virus is potentially dangerous because it is a new strain of virus that humans have never contracted before. Because no one has ever had it until recently, no one has natural immunity to it. Think of the common cold. Each year the virus that causes the common cold mutates so that the medical profession has difficulty predicting its form and preparing a vaccine against it. How many Americans get a common cold each year? 10%? 25%? 50? This occurs because there is no vaccine to protect us and, since the virus causing the cold is new, no one is immune. If the swine flu, which is much more harmful to human health that the common cold, were to spread this year like the common cold does, the results could be devastating.

Currently, the number of swine flu cases globally stands at about 319,000. From these cases, about 3900 deaths have occurred. Some critics point out that this is a low rate of death; about 1.3%. However, think of the number of people who would die in the US if a serious outbreak were to occur. What if 1 million Americans got swine flu? At that rate there would be 13,000 deaths. What if the swine flu were to spead like the common cold and 40 million Americans contracted the flu? 520,000 people would die. Those numbers are frightening.

We also know that inoculation works. By introducing a weakened dose of a virus into the human body, the bodies’ immune system develops a defense against the virus so that when it faces the fully strengthened virus head-on, it can fight the virus off.

There are many diseases that have been all but conquered through this means. My young sons have gone through an extensive series of immunization shots to prevent diseases such as measles, polio, mumps, chicken pox, rubella, and dozens of others. The US government REQUIRES these shots for children in the US. Promotion of the common welfare such as this is a primary duty of government. I find it amazing that conservatives are among the most vocal against the swine flu vaccine saying that the government is trying to take over our lives when in fact, the government is fulfilling one of its primary duties by providing for the general welfare of its citizenry.

Some conservatives are also saying that the government is conspiring with drug companies to enrich the drug companies. The same Obama administration that has attempted to demonize drug companies as greedy is now conspiring to make them wealthy? That makes no sense.

Some argue that the vaccine itself may cause death. However, in 1976 the government feared an outbreak of swine flu and a great campaign to inoculate the population occurred. I know of no case that conclusively shows that anyone died from that vaccination campaign. And even if some did, 40 million Americans received the vaccine in 1976 and the death rate from that vaccine was nowhere near 1.3% (520,000 people).

In early November, I plan to see the Dr. for my quarterly diabetes checkup. I plan to roll up my sleeves and get a flu shot in one arm and a swine flu shot in the other. If a breakout occurs, hopefully I will be immune. If it does not occur, my arms will be sore for a couple of days. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, I consider this to be a wise decision.

Why I'm Rootin' for the Phillies

2009-10-01T15:31:00.002-04:00

I can't say I have always been a Phillies fan since I've lived near or in Philly. When I first moved here, the team was simply awful. Then Larry Bowa became the manager and, though he is certainly and deservedly a hero to long-time Phillies fans, I thought he was an awful manager. Of course, now it is easy to be a fan because the team is a winner. But, I particularly like Charlie Manuel. He is a man of exemplary character. His handling of Brad Lidge, who last year was perfect in saves for the team, but this year has blown 11 games and had to be removed as the closer, illustrates his character. This quote from today's Philadelphia Inquirer, which reports on last night's penant-clinching game illustrates why:

"...Manuel...made a move that also revealed much about him and how he genuinely cares for his players.

There were two outs in the ninth inning of the Phillies' 10-3 win over Houston at Citizens Bank Park. The title was wrapped up when Manuel took that familiar, slow amble toward the mound and signaled for Brad Lidge.

As far as Manuel was concerned, he was already looking ahead to the postseason, and his beleaguered closer--or, for now, former closer--needed a confidence boost. As Lidge prepared for his warm-ups, the din from the crowd increased. And everything went the way Manuel figured it would. Juiced by the supporting crowd, Lidge threw one pitch to end the clincher.

"I wanted him to pitch in front of the crowd", Manuel said.

"I thought it would be good for him and the crowd. They responded kind of like the way I thought they would. First of all, I've said all along I didn't want to get away from Lidge. That I wasn't going to shoot him or anything. It was an ideal situation to put him in. My whole intention all along was to get his confidence back up because I know he''s got the talent and ability".

"You know," he added with a grin, "when he came in and threw warm-up pitches, he was throwing the ball harder than he had the last few days.""

Manuel is a man of character and it rubs off on his players. Sometimes we root for hometeams but wince at the attitude and actions of the players off the field (think Alan Iverson and Michael Vick here), but these Phillies are good guys. I'm rooting for them!

2002 Lincoln Blackwood: "Plastic that Looks Like Wood that Looks Like Plastic"

2009-09-23T18:32:00.003-04:00

I have been in car sales since 2002. Here is the first in a serious of posts about noteworthy vehicles that I have sold. Enjoy!

When Lincoln first showed the Blackwood as a concept vehicle, the outer bed was actually finished in South African blackwood, a wood that has such a luxurious sheen that it looks like fake plastic. Lincoln decided that they could not actually afford to put this wood on the vehicle and keep to their target price-point, so they put actual plastic on the bed that looked like blackwood. So, as one reviewer put it, you had trim that was "plastic that looks like wood that looks like plastic". The truck, marketed only during the 2002 model year, was a compilation of marketing goofs. It had Ford's largest V-8, but it was down 50 HP to the same size V-8 from GM. The bed was stainless steel on the inner sides and had felt on the bed. It also had a power tonneau cover which could not be removed. In short, the bed was functionally useless. The truck was very well-appointed inside, much like the first generation Lincoln Navigator. However, there was no 4-wheel-drive option available on the truck. The truck stayed in production only about 9 months and was discontinued. Lincoln dealers definitely wanted a pick-up truck to sell, but nobody wanted the Lincoln Blackwood.

Today's Cars Are Safer Than Yesterday's

2009-09-17T22:03:00.003-04:00

I often hear people say "Those old cars were made out of real metal and they were much safer than modern cars with their thin metal and plastic". Such thinking is quite incorrect. The modern car is much safer than those big hulking beasts of yesteryear. This video shows an offset front-end crash between a 2009 Chevrolet and a 1959 Chevrolet; both doing 40 MPH at time of impact. Watch and decide which car you'd rather be driving if you got in a wreck.

[update: Since this post was originally published, the video has been removed from Youtube. Josephus 10/27/09]

Judging Teddy

2009-08-27T13:36:00.002-04:00

I have young sons, actually too young to speak to with any deep insight regarding a matter like death, but, I've thought, what would I say to my sons about Ted Kennedy? Understand that I disagree with him deeply on a political level and I think that, in his personal life, at least in his younger days, he was a very immoral man (as were his brothers). Here are some key prisms with which to think of Ted Kennedy.

He was, as a human being, one of God's image bearers. Flawed, yes, but an image bearer nonetheless. At one point in his life, he wanted to be president, indeed it seemed he was destined to be president. After he failed in his pursuit in 1980, he set him mind to being a great senator and, in that endeavor, he succeeded. He had a personal wit and magnetism that made him a natural born leader and endeared him to others on a personal basis--even to his political opponents. While his public speeches were often strident, in private he sought compromises and forged agreements between opposing sides. He was among the most liberal senators of his time in a time when liberalism was in decline, yet he was one of the most influential men of his generation. I think he demonstrated a personal touch that is the mark of a godly person. For my sons, this is a quality to be emulated.

