This was a great week-end. Most of you already know that my daughter Haylee was baptized Saturday evening. The previ0us week-end she had gone to help in the church under the bridge in Waco. This church ministers to the homeless in Waco and each Sunday has a worship service and a meal for the homeless. One of our youth leaders had gathered the teens in a circle and asked various members of the youth group to read aloud certain scriptures. He asked Haylee to read aloud Gal.2:20 which includes "I have been crucified with Christ", Haylee respectfully declined to read the text. The youth leader in a state of shock asked her why she would not read it and she replied "because I have not been crucified with him and don't believe I should say something that's not true of me".

Now its true of her and immediately following her baptism we all read Gal.2:20 aloud and in unison. Haylee joined with us. It was a thrill for her mom and dad, as well as others who were present at her baptism


Please pray for her and that she will be a powerful influence for the Lord.

rd

rd ramblings and reflections

Sometimes I try to think in terms of the big picture and most of the time my mind is overwhelmed because the big picture includes God and trying to figure out what He might be doing behind the scenes is beyond human comprehension except for maybe an occasional glimpse from precedents in the past. Yet faith requires that I not assume that humankind is in the driver's seat of world affairs. Thus as the election approaches I ask myself if God is involved in the process and if so what might His will be for the outcome and the consequences that would seem to follow.. Admittedly such analysis is speculative and some would say worthless. If you are of such a mind, then turn on Fox or go to Drudge where speculation doesn't include God. Maybe such is safer and more spiritual. You be the judge, but for those who have little to do and who believe God might be ok with such speculation then continue to read and let me know what you think.

First, I believe in God's providence. I don't believe that everything that happens is determined solely by man's thoughts and actions. When the ir0n curtain came down so unexpectedly and confounded all the experts in 1989, I believe God's providence was involved. When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, I believe human thought and action precipitated the event, but that God brought together the circumstances in such a way that the sell of Joseph happened in order to accomplish a purpose of God that transcended Joseph's experience. I wonder if God has some purpose in mind beyond election Tuesday that might transcend America and our personal lives. Could it be that God has some purpose beyond the national boundaries of the United States.

I'm sure leaders of Iran would answer yes to my last question and would argue that Allah wants America with its infidels to decline into an economic and violent abyss. Obviously I disagree with such an assessment, but we must remember that there are millions who are praying to their God and working to see that their prayer becomes reality.

Second. consider some of the events of the past couple of months leading up to the election. After the Republican convention and McCain's selection the polls showed McCain with a lead. The surge was working and at that time Iraq was the big issue in the minds of Americans. Then unexpectedly and overnight the bottom fell out of the economy. Who predicted it? Why did it happen when it did? Coincidence. maybe! Providence, surely we don't rule out that possibility. If it did have to do with a stategy of God, then we ask "what is God up to"? Why would He rig the election so that Obama would win? Doesn't He know that those of us who are serving Him are fearful of the consequences of an Obama administration , especially as it may impinge upon certain freedoms in our land such as freedom of religion to speak as the bible speaks even on such subjects as homosexuality and gay marriage. Surely God agrees with us Roe vs Wade opened up the floodgates of death and needs to be overturned, but that such will not happen in our lifetime if Obama is elected.

Just as with Joseph, God may have a salvation strategy that we are unable to comprehend that even transcends the immediate critical issue of life. Is such possible? As important as life is, could there be anything more important. From a human standpoint my answer would be no, but from an eternal standpoint, my answer would be yes. Eternal life is even more important then life in this world. The infants in the womb are ok eternally, but millions and billions of lives outside the womb are not ok eternally. The message of Christ and his mission of salvation may in God's sight transcend the issues of American politics.

Over the past decade or two some amazing things have been happening. The center of Christian influence has been moving south and east . For several hundred years the center of Christian influence and mission was the west (Europe and America). Look at the great cathedrals of Western Europe, they are museums with memories of a christian past. America's christianity has become soft and watered down into a nice comfortable cultural community not much different from other therapeutic communites such as AA. God blessed America and I believe His providence made it possible for America to win the revolutionary war and prosper under a constitutional form of government, but today we have forgotten. God warned Israel through Moses that after they entered the promised land they would be tempted to forget who brought them there and even begin to worship other gods and give them the credit for their prosperity and plenty. Hundreds of years later in Hosea, chapter two, Hosea writes that Israel had forgotten who brought her to the land and had committed spiritual adultery by going after other gods.

