The Mother of All Terrorists

One unexpected result of the foiled Christmas Day bombing attack for me was genuinely missing Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff! I mean, does our current Homeland Security Director, Janet Napolitano, instill more or less confidence in you regarding the defense of American lives against acts of terror? She seems well "in over her head!" Niether her statements nor her image tend to project the kind of "security" one might expect from this post.

My point is not to blast our Homeland Security Director. My disappointment with her did catch me by surprise, but it led me to much deeper reflection on our "security." For those who follow Jesus Christ, today's Muslim extremist is just one in a long line of "terrorists" we've faced through the years. Some of our Christian brothers and sisters live in daily terror of their own state governments, which censor their persecution of the saints. Such "terrorists" have always been around, unknowingly taking their cues from the Master Terrorist.

The Bible describes the Mother of all Terrorists like this, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). That is the reality of our lives, fellow believers! We have an enemy who seeks to destroy us...on a daily basis. But rather than living in fear of this Terrorist, with all of his minions and ploys, how should we live?

God says we should live "self-controlled and alert" lives. There is no need to panic as we head into yet another year of war on terror. We keep our lives under control. The call to be alert would remain whether or not radical Muslim terrorists were out there. As believers we know that the most cunning Terrorist of all still exists, so we stay alert to his weapons and wiles. The hero on the Northwest flight to Detroit from Amsterdam was a man named Jasper Schuringa. When Jasper saw the terrorist setting fire to his explosive, he alertly responded and subdued him. That kind of keen awareness should characterize our lives as Christians.

Peter goes on to write in the following verse, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:9-11)

In 2010 we will undoubtedly face more acts of terror. But in Christ we are fit with courage to "resist" the enemy; with the joy that comes from real "faith;" with the love that compels us to support our "brothers throughout the world undergoing the same kind of suffering;" and with the hope of "eternal glory in Christ" that sustains us.

So, really, who needs Janet when you've got Jesus?

WATCH OUT FOR THE PLANK!

It is no secret that I bleed blue and love the University of Kentucky Wildcats. What many don't know is that while serving in Indiana in the early 1990's I came to respect coach Bob Knight as well. For one thing, he was the only Big Ten basketball coach who was still teaching in the classroom during that era. His outbursts of rage, crude language, and physical abuse of players were indefensible. But I could not help but appreciate his high standard of discipline on the basketball court.

Certainly a couple of Coach John Calipari's teams have had their issues with the NCAA. But since his arrival at UK he's been the epitomy of "class." He has embraced the Big Blue nation with humility and he unashamedly talks of worshiping Christ daily. I'm not saying the guy is a saint, just that from what we've seen so far he seems sincere about his faith and family, and is a class act.

Well, Calipari totally outclassed Knight this week! In response to Knight's cheap shot against him, citing him as the poster child for college's basketball's lack of integrity, Calipari once again show true class. Ukatletics.com quoted Calipari as saying that while on his way to morning mass he saw like 100 text messages and wondered what had happened. When he realized it was about Knight's remarks, Calipari said that he's a big Knight fan, that he respected him, and even went as far as crediting Bobby with helping him perfect the dribble drive offense. While Coach Cal said he disagreed with what Knight said about him and there being a lack of character in college basketball, he said it wouldn't change how he feels about Knight.

Keep up the humble, sincere, classy spirit Coach Cal! Your actions reveal your true character.

And Bobby, maybe you could take a cue from the One who is most qualified to speak about character - Jesus Christ. He said, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ...You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:3,5).

"When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves - praise the Lord!" (Judges 5:2)

So begins the song of Deborah and Barak, two bold Israelis who liberated their country from 20 cruel years of oppression. The book of Judges reminds us over and over again that God raises up leaders for His people when we call upon Him.

Today is a great day for a body of sincere followers of Jesus who comprise Heritage Christian Church in Fayetteville, GA. Because today is the day that God has raised up a new Pastor to lead this beloved congregation. And the exclamation point on God's providential care for Heritage is that they welcomed their new Pastor with a unanimous affirmation! God is praised indeed when His people willingly offer themselves to follow His will!

I believe this is "a match made in Heaven" and that Heritage along with their new Pastor and his family will be a great blessing to God and the community (and the continents) they serve. To find out more about this "match" check out Heritage's website: www.heritagechristian.org.

Having just visited that website and watched the introductory video for the new Pastor, that verse from Judges 5:2 really stood out to me. There have been some incredibly intense challenges that the Heritage Elder Team has had to navigate over the past 11-months during this transition in the lead Pastor role. And wow, did these guys ever rise to the ocassion! "When the princes in Isreal take the lead...God is praised!"

Men who serve as Elders in the Lord's church often serve with a great deal of devotion and very little appreciation. Having served with these men I can say with confidence that they are indeed "princes" of our Lord Jesus! They have shepherded God's people through unprecedented terrain with courage, commitment, and conviction. So here is a shout out to Biff, Bob, Ed, Mark, Mike, Michael, and Scott! You've led with genuine humility and faith in God!

That great song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5 ends with this refrain: "may they who love you (Lord) be like the sun when it rises in its strength." May it be so of all our brothers and sisters at Heritage as well! And then the chapter ends, "Then the land had peace forty years." May God grant such peace, and even more, upon His shepherds and His church in Fayetteville, GA and around the world!

FORGETTING GOD?