Though gifted in many ways, at a critical moment of life he squandered his opportunity and it could not be recovered. First, John was president, then Robert ran. Both were cut down by assasins. Ted was the heir apparent. He had it all. He had the wit, the looks, the charm, the necessary support to become president. In 1962, President Kennedy had challenged the nation to send a man to the moon. In 1969, the nation met the challenge with the Apollo 11 landing. This was a quintessential Kennedy moment and Ted Kennedy should have been there to reflect in the glory of what had been accomplished. This would have set him up as the inevitable Democratic nominee to challenge Nixon in 1972; a scenario that was Nixon's greatest fear. But where was Kennedy? Nowhere to be found. Just weeks before, he had driven the car in which Mary Jo Kopechne lost her life at Chappaquiddick. This episode forever dogged him and it cost him the nomination in 1980 when he finally decided to run for president.

Judge not that you be not judged. Kennedy may have been a murderer and there is no doubt that he was an adulterer. He may also have repented of these before God. I do not know. Only he knew what happened for certain at Chappaquick. As for adultery, late in life it appears that he married and was faithful to his wife. I have also read that he apologized to his first wife for the way he treated her. I have not killed anyone or committed adultery, but, by the standard Jesus set, all of us are guilty before God of these things. None of us stand justified before God on our own merits. I pray that Ted Kennedy trusted Christ and is experiencing his grace in its fullness now.

2009-07-30T22:09:00.002-04:00

My wife is guest blogging in this post about her recent experience serving on a jury. Enjoy!
A few weeks ago I received a piece of mail whose arrival was announced by Jody…“You’ve been summoned for jury duty!” After much sighing and contemplating how I might get out of it, I sent my form back to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. (I’ve only been summoned one other time but was excused that time since I was 8, almost 9, months pregnant.) The prayer sent up at the same time was “God, please PLEASE don’t let them pick me to be on a jury!! I have 2 little boys to take care of and if I get picked I’ll be sitting on a jury for my 4th wedding anniversary…and Jody has to leave town for 2 days for work. There’s no way I could be on a jury now!!!”

Tuesday morning, July 12, I was chosen as Juror #2 before 11am…was sent out for lunch and told to return in the afternoon…the trial would be starting. WHAT??!?! “God, this was not my plan! How am I ever going to do this??!?”

Fortunately the weather was nice that day so I sat outside to eat my lunch. After eating (that took all of 10 minutes), people watching, texting some messages, and answering a phone call, I found out that Jody had taken the boys for haircuts (Andrew cried the whole time he was in the chair), took them to the playground, and was, at that moment, enjoying a hearty lunch at McDonald’s. (Andrew can stuff a lot more food into his little mouth than you think he can!!) I missed those boys something terrible.

At the appointed hour, I returned to the assigned room in the courthouse. And found out they were STILL in the process of choosing jurors. (I learned quickly that there is “real time” and there is “court time”…and court time involved an awful lot of “hurry up and wait.) Eventually all jurors were selected and we assembled to hear opening statements.

Mr. Walker was on trial for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred back in 2005. There were 2 counts against him – possession of an illegal substance with intent to sell and conspiracy. Both lawyers “waxed eloquent” and then we were sent home for the day.

Wednesday morning we reconvened. Witnesses and evidence were presented. We heard about the narcotics enforcement team that set up undercover surveillance on Bailey St. on a chilly October day. During the 45 minutes of surveillance, the officer who was the “eyes” of the operation watched Walker and another man interact with various people. They would talk, then Walker would get something from a black bag that was hidden in a hole and give it to the person in exchange for money. Officers stationed around the corner caught and arrested the first buyer and found a small packet of crack cocaine on him. At one point, Walker did not put the black bag back into the hiding hole. At that moment, the officer who had been watching all this, radioed to the rest of his team to come in for the “take down”…they would catch Walker red-handed. When Walker realized what was happening, he handed the black bag off to his partner, ran into a house, and slammed the door shut. Walker’s partner threw the bag onto the ground and started to walk away, only to be caught and arrested. The black bag was also taken by police. When officers pursuing Walker reached the door he’d gone through, they found it locked so they had to force entry. Once inside, they found a third man. Walker got away while they searched and questioned the third man. Surprisingly enough, inside the house they found pictures of Walker…and in one picture Walker was standing with a police officer. That officer was related to Walker and 2 weeks later talked Walker into going to the police station to try to straighten things out. Walker claimed innocence, he was not the one they’d been watching selling drugs for 45 minutes.

The officer who had been the “eyes” of the surveillance team was the main witness in the trial. Everything he said made sense, it seemed as though he’d done his job and had nothing to gain by falsely accusing Walker. Walker’s lawyer did all in her power to get us to think otherwise, to plant reasonable doubt in our minds. She showed us a young man who’d been in college and wanted to do his part in serving our country. His mom and aunt told how he was a law-abiding man who was mentoring others.

The thing that “did him in” though, was his own testimony. At the last minute he decided to take the stand himself. He told us that he’d been at the mall that day spending birthday money he’d received the day before. The friend who had supposedly driven him there was nowhere to be found. And up until this point, he hadn’t told anyone else that he’d been at the mall. He testified that, even though he had been living at the house he’d run through, it was an on and off living arrangement and that he didn’t know the man who lived there full time. When questioned about all the previous court dates that he’d missed, he told how he changed lawyers and no one told him what he needed to do…and that’d he gone out to Washington (state) for surgeries due to injuries from being shot.

Details in the story he was telling didn’t add up. And the law says that if you believe that a witness is lying about one thing, you can believe that he is lying about all things. A man who doesn’t know you very well certainly is not going to keep your picture displayed in his living room. If you are innocent, you are going to do everything to clear your name, not take off to the other side of the country and stop all communications with your lawyer and the courts.

As a jury, we had to decide who was telling the truth…the police or Walker. Some members of the jury did have issues that were unclear, some issues that put doubt in their minds. But after our discussions, we unanimously decided that Walker, indeed, was guilty of both charges.

The reading of the verdict was difficult. Walker’s mom was still in the courtroom. We knew that Walker had a wife and at least one child and that they would be affected by this as well. Walker did seem to have a lot of things going for him, but, unfortunately, made some bad decisions and got caught.

This experience had its comedic moments, too. One of the court officers was a very serious, “by-the-script” man. He gave the impression that if he were stopped part way through his dialogue, he’d have to start all over again. He always had a straight face. But till the end of our third day, we were able to get him to crack a few smiles.

And then there was Juror #6. Apparently he was a man with a mission…a mission to get sent home, that is! Jury day #1 and the morning of day #2 he had accomplished the following in the courtroom: raising his hand several times to indicate he needed to use the restroom, asking – out loud to the judge – if it was time for lunch yet, and asking – out loud again – if the evidence being presented to the officer on the witness stand was really crack cocaine. After lunch on day 2, Juror #6 was called out in front of the judge…and we never saw him again. After the trial concluded we found out that the clincher in his being sent home was when the prosecuting attorney saw Juror #6 wink at the defendant. Not a smart move on his part – he could have gotten into serious trouble for his actions.