Have we forgotten? For a few days following 9-11 we briefly remembered. Even congress remembered as law makers gathered on the steps of the capital to sing of how God had blessed America and pray that He would do so again. However, repentance did not come and remebrance was short lived.

Maybe its time for God to raise up His people in other lands and to move our prosperity south and east where people with greater enthusiam and commitment will carry His torch in the world and bring the message of Christ to the world. Maybe christianity in America has followed after the baals of our culture. Just as Israel did, we call the baals by the name of Yahweh but our God is not really to be identified with the God who brought us here.

Technology, entertainment. prosperity and comfort have replaced the Christ who calls us to the cross. Maybe we are to be brought back to the cross for the sake of the world, and if we refuse the journey back God will reach the world from the south and the east while we fade into the museums of the past.

I obviously have no confidence in my speculations because I'm not God or a prophet, but I do have some historical patterns from the past that suggest that my speculation is not without basis. Is such speculation alarming and disquieting, sure it is. False prophets of old preached peace because they found that people had rather be comforted than alarmed, and usuallly paid the preacher better when they heard "peace, peace" rather than"repentance, judgment".

My prayer is that the above speculation is wrong and that Tuesday will be a day we can celebrate because of a victory that in our humble estimation will be best for America and Christianiy. However, if we are disappointed may we remember that we are a kingdom people even before we are Americans and that we may still believe that God's kingdom can and will prosper if we continue to serve our king and pray for His people not just in America, but to the south, east , north and west. "Thy kingdom(reign) continue to come and expand".

Just 3 days to v day. What are our major concerns should Barak Obama be elected? socialism? enemies abroad might be emboldened to attack as Joe Biden warned? increased taxes that might even do more damage to the economy? These are legitimate concerns, but none of these are my number one concern.

My number one concern may be illustrated by the following:
(1) Joe the plumber challenges Obama's plan to raise taxes and suddenly Ohio begins an in depth background check on Joe. Is he behind in child support? Is he up to date on all his loans and taxes? Who are his friends? etc..(2) dozens of investigators upon the announcement of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate land in Alaska to do in depth research to see what problems they can find with Palin's past. (3) Three newspapers endorse John McCain and suddenly the Obama plane no longer has space for reporters from these papers to accompany the Obama parade. Obama's bridge building rhetoric becomes hollow when you find that those who don't agree with him will be punished rather than engaged in discussion. Will this be the way he negotiates with Iran, Russia and China? And Bush is a cowboy!

Over and over voices opposing Obama encountered discipline rather than discussion. Do you think talk radio has any chance of survival when Obama is president and the senate and house are in the control of his colleagues in the same party?? I have problems with some talk shows because I think they have more air than thought, but we are still better off by having freedom of speech as opposed to controlled speech. Do you think talk radio will be the only victim? What about the internet? What about churches? Already the IRS watches over churches and parachurch organizations to make sure they don't become involved in elections. Of course many do and have for a long time, but in the future will certain kinds of churches become more of a threat than others? Jeremiah Wright will probably be viewed as a wonderful example of freedom of religion, but those like James Dobson who consider homosexuality as a sinful behavior might want to be extra careful.

The previous paragraph would be considered by many as trading in fear. We're told "it would never happen here". Canadian churches would have said that a few years ago, but now laws exist in Canada that designate certain bibical texts as hate speech and one who cites those texts in public places is in danger of being placed behind bars. Some have already suffered that fate.

AN ACT FOR ESTABLISHING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM authored by Thomas Jefferson in 1786 includes the following: "to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his powers into the field of opinion and to restrain the profession or propagation of principles, on the supposition of their ill tendency is a dangerous fallacy, which at once destroys all religious liberty....it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and order....truth is great and will prevail if left to herself.. she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict..unless disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors cease to be dangerous when (truth) is permitted freely to contradict them.

May we pray that free argument and debate will always be unhindered by political power of the left or the right. If religions we don't agree with can be silenced then those we do agree with can be silenced by the same powers and if political argument we don't embrace can be silenced so can the argument that we endorse. Pray for our country's decision and for the candidates even the one we may not endorse. Truth can handle itself if allowed the freedom to express itself.

rd

To be or not to be, to blog or not to blog, that is the question. The popularity of my blog is evident by the comments I receive. Linda has asked that I continue and I appreciate her loyal following and I guess as long as I have two followers, Linda and the blog's author, its worth it. After all, as an introvert, I'm not much into crowds anyway. Today's blog presents me as the counsellee and my reader as the counsellor. In other words I need to vent and I know you will want to read my story.