My wife often reminds me of how forgetful I am. She usually points this out when I ask her if she knows where I put my wallet, or keys, or shoes! My assistant also knows my tendency to "space it," especially when it comes to meetings. Not only has she set my computer calendar to sound an alarm prior to each meeting, but she even texts me a reminder...sad, I know.

As forgetful as I can be at times, honestly, I've never figured how the Israelites could actually forget God! The Bible says, "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs" (Judges 3:7). How do you forget God? Does He just slip your mind? Does He simply drop from your consciousness? I can sympathize with those who forget things, but they FORGOT GOD!

I think another passage clears it up for us. Romans 1:28 talks of those who do evil in God's sight and says, "they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God." Now it makes sense, right? You cannot just forget God like you forget an appointment or where you placed your keys. We forget God by conscious choice. We decide to put Him out of our mind. We actually have to work at forgetting God! It takes intentional effort. It's true. The times I fall into sin are the times I deliberately don't think about God.

Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. Every American knows why we celebrate the holiday. The Pilgrims gave thanks to God for getting them through the first winter in the New World. But I wonder how many will choose to forget God today. Besides a quick prayer at the dinner table, I wonder if most of us will forget to humbly and genuinely give thanks to God for all of His provision in our lives.

I'm glad we still have Thanksgiving Day. It's a good day to REMEMBER God and give Him thanks...real, heartfelt thanks. Now, if I could just remember where I put my shoes!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

BATTLING THE BEAN!

For the past five days I've cut out my coffee intake. That's a big deal since I normally do 6-8 cups a day. After battling mood swings that go from being easily aggravated one minute to being totally depressed the next, I'm not sure I can keep away from the Starbucks much longer. Pray for me!

I've been reading from the book of Judges (for the umpteenth time) and again find myself amazed by the repitition of Israel's bad behavior and God's faithful deliverance. It's like a broken record! Here's the cycle:

Israel does evil in the eyes of the Lord -- God punishes Israel with foriegn oppressors -- Israel repents and cries out to God -- God raises up a Judge to deliver Israel.

That cycle repeats itself over and over. It gets frustrating to see how cold Israel continually grows in her commitment to Almighty God, especially when He keeps rescuing her again and again. What's that definition of insanity again?

But the truth is, I relate far to well with Israel to stay frustrated for very long. Ultimately, I just end up humbled and extremely grateful to God for His faithfulness and mercy.

In all honesty, this is like the 10th time I've tried to kick the coffee habit over the last 15 years. I've rationalized it over and over. Trust me, I know that a recent medical report described the benefits of drinking coffee. That report has caused me to go back and forth a couple of times arleady...and it (along with that great aroma, smooth taste, and warm sensation) will probably keep me fighting the battle over the bean for the rest of my life!

And if I'm really honest, I'll be fighting battles over besetting sin for the rest of my life too. That's why I thank God for His faithfulness, just like we find in Judges! Here's a verse I get jazzed about even without a caffiene kick: "If we are faithless, He will remain faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13). That makes me want to keep on keeping on...how about you?

TEST-TAKING

How do you feel about "tests"? I have a dear friend enduring some extremely important medical tests this week. My older kids are immersed in study for a couple hours each day preparing for their tests in school (well, a guy can wish...right?). A brother in Christ from Pakistan, staying in our home, tells of being tested by radical muslims who frequently threaten his life and the lives of those he loves.

I've never looked forward to tests with eager anticipation. Yeah, I know they are necessary indicators of progress, but do you have to savor them? Today my devotional reading was from Judges 3:1-4. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The Bible says:

"These are the nations the Lord left to test all of those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience)...They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord's commands..."

To be honest, I kind of hoped that my last exam in Seminary would be my final exam in life. Of course, over the last couple of decades there have been many, many more tests, on a variety of topics and with varying levels of difficulty. I don't think God has written all of these exams, by the way. I'm quite sure Satan put together a few of the pop quizzes. But God has allowed them to be administered.

Unfortunately, I've not always aced those tests either. In some cases an "F" would have been way too generous. If we're honest, we'll admit how well we relate to the refrain appearing throughout the book of Judges: "Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord."

But have the tests made me more battle-worthy, like they did those young Israeli soldiers in the days of the Judges? I sure hope so. Here's the goal I'm holding on to..."the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete" (James 1:3,4). However we might feel about or perform in the tests of life, God promises to use them to mature and complete us in Christ.

Not only do they indicate our progress, the tests of life induce it. Although I've never looked forward to the test, I've always loved the sense of relief that comes when it's over. Here's what God says we have to look forward if we'll hold on to Him during the test - "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...the devil will...test you... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).

PARADOX

While stuck on the tarmac at CVG recently, I was trying to wait patiently as the plane underwent repairs before take off. About 30 minutes in, my fellow travelers and I got a much needed distraction. The flight attendant pointed to a large plane across from us with some unusual passengers. The fleet of trailors that drove in like the Spanish Armada quickly revealed that the plane was loaded with high-dollar horses! It seemed paradoxical to watch dozens of these animals which once provided a major means of transportation, trot out of a jet airplane. And, yes, as we sat motionless at the gate it was tempting to joke about whether they could get us to our destination more quickly!

One of the things that makes life so interesting, and often fun, is that it's full of irony. The great A.W. Tozer captured the paradox of the Christian life in his book, The Root of Righteousness. I hope this quote from Tozer will encourage you as much as it has me!

“A REAL CHRISTIAN is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge.”