What did I take away from this experience? First, knowledge that God will provide wonderful care for my boys when I am temporarily called away to do something else. Second, confirmation that staying home with my boys is the best thing. It’s not someone else’s job to raise them, it’s mine. I missed them terribly those 3 days. Third, another example of God’s supplying what I need when I need it. I was nervous about making a decision that would impact another human being’s life in a major way, but God supplied the wisdom needed to make that decision. Fourth, no man is an island. The decision Walker made 4 years ago to sell drugs is still affecting people today. His decision took officers away from their normal patrol duty so they could testify in court. His decision affected his mother in ways I hope to never know firsthand. His decision affected a group of 14 people, took them away from normal responsibilities to listen to testimony in court. His decision took me away from my home and my boys. And his decision means that now his wife and his children will be without a husband and father while he serves his sentence. Fifth, someone else to pray for. As I think of Walker and this incident, I am moved to pray for him, pray that God will somehow use this experience to bring Walker to a saving knowledge of Himself.

Obama's Omission

2009-06-08T15:03:00.002-04:00

When President Roosevelt announced the D-Day invasion to the nation in June of 1944, he led the nation in prayer, saying My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

He called the nation to continue in prayer, saying Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

And he submitted the nation to God's will, closing, Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.

On the 40th anniversary of D Day, President Reagan reminded the nation that God had made our victory possible: Something else helped the men of D-Day: their rock-hard belief that Providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here; that God was an ally in this great cause. And so, the night before the invasion, when Colonel Wolverton asked his parachute troops to kneel with him in prayer he told them: Do not bow your heads, but look up so you can see God and ask His blessing in what we’re about to do. Also that night, General Matthew Ridgway on his cot, listening in the darkness for the promise God made to Joshua: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.” These are the things that impelled them; these are the things that shaped the unity of the Allies.

Given this history, President Obama's words at last week's 60th anniversary are troubling: For you [the soldiers who fought] remind us that in the end, human destiny is not determined by forces beyond our control. You remind us that our future is not shaped by mere chance or circumstance. Our history has always been the sum total of the choices made and the actions taken by each individual man and woman. It has always been up to us.

2010 Legacy Passin' Through

2009-04-27T11:00:00.002-04:00

A delivery truck arrived today with new 2010 Legacys aboard. None stayed here as all were being delivered to Subaru corporate accross the river in Cherry Hill, NJ. This particular one was a GT Limited model with Navigation. The car looks very nice. The back seat is roomy--the key thing Subaru needed to change on this car. Looks like a winner to me!

Give Me the Simple Life?

2009-04-20T13:04:00.002-04:00

This past week, Peggy Noonan made a big splash on the internet with this article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992073614326997.html She predicts that the economic situation in the US may lead us to a more simple life.

Some Christians seem to think that a simple life; i.e. less technology and fewer machines is a morally superior life.

For me, the simple life has to do with finances. It means getting out of debt as much as possible. Currently, I have no car payment and two credit cards. Both cards have either no balance or a low balance and we use them for the benefits they provide. One pays a cash rebate and the two together keep you credit score up.

I do not equate the simple life with a low-technology life. While it is true that one can become a slave to technology, technology allows you to take a time-consuming, menial task and turn it into a low-stress, easy job. For example: the dishwasher. Before I got married I had no dishwasher. I either ate off paper plates or I spent hours--literal hours each week washing dishes. What a waste of time and effort that is! Now, my wife and I have a dishwasher. This device sanitizes the dishes, getting them cleaner than they would be if washed by hand, it uses less water than hand-washing, and it turns a 1.5 hour chore into a 12 minute breeze. If the "simple life" means I give up my dishwasher, forget it. I'll take technology!

And that example reminds me of this theological truth. Man, made in the image of God, is supposed to be creative, as God is. He is to take possession of his world, harness it, and rule over it. When men use scientific knowledge to create technological devices that make life easier and make work more efficient, they are following God's example in creation and obeying his command to take dominion over the earth and subdue it. When I use my electronic devices and when I drive my automobile, I feel that I am doing God's will. To deliberately give them up in order to return to some supposed superior way of life that is actually less productive would be sin. I'm glad I live in modern times. Having experienced them, I would not choose to go back in time if I could help it.

The Pearl of Great Price

2009-04-12T22:26:00.002-04:00

The parables of the pearl of great price and the hidden treasure occur back-to-back in Matthew chapter 13. The common interpretation of these parables is that the pearl and the treasure represent eternal life or salvation. The individual comes to see, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the value of eternal life; the treasure that it is and the beauty that it possesses, and the person gives all or surrenders all so that he might obtain eternal life.

An alternative view is that the pearl and the treasure are those who are saved. God purchases salvation for the world through the death of His son so that he might gain the treasure of those who are to be saved, that is, the elect. A variation on this is given in Scofield’s notes, for he argues that the pearl/the treasure is Israel. God purchases the world so that he might redeem his chosen people.

Though the second view is a minority view, I think it is preferable. I see the pearl/treasure as those who are saved having been bought by Christ. Here are two reasons for my view.

First, no explanation is given in the passage in Matthew as to the meaning of these two parables. So, we must look at the surrounding parables in Matthew 13 (there are a total of seven parables in these verses), two of which ARE interpreted by Jesus to see how the uninterpreted parables should be taken. In the two interpreted parables (the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and tares) the initiator of the action on behalf of the kingdom is God Himself. God is the sower and God is the one who plants the wheat. In the other three uninterpreted parables, the initiator of the action also represents God’s action in relation to the kingdom, its growth, and its consummation. The man who sows the mustard seed represents God. The woman who puts the leaven in the bread represents God, and the one who casts the dragnet into the sea also represents God. Since all five other parables have a person who represents God initiating the action to grow the kingdom, we MUST assume that the man who buys the field and the man who seeks the pearl represent God as well. There is nothing in the text that justifies interpreting these two parables differently.

Second, these two parables speak of “buying” something. If the land buyer and the pearl seeker are unsaved people who gain salvation, then, according to the parable, they gain it by “buying” it. As humans, we cannot purchase salvation at any price. We do not have the resources to do so. No. God is the one who purchases our salvation. Indeed, he purchases us through the precious blood of his son. Jesus shed his blood; a sacrifice sufficient to pay for the sin of the whole world, so that those who believe might be saved. We are God’s pearl. We are God’s treasure. This is the proper way to interpret these two parables.

The Easter Chicks

2009-04-07T17:12:00.003-04:00

For Easter, one year, my Mom bought my sister and me a live chick apiece. Mine was green and Renee’s was pink. My Mom doubted that the chicks would live very long and thought we’d enjoy having them for a while.

Mine did not live that long as our family dog made a snack of it. However, Renee’s lived to be a full-grown bird with a pretty nasty temperament. It was not a playful pet.

Winter came, and one night it snowed. My Dad came home from work and rushed inside the house to eat. Company was coming. While he was inside, the chicken discovered the heat rising from the vents on the hood of his car and roosted there. After supper, my dad looked out the window and saw our company drive by, missing our house in the snowstorm. My dad ran out and jumped in the car to chase them down. When he turned on the windshield wipers, the chicken hopped up and jumped over the wiper blades when they went up and again when they went down…and again when they went up and again when they went down. The bird successfully jumped the wipers several times, but when my dad got up to speed, the chicken spread its wings and flew off the car. We never saw him after that.

Pearl is in Business!!!

2009-03-23T15:48:00.002-04:00

My wife, Pearl, opened her on-line business today. She is selling these hand-made laundry baskets on her sight at http://www.littleraspberries.etsy.com/ These baskets, either the pig or the dog, hang on the back of the door. A child can grab the mouth, open it, and throw their dirty laundry in. It's a great motivator for my older son Jonathan to pick up his clothes! Check it out!

Obama Blinks

2009-03-18T17:19:00.002-04:00

On February 18, hours before President Obama was to arrive in Montreal, Canada for a state visit, the Russians flew a fighter jet at high speed toward the Canadian border. The Canadian Air Force went out and intercepted the jet. Was this a little intimidation game going on?

On March 11, the Obama administration, which apparently feels that US policy has been too harsh on Cuba over the years, loosened travel restrictions between the US and Cuba.

On March 15, Russia announced that they planned to station bombers on bases in Cuba as well as Venezuela.

President Obama seems to believe that if we just act more nicely to the Russians they will be more nice to us. But, the Russians see him as a man who, when challenged, blinks. I predict he will be challenged by the Russians more as time goes on.

Noah and the Bird

2009-03-12T18:04:00.002-04:00

Consider Noah in the ark. He had been delivered from God's wrath, just as believers have been. He anticipated a new earth that was cleansed of men's sins just as believers do. However, the ride on the ark must have been long and discouraging. It was a large craft with only one window. Having cargo that included a sample pair of every large animal on the earth must have created a daily regimen of work for all the humans on board that was none too pleasant. The knowledge of escape from God's wrath and the anticipation of entrance into a new world made the daily experience no more pleasant.

One day, Noah opened the window of the ark and released a bird. Soon it returned with a leaf in its mouth. Noah must have been filled with hope, knowing that the new earth he was promised was being prepared and was soon to be a reality.

I don't know the struggles you are undergoing, but I pray that God will give you a small sample in this life of the glory that awaits you so that you may endure your sufferings in this life. God bless!

Free Love and Strict Diets

2009-02-26T13:25:00.003-05:00

Free Love and Strict Diets

I came across two interesting and inadvertently related articles on the 'net today. First, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022503123.html?hpid=opinionsbox1 George Will points out that, while Americans in general have become quite casual about sex--anything goes-- many are becoming quite strict; even moralistic about food. Second, here: http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3348
Al Mohler details the growing use of pornography in American life.

On sex, the scriptures lay out a well-defined standard. Sex is for and between a married man and woman only. All else is sin whether it be physical sex or sexual fantasy. But on food, while all eating is to be done in moderation, and while our physical health should be guarded, all meat is consumable by the Christian. "Every creature of God is good and is to be received with thanksgiving" Paul says.

Our society, having turned away from God, is completely mixed up in relation to these two.

If You Are The Son of God...

2009-02-20T21:43:00.001-05:00

In the opening chapters of Luke, Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He is born of a virgin. Then Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He is declared by the Father to be his Son. Finally, Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He demonstrates his Sonship through his obedience.

Satan comes to Jesus and three times tempts Him in the wilderness. On two of those occasions, Satan taunts, “If you are the son of God….” Jesus shows that he is God’s Son for when he is tempted to satisfy his hunger through his own power He remains dependent upon God for his daily bread. When He is tempted with “having it all” if He will only worship Satan (in place of God) He quotes the scripture and refuses. Finally, when he is tempted to act foolishly by throwing Himself from the temple, he refuses saying “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”.

Like Jesus, those who place their faith in Christ are declared to be sons of God. This is a judicial declaration (called justification) which is irreversible. However, salvation is more than being declared a son of God, salvation entails that we live in obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit (as Jesus was filled with the Spirit in the wilderness). It entails that we depend upon God for our daily sustenance, put Him first in our lives, and seek to obey Him in all areas of life. Of course, we will not do this perfectly as Jesus did, but we will do it increasingly as he empowers us, if we are the sons of God.

Who Pays for Hitler's Sins?

2008-11-16T16:56:00.002-05:00

While it is true that all men are judicially guilty before God; that is, we are all unrighteous, some men sin more than others. Surely Hitler must be guilty of as many individual acts of sin as anyone who has ever lived. His sin was not simply a matter of the heart, it was a matter of his deeds.

So, who pays for Hitler’s sins? That is, who recompenses a righteous God for the sins of Adolf Hitler?

Someone may answer; Hitler has God’s wrath abiding upon him. He is in hell for eternity. So, Hitler pays. But Hitler cannot pay for his own sins. No one can do that. Yes, God is perfectly just in sending Hitler to hell, but, just as a murderer is justly put to death by the state for his murder, his death does not recompense his victim, for his victim remains dead. Additionally, God is not recompensed for the murder by the murderer’s just punishment in hell.

So, who recompenses God for the sins of Hitler? Herein lies the scandal of the cross: Jesus paid for the sins of Hitler! Jesus’ death is a perfect sacrifice for sin that completely satisfied God’s just and righteous anger against sin. Jesus recompensed the Father for all sin. Otherwise, God is never recompensed for sin throughout all eternity. That simply cannot be.

Obama's Sliding Pendulum

2008-11-10T10:52:00.003-05:00

Politics tends to swing back and forth from the left to the right in American history. In the 1920s, the swing was to the right with a limited government and commerce that operated freely. With the Great Depression, federal invervention in the economy was necessary and the pendulum swung to the left with growing federal power from 1932 until the end of the Johnson presidency in 1969. With Nixon's election in '68 and the subsequent trouncing of McGovern in '72, few politicians proclaimed themselves to be liberal all the way to this present day. It has been a period of a rightward swing of the pendulum.

Obamas election is a swing of the pendulum to the left, yet it is more than just a swing of the pendulum. For, while the pendulum swings back and forth, the trajectory of American history is toward greater and more expansive federal power. The pendulum swings, but the frame upon which the pendulum hangs slides toward the left. This die was cast when Lincoln proclaimed that the states, once in the union, could not leave. And he enforced his conviction with a war. Since the Civil War, the power of the federal government has grown steadily, though there have been long periods in which the growth was curbed.

With the troubled economy and the collapse of finance and industry, greater federal intervention in the free markets is inevitable. Obama is ideoligically committed to this and historically positioned to accomplish it.

The Bush Disasters

2008-11-05T18:02:00.002-05:00

I'm sure President Bush had goals for his presidency when he took office, but events displaced his priorities and forced him to respond to the unforseen. Consider the disasters that occurred during his terms: The enemy attack of 9-11, The natural disaster of Katrina, and The Financial Meltdown of 2008. Bush will be rated by historians according to his responses to these crises. How did he do?

9-11: He took extraordinary steps to ensure that an attack like this did not re-occur and he took extraordinary measures to retaliate against those who attacked. Both of these are on-going projects. If Bush's succesor(s) do not keep this in mind, our nation will suffer for it. Both responses cost him politically, but he pursued his policies to the end.

Katrina: I think officials at all levels were slow to realize the magnitude of this disaster and their response was slow. Now the question is: Should New Orleans be rebuilt at all? No one seems to be thinking about this.

Financial Meltdown: The solution here has been amazingly bi-partisan. The recovery from the meltdown is incomplete if it has begun at all. Unfortunately, the financial factors of deficit spending and legacy costs that caused this meltdown are in place to recur with even greater intensity within the next 20 years. There is a bi-partisan ignoring of this fact that almost assures a tragic outcome. Unfortunately, Bush is in no political position to propose a solution.

Well Done, Larry

2008-05-20T16:27:00.002-04:00

Mr. Larry was a frequent poster on this blog. He was a good friend from my seminary days. He and I were roommates for about three years. On Sunday, his wife called and informed me that Larry had passed away. At 37, this was most unexpected.

Larry's lot in life was not an easy one. His problems seemed to compound and reached their nadir in 1999 when Larry's father passed away suddenly. Larry left school and moved away. I didn't think I'd ever hear from him again. But, God was good and Larry persevered. One day he e-mailed me and told me he had met a girl and was going to get married! He did just that. I was thrilled to meet Larry and his bride when Larry was a groomsman in my wedding in 2005.

I have no explanation for Larry’s death at such a young age. I believe that he made great strides in his spiritual life in the last five years that he lived. He met his obligations, finished his degree, got married and started a family, and was working towards being an elder in his church. He lived an honorable life and he finished well. Well done, my friend! I'll meet you in the morning....

Jonathan Turns Two

2008-05-07T07:11:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my son Jonathan's second birthday. It was a big day with friends and grandparents in attendance, lunch, and a delicious birthday cake that his mom made. "'appy Buthday" Jonathan!

The Order of Faith and Regeneration

2008-05-01T22:17:00.002-04:00

What is the proper order of faith and regeneration? Does regeneration precede? Or does faith? Or are they simultaneous? Consider twelve miraculous works of Jesus recorded in the gospels. These miracles involve acts of physical healing or physical regeneration performed by Jesus. Often the text indicates that spiritual regeneration occurs in the person’s heart as well, although this is not always made clear. These miracles also involve expressions of faith or confessions of faith. In these, which comes first, the faith or the regeneration?

The Man with the Withered Hand (Matt 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 4:38-39)
Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. There was a man present with a withered hand. Jesus said to him “Stretch out you hand!” The man stretched it out and he was healed.

Here the obedience to the command of Jesus and the healing are simultaneous.

The Centurion’s Servant (Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10)The Centurion, as a gentile, knew that Jesus was not permitted to enter his house. So, he actually requested Jesus to heal his servant without coming. Jesus was astounded at the man’s faith. He exclaimed that he had not found anyone with such faith in Israel. Then Jesus said “Go your way; let it be done to you as you have believed.” Those who returned to the house discovered that the servant was healed the hour that Jesus spoke the words.

Notice the great faith that the Centurion had. Jesus marveled at his faith. Why would Jesus marvel at his faith if the man had been unable to believe?

Notice that the man believed before he met Jesus, so the faith preceded the regeneration.

The Nobleman’s Son (John 4:46-54)This story is remarkable similar to the story of the centurion in that it is a “long-distance” miracle. However the details are so different that it is a separate event. The nobleman went a good distance to see Jesus and ask him to heal his son. Jesus said “Go your way; your son lives.” John records, “the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off.” The servants of the nobleman meet him later as he travels home and tell him his son is well. They determine that the healing occurred at the same time Jesus pronounced that he was well. John records that the nobleman believed and his entire household.

Note that the man believed and then the son was healed. The healing results in deeper belief by the nobleman and the salvation of his household.

The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Matt 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48)This woman, who was very weak physically because of her constant bleeding pressed her way through a crowd to get to Jesus just for the chance to touch his garment for she believed this would heal her. She touched it and was healed. This would have gone unnoticed, but Jesus stopped so as to call attention to what she had done. He called her out and encouraged her to tell what she had done, which she did. Then Jesus said “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

Notice that her faith preceded her healing.

Notice that Jesus referred to her faith as “her faith”.

The Caananite Mother (Matt 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)This woman was a Gentile. She followed Jesus and begged him to heal her daughter who was oppressed by a demon. Jesus ignored her and told her he was “sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel“, not to Gentiles. She continued to beseech Jesus. Finally Jesus answered her “O woman great is your faith! Be it done to you as you desire”. Immediately her daughter was healed.

Notice that the woman gave clear evidence of faith, so much so that Jesus marveled at her faith. THEN he healed the girl. The faith preceded the regeneration.

Notice also that Jesus refers to the woman’s faith as “her faith”.

The Epileptic Boy with the Demon (Matt 17:14-19; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42)This man brought his demon possessed son to Jesus’ disciples while Jesus was on the mount of transfiguration with Peter, James, and John. Jesus’ disciples were unable to help the boy. The man said to Jesus, “if you can do anything, take pity on the boy and help us!” Jesus replied, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” The man replied, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Then Jesus cast out the demon and physically regenerated the boy.

Notice, the faith was weak, but it was there. The man asked for help with his unbelief.

Notice that the faith was expressed first, then Jesus healed the boy.

The Daughter of Jairus (Matt 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)Jairus approached Jesus and asked him to come heal his daughter. Before Jesus could get the to house messengers came and reported that the daughter had died. Jairus became greatly discouraged, but Jesus said to him “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she shall be made well.” Then Jesus went to Jairus’ house and raised his daughter from the dead.

Notice that Jairus was first commanded to believe, then the regeneration of his daughter took place.

The Raising of Lazarus (John 11)After it was reported that Lazarus was dead, Jesus told his disciples, I am glad that I was not there so that you may believe. Jesus met Martha and encouraged her to believe. Then he met Mary and encouraged her to believe. Next Jesus raised Lazarus and it is reported that “many of the Jews who had come to Mary and beheld what he had done, believed in him.

In this story, Jesus allows the tragedy to occur. In the face of the tragedy, he encourages his followers to believe and, after raising Lazarus, their faith is strengthened and others believe. So the faith is both before and after the regeneration.

Two Blind Men (Matt 9:27-31)Two blind men followed Jesus crying out “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus asked, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord” they said. Jesus healed them.

Faith precedes the regeneration of their eyes in this story.

Blind Bartimaeus (Matt 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)As Jesus passed through Jericho, blind Bartimaeus called out continually after him, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd tried to quiet him, but he persisted. Jesus had them bring Bartimaeus over. Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartmaeus replied, “Lord, I want to receive my sight!” Jesus replied “Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.” Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight.

Notice that Jesus acknowledged Bartimaeus’ faith before he healed him.

Notice that Jesus referred to Bartimaeus’ faith as “his” faith.

The Man Born Blind (John 9)This man was healed of his blindness by Jesus, for the glory of God, as Jesus said. After his healing, a great trial ensued as the Pharisees tried to discredit and disprove what had happened. The more they investigated, the more irrefutable the miracle became. Eventually, they excommunicated the man from the synagogue. After this Jesus found the man and approached him about his faith. Jesus asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “And who is he Lord that I may believe in Him?” Jesus revealed himself and the man said “Lord, I believe.”

Here, regeneration occurs first and faith comes later. However, the man was healed before he knew Jesus’ identity. He could not believe on one whom he did not know. Once Jesus revealed himself, the man believed.

The Man and His Four Friends (Matt 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26)In this story, four men bring their lame friend to Jesus for healing. They could not get into the house because of the crowd so they went on top and dug through the ceiling and let the man down in the room before Jesus. Luke says “And seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then after making a point to the Pharisees, Jesus said “Rise, take up your bed, and go home.” The man did so.

Notice that faith precedes the forgiveness of sins which precedes the physical regeneration in this story.

Notice that Jesus saw “their” faith.

These stories deal with Jesus healing physical conditions like blindness, lameness, and death which illustrate man’s lost spiritual condition. In all but one story, faith precedes or is simultaneous with regeneration. In the one exception, the man in question did not believe in Jesus because he did not know who he was at the time he was healed. This is powerful biblical evidence that the norm is that faith precedes regeneration. Comments or feedback?

Don't Try This at Home!

2008-04-12T22:04:00.002-04:00

Subaru's 2008 Impreza WRX STI has been out for several months now. Equipped with AWD, VDC, DCCD, SI Drive, ABS, EBD, and EBA; not to mention 305 HP; it's quite a car! I've driven it at the track and around the street, but I haven't driven it like the guys in this new commercial. Enjoy!

Theology and the Theory of Relativity

2008-03-21T21:49:00.002-04:00

A light is placed inside an empty train car on one side. Across the car on the opposite inside wall is a mirror which reflects the light back across from where it came. A man stands inside the car and records the time it takes for a flash from the light to reflect in the mirror and return to its original side.

The same experiment is repeated, only this time, a man also sits outside the train car as the car rolls slowly by him at the speed of one mile per hour. This man also records the time it takes for the light to cross the car and return.

The time recorded by the second man outside the car is longer by an infinitesimal amount than the time recorded by the first man who was inside the car even though they both time the same flash.

Why? Because the light for the second man, who views a moving car, must travel at an angle that is slightly longer than the distance the light must travel for the first man. Thus the second man records a longer interval though timing the same flash.

This experiment demonstrates Einstein’s theory of relativity; a theory that states that time can expand and contract resulting in variable measurements depending upon ones perspective. (For more on this concept, see the website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/ and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/

Should this knowledge affect our understanding of time in theology? Men view time from within the time/space continuum ( as though we are in the train car), but God views time from outside of the time/space continuum (as though he is outside the train car). Is this concept the solution to the tensions we find in scripture between the sovereignty of God and the free will of man? For instance, when the scriptures say that “Pharoah hardened his heart” and then also say that “God hardened Pharoah’s heart”, must we reconcile these two statements or relate them to one another in a hierarchy? Perhaps we can learn from Einstein’s conclusions that the two statements differ and cannot be reconciled, yet both are true.

Andrew's Arrival

2008-03-09T19:10:00.004-04:00

On Monday, March 3, at 2:17AM, our newest, Andrew, arrived. He was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 inches long. Check out these photos of Andrew with his proud parents, grand-parents, and big brother!

Jonathan, Thy Name Is...

2008-02-15T21:08:00.002-05:00

Since we are now within three weeks of the due date of our second child, I've been reminiscing about the day Jonathan, our first-born, came into the world.

Earlier in that pregnancy, when Pearl had an ultra-sound, we had requested that the tecnician NOT tell us the sex of the child. But, of course, I really wanted to know. So I paid close attention as the tecnician measured the babies' legs to see what I could see. I concluded that the coming baby was to be a girl. I wrote down the coming "girl's" name and sealed it in an envelope telling Pearl that I thought I knew the sex and, if she changed her mind, I would tell her.

Pearl's labor was long. I brought the envelope to the delivery so that when the baby was born I could show everyone that I was right. After quite a while in labor, Pearl asked me to unseal the envelope and tell her what the baby was going to be. I unsealed it and read the female name to her. Later, after some 40 hours in labor, the Drs advised us that we should procede with a ceasarean delivery. I was seated beside Pearl during the operation with the view of the surgery hidden from us behind a hanging sheet. When the Dr. got ready to remove the baby she told me that I could stand up to see the delivery. I did and when the Dr. pulled the baby up, she announced "It's a boy!" So much for my ultra-sound reading skill!

For this second child, I have no idea what the sex will be, but we have at the ready, if it is needed, the name that I thought Jonathan was going to get.

Am I Morally Obligated to Vote For One of These?

2008-02-06T12:16:00.000-05:00

Consider the choices of 1972. On the one hand we had George McGovern. He was a socialist who promised national healthcare for all Americans and an immediate withdrawal from Vietnam. On the other hand, we had Richard Nixon who, during the election months, oversaw the Watergate crimes that eventually brought him down. Would it have been morally reprehensible to refuse to vote for either candidate?

In this election of 2008 we seem to be headed for another choice between bad and worse. Either Clinton or Obama will be a choice for bigger government, higher taxes, and international defeat. McCain is, in my opinion, temperamentally unfit to be president; much as Nixon was. I expect the press to begin hammering him on this once he gets the nomination.

I plan to vote in the Pennsylvania primary in April and I hope we can avoid these bad choices. But if not, I feel no moral obligation to vote for any of the current front-running candidates.

History's Greatest Political Speech

2008-01-21T22:03:00.000-05:00

O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.
And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.
“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

This speech, and it’s actually a sermon; an explanation of God’s words that were written on the wall, was delivered by Daniel to King Belshazzar of Babylon. Belshazzar had thrown a huge feast which had devolved into a drunken party with Belshazzar the drunkest of the drunk. The wine being drunk was consumed from the sanctified cups from the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem that had been pilfered by the Baylonians. Interrupting the party was the hand of God writing a message upon the wall of the palace. Belshazzar’s knees buckled and he became pale at the sight. Daniel, now in his 80s, was called to interpret the message based upon his reputation for wisdom. This, history's greatest political speech, points up man's attempt to take God's place and God's refusal to cede his control.

As we approach our elections in the US, we should remember Daniel’s bold words: The Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

THEY HIT!!! PEARSON IS INTO THE WALL!!! PETTY SLIDING, SLIDING....

2008-01-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

The 1976 Daytona 500 finish has to be the greatest NASCAR finish ever. Here it is.

Someday, someone will enlarge this video and you'll be able to see Pearson intentionally turn left into Petty to spin him out. At least, that's my theory... ;)

2009 Subaru Forester is Coming

2007-12-10T17:22:00.000-05:00

We expect to see it in the flesh in February or March, though it will be officially introduced by Subaru on December 25. The car will be based upon the same platform as the new 2008 Impreza. That car is far more refined than the car it replaced and its sales have been strong. We look forward to this new Forester. I expect it to be a strong seller and the best small SUV in its class!

Blind Presidential Preference Test

2007-12-05T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here is a test that appeared on WashingtonPost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/candidatequiz/?hpid=topnews
The test has 25 questions that are answered by quotes from candidates. You choose the answer you most agree with, but you don't know whose quote it is. The test also allows you to rate the personal importance of the question. I think you'll enjoy taking it and if you are undecided as I am, you might be surprised at your preference. Let me know how you score. Here is how I scored.
McCain 21 points
Paul 8 points
Huckabee 12 points
Romney 24 points
Thompson 21 points
Guiliani 16 points

Whom the Lord Loves He Disciplines....

2007-11-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

I’m now almost 19 months into fatherhood and it is a life-changing experience. Last night was one of those experiences which tests a father’s willingness to discipline his child and a husband and wife’s ability to work together in the process.

Our agreement as parents includes two behaviors in Jonathan’s life which are treated with zero tolerance. One is outright disobedience and the other is lying. We have not yet encountered the second, but we certainly encountered the first last night.

Pearl has taught Jonathan to pick up his toys before he goes to bed. Normally, he does this willingly. However, last night I read a book with him which he typically wanted read repeatedly. I read it several time, but then said to him, “Jonathan, this is the last time I will read tonight. After this, you must pick up your toys”.

Jonathan defiantly refused to pick them up. I had to discipline him the most severely that I ever have before he would pick them up. Afterward, he was very cold to me. After I put him in bed, he began to cry. At first, I thought I’d let him cry himself to sleep. I even thought of asking Pearl if she wanted to go up and console him. Then, I thought, “No, I administered the discipline, so I need to go up and let him know that I love him“.

I went to his room and took him in my arms. I began to sing songs that I sing with him often. At first, he cried, Then suddenly, with his head buried in my shoulder, he laughed. He laughed softly through an entire song. At the end of that song, I said “I love Jonathan”. He laughed again. I put him back in the crib and talked gently to him, told him again that I love him, and said “good night”. He went to sleep and slept through the night.

Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us that God disciplines his children. However, his discipline is not retributive; that is, God does not punish us to pay us back for the wrong we do. Rather, he disciplines us to correct us and to improve our character. When Jonathan disobeyed, we disciplined him. Afterward, when he obeyed we showed him that we love him deeply. For a father, it is easier in the moment to avoid discipline, but we should be followers of God and discipline our own children. Then, just as God renews fellowship with us after we confess our sin and repent, we have the opportunity show our unconditional love to our children.

Jesus Compared to...

2007-11-24T20:51:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Erwin Lutzer's latest book, Slandering Jesus. Here's a quote from it that is worth pondering.

"During the Russian revolution of 1918, Lenin said that if Communism were implemented, there would be bread for every household. Yet he never had the nerve to say, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).

Hitler made astounding claims for the role of Germany on this planet, believing that he was beginning a thousand-year Reich (rule). Despite these outlandish claims, he never said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24).

Buddha taught enlightenment, yet he died seeking more light. He never said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Mohammad claimed that he and his tribes were descendants from Abraham through Ishmael, one of Abraham's sons. But he did not say, "Before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58).

Freud believed that psychotherapy would heal people's emotional and spiritual pains. But he could not say, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

New age gurus say that we will all be reincarnated, yet not a one of them can say, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26)."

Jesus is simply incomparable.

I Can See!

2007-11-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

I enjoy preaching. Here is one of my favorite sermons. It may be a little unusual in its form as I present it in narrative form with the main points of the sermon delivered in a brief summary at the end.

“I Can See”
Luke 24:13-35
A Narrative

How can we know today that Jesus is the Saviour in whom we should place our trust?

Setup Narration:
Cleopas and his wife (possibly) are making a 7.5 mile trip from Jerusalem to their small town of Emmaus. It is late in the afternoon of the Sunday of (unbeknownst to them) the resurrection. They are grieving deeply over the death of Jesus, both because of the horror they witnessed and the shock that he is gone.

Conversation I: Cleopas and his wife
He: What do you make of the news from the women this morning?
She: Very strange! Saying that they saw a vision of angels
He: Yes, and finding the tomb empty…. How can it be that Jesus, who performed such mighty miracles and was so kind could have met such an horrible death?
She: Perhaps we should dwell on the good things he did. Do you remember the day he fed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes?
He: Yes! There must have been ten thousand people there, at least! He kept reaching into the basket and each time there would be more bread. What a miracle!
She: And do you remember the sermon afterward?
He: Yes, “I am the bread of life that is come down from heaven”.

Narration:
As they walked, and they were walking rather slowly, they realized that someone was approaching them from behind, walking more briskly. Cleopas glanced back to see how close the fellow-traveller was. He was closing quickly, but seemed harmless. The stranger drew abreast of them, then slowed his pace to match theirs.
Jesus: Hello, fellow travelers! How are you on this beautiful day!
Cleopas: We are in good health.
Jesus: Why do you look so sad? “This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” the scriptures say!
Cleopas: Thank you, but honestly, we are in grief over the death of a dear friend.
Jesus: I am sorry. Who was this friend, if I might enquire.
Cleopas: Since you are coming from Jerusalem, you have probably heard about him. His death occurred on Friday last. It was a quite public event and caused quite a stir.
Jesus: Really? What happened?
Cleopas: Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?
Jesus: What things?
Cleopas: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth…
…a prophet mighty in word and deed before God and all the people…
…our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him…
…but we had hoped that he was the one who would redeem Israel…
…today is the third day since these things occurred…
…some of our women were at his tomb this morning. His body was gone and they said they saw a vision of angels who proclaimed that he was alive. Others went to the tomb and also found it empty, but they did not see Jesus’ body.
Jesus: O foolish ones and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?

Narration:
Cleopas and his wife were shocked at the rebuke and taken aback. “What do you mean?” they inquired. The stranger responded similarly to the later sermons recorded in the book of Acts such as the sermon of Stephen who spoke of Moses who also suffered as the leader of Israel: (read Acts 7:35-39)
The Psalmist also described the suffering of the coming Messiah: read Psalm 22: 1-2, 6-8, 14-18;
At this point, the wife interrupts and asks that they begin walking so that they can arrive home before the sun sets.
Isaiah also foretells the coming suffering of Messiah: read Isaiah 53:2-10
And in many other scriptures the stranger showed them that Messiah had to suffer before he came to glory.

Cleopas: Oh, I see. I had always thought of the scriptures which tell of the coming kingdom, but I had never thought of the scriptures that speak of such suffering as applying to the Messiah. So, these events of the last week are no accident. The suffering of Jesus was God’s plan all along.
Jesus: Yes.
Cleopas: But, I still have one question.
Jesus: Yes?
Cleopas: I understand that Jesus had to suffer, but now he is dead. How can he reign as king while he is dead?
Wife: Well, here we are at home. Finally! Thank you for an interesting and enlightening conversation. It was a pleasure, but it has been a long day and I think we should go inside and take our rest now.
Jesus: Yes. Well, I shall be on my way then…
Cleopas: NO! I mean, no, you should come inside and spend some time with us. You must be weary as well. You could sit down and relax…and eat…and…we could talk some more.
Jesus: Why, thank you. That is very generous. I appreciate the offer, but I believe I will continue on…
Cleopas: NO! No! I insist. Come inside. Please.

Narration: The stranger entered in. The theological conversation was suspended while the feet of the visitor were washed followed by the hosts. Then the wife and husband began to prepare some food. After it was ready, they gathered at the table. All were seated. Then the stranger rose. He took the loaf of bread in his hand and he said “Father, I thank you for the life you have given me and these your children. Bless this food. Amen”.
The prayer took them back to that earlier day when Jesus had given thanks to the Father for the five loaves and two fishes, then he had blessed the food. They opened their eyes to look at him and, just as he had done on that day, he broke the loaf, extended his hands and handed it to them. But, this time, as he extended his hands, they reached and took the bread and the empty hands revealed fresh wounds like wounds of a nail having pierced his hands. Suddenly, their eyes were opened and they realized who he was. Before they could exclaim “Jesus!” he vanished!

All at once he walked beside me like he’d been there all along
Not a stranger, but a Father who can sense when something’s wrong
And he answered all my questions and he understood my fears
Which seemed to vanish now that he was near
I couldn’t bear for him to leave me so I begged him please to stay
Spend the evening, a few moments before he went his way
Then like a host he stood and blessed me, broke the bread and poured the wine
Then I knew there was something there I recognized
I can see who walks with me
I can hear who speaks my name
I can feel something stirring in my soul.
How his words still ring strong and true like a once familiar strain
And I know I’ll never be the same
I can see
And from that moment in time I felt the emptiness subside
And all the wonder of creation shining through
And for the first time in my life I really looked into his eyes and saw eternity and suddenly I knew
I can see!

Cleopas and wife: Jesus! He Is Alive!
Cleopas: Did not your heart burn within you while he talked with us on the way!
Wife: Yes, Yes!
Narrator: They rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. Their trip to Emmaus had been slow and deliberate. On their return to Jerusalem, donkeys and camels along the way were surprised to see that two-legged travel could be so brisk!
When they arrived in Jerusalem to share the news they discovered that they were not alone. Jesus had appeared to Peter and the remainder of the eleven were believing that Jesus was alive. The disciples listened to Cleopas’ story and they received the message gladly.

How Can We Know Jesus as Saviour, Today as They Did Then?
The Objective Reality: The tomb is empty!
The Spiritual Reality: Jesus opened to them the Scriptures to reveal the Father’s message about Jesus and the Holy Spirit illuminated their minds so that could receive it.
The Relational Reality: The truth was confirmed by others who had
also seen the empty tomb, had seen Jesus, and had come to understand the scriptures

Jury Duty

2007-11-19T18:18:00.000-05:00

From October 29 - November 1, 2007, I served on a jury at the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, PA. Below is a summary of my experience and the verdict our jury reached. This information was originally posted on Baptist Board.com

A Synopsis of the Case
The jury rendered its verdicts today. Here is a synopsys of the case. Greg was a 25 year old man on September 19, 2006 living in Kensington section of Philadelphia. Across the street from his house, several doors down, he owned a second house which he was renovating. James Johnson, a drug dealer, "hung around" the block and often stashed his drugs on Greg's vacant property. Greg, who is mildly retarded, and has several learning disabilities tried to keep James away from his property, but was unsuccessful. On this particular day, Greg's two half-brothers, Derrick and Dominique, ages 16 and 14 came over with their friend Kyle. When they heard from Greg how upset he was that James was hanging around and selling drugs, they went over to confront James and tell him to get off the property. Greg's brothers, Dominique and Derrick, returned to Greg's home and stayed out on the street working on a motor scooter. About 15 minutes later, James' "boss", Derrick Wright arrived brandishing a revolver and threatening Derrick and Kyle (who were still on the street; by this point, Dominique has gone inside). A scuffle between Derrick Wright and Derrick over the gun ensued. Kyle ran in the house. In the scuffle, Wright prevailed and began to pistol whip Derrick on the forehead, striking him five times. Dominique, inside and hearing the commotion, came out of the house, grabbed a baseball bat, and struck Derrick Wright from behind in the back of the head. Derrick Wright turned to Dominique and fired at him from about five feet away stricking him in the neck (with a snake bullet which contains buckshot). Dominique turned to run away. While he was running, Derrick Wright fired at him three times and struck him in the arm and in both shoulders, breaking one shoulder bone. Then, Derrick Wright and James turned and fled the scene.In our case, the Commonwealth of PA was charging James Johnson with the following:
-conspiracy to murder Greg, Derrick, and Dominique
-conspiracy to assault with a deadly weapon Greg, Derrick, and Dominique
-assault with a deadly weapon with intent to cause bodily harm on Greg, Derrick, and Dominique
-assault with a deadly weapon on Derrick and Dominique

The Verdict
After our jury received its charge from the judge, we began our deliberations. Two issues were crucial for us and once they were decided they led to our conclusions about James Johnson’s guilt.The first issue was the matter of conspiracy. Remember that James Johnson, who was charged with the crimes, had not committed any of the alleged crimes with his own hand. Had he conspired to commit them with Derrick Wright? On the stand, all four victims had testified about a cell phone call the James placed after his argument with the brothers Greg, Dominique, and Derrick. However, there were differences in the details of the testimony about the cell phone calls that the defense lawyer used to try to raise a reasonable doubt in our minds. For instance, Kyle, Dominique, and Greg all testified that James spoke into his phone and address “D”, a nickname for Derrick Wright. However, Derrick testified that James addressed “Derrick” and he testified that he remembered this specifically because it was his own name. Worse yet, the defense revealed that, while the four had testified about the cell phone call on the stand, not one of them had mentioned this in their signed testimony to police on the evening of the day the attack occurred. This raised the possibility that the four had concocted this story later during the year since the attack occurred. Two elements helped us overcome these doubts. First, each of the boys who testified seemed mentally slow to one degree or another, not to mention the fact that three of the four were teenagers who were visibly nervous about testifying in open court while facing the accused. Derrick, for instance, made an error in his testimony that was quite blatant. He testified repeatedly that he had been pistol-whipped on his right brow. The prosecutor reviewed this with him several times and he persisted in this testimony. Later, when the photographs of his injuries were passed to us it was obvious from his swelling that he had been attacked on the left brow. Because of these factors, we agreed that, despite the discrepancies in the details of the testimony about the cell phone call, the call had almost certainly occurred. We also concluded this because the odds against the alternative were astronomically unlikely. That is, if James Johnson did not call Derrick Wright, we had to conclude that James Johnson had an argument with the four and in fifteen minutes Derrick Wright showed up mysteriously and viciously attacked these four; three of whom did not live on that block and rarely visited there. The jury was able to agree that James Johnson had entered into a conspiracy with Derrick Wright to attack the four who were interfering with his drug trade.

The second question was, what had James Johnson conspired to do? Had he conspired to have these boys murdered and had Derrick Wright attempted to murder the boys? At first, the jury was leaning toward a “guilty” verdict. However, I felt that James and Derrick were trying to intimidate the boys and get them to leave the area or at least stop interfering with James’ business, not kill them. I felt this way because when Derrick Wright pistol-whipped Derrick and had him on the ground, he did not turn the gun on him and shoot him. Also, when Derrick Wright fired on Dominique, he fired face-on from about 4-5 feet, but with a “snake shot” which scatters shot like a shot gun rather than making a concentrated hit as with a bullet. This type of shot is less likely to kill a human. Then Derrick shot Dominique three times in the back, but he did not hit his head nor the trunk of his body. Rather he hit him in one arm and in both shoulders. From the locations of these attacks and their manners I concluded that Derrick was not trying to kill anyone, he was merely seeking to intimidate. Based upon this reasoning, we found James “not guilty” of conspiracy to murder.The remaining charges were either conspiracy to commit assault or assault. We found James guilty on all of these counts