In March of 2007 I bought a pre-owned Toyota Avalon. In June of 2008, I received a message from the Illinois Tollway that included a picture of my Avalon having passed through a toll booth without paying the toll. I was informed that I owed a fine of $104.00. At first I was puzzled then I noticed that the violation occurred in June of 2006. I thought "Oh this will be easy to resolve, I'll just call them and inform them that I did not purchase the car until 9 months after the violation". Wrong! I called and they informed me that I would have to provide proof.

I asked them how they had determined me to be the owner. They said the information was supplied by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. I then called the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and they said. Our records show clearly that you purchased the auto in March 2007 and did not own the vehicle at the time of the violation. They suggested I ask the representative of the tollway to call TDMV and they would correct any misunderstanding the tollway might have. When I called my helpful Tollway representative, they said I would have to provide proof. By now a principle is at stake for me. I asked why I should have to correct their error and that all it would take was for them to make a simple telephone call. I was informed that they don't involve third parties. When I asked how that could be true, since they had involved them in acquiring the data that supposedly listed me as the owner of the car. They said they had policies to follow.

Meanwhile I had received another notice warning me that the fine is now 375.00 and climbing.
I spoke to five different people at the tollway and spent 3 hours of their time and mine when a two minute conversation between them and the TDMV could have solved the problem. I pointed out that the crime was committed by the car, not by me and that it seemed rather obvious to me that I am being assumed guilty rather than innocent and that the burden of proof should be on them. Furthermore I pointed out to them that even the TDMV representative said they would look awfully silly if they came after me since it is so evident that the truth is on my side. Surprizingly, they were not impressed and reminded me that I must provide documentation proving that I didn't own the auto or I would remain in violation.

What's wrong with our country? Policies and bureaucracies that spend 4 hours of taxpayers money on something a two minute telephone call could resolve. Automated telephone answering systems and dialing systems intrude upon our privacy and eat up our time. I think operations like the Illinois tollway operate by the assumption that if they can waste enough of your time and hassle you long enough you will pay whether you owe it or not. They may be right, for I don't want my license taken away or have to appear before an Illinois judge or serve time in the slammer.

I know, I know , why don't I just send the documentation they are asking for? Did I mention there is a principle at stake, although at the moment I can't remember what it is.

Sunday morning following the morning worship a young man who is in a rehab center for drug addiction, asked me to define virtue. I had mentioned virtues in my sermon. It dawned on me that we are familiar with values but not virtues. In our discussion of the coming elections we hear a lot about the values of the candidates, but not much is said concerning their virtues.

In its classical definition "virtue" means the power to accomplish a particular function. Hemlock could be referred to as a "deadly virtue". Some older translations rendered Mark's words "Jesus, immediately knowing that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press and said, Who touched my clothes" in a way that illustrates the classical definition of virtue as power

Eventually, virtue came to mean a man who is whole and strong, one who can fulfill his moral function in society. The Greek virtues included were four in number: justice, prudence, self control and courage. These four are embraced in the New Testament, and specific
Christian virtues of faith, love and hope were added to these so that in later history, these were the characteristics usually used to describe a virtuous man from a christian standpoint, while at least the first four were essential to all men and women. Virtues were about character formation and were learned in childhood from family and faith communities. In modern times virtue has fallen out of favor and has been relegated to a Victorian past. Instead "values" are in favor today. Values are fluid and depend upon the eyes of the beholder. Just as the buyer and seller will disagree about the value of a car, so we disagree about morality and neither of us can prove the other wrong because values are personal and subjective.

Virtue was not just a concern of Christians. Plato, Aristotle and Socrates discussed it. Confucius said (and he really did)that the superior man thinks always of virtue while the common man thinks of comfort.

I'm afraid most of us are more common than superior. Because the family is crumbling so are the foundations. Our children know the price everything and the value of nothing. It takes virtue to shape values.

To paraphrase C .S. Lewis, I would rather play cards against a man who is skeptical about ethics, but bred to believe that "a gentleman does not cheat" that one who has a phd in moral philosophy but grew up among card sharks.

If you see an application to anything going on in the election process, well good for you. You might be virtuous after all.

rd

Another beautiful morning in the neighborhood. The skies are clear, the air is crisp and God is on the throne.

Eight days to go and then we learn our fate for the next four years. There are encouraging trends that suggest that the race may be tightening. More recent polls suggest that the difference between candidates may be 5% or less. Several swing states show a tightening. The discovery yesterday of a tape of Obama on a radio talk show advocating the courts and congress should do more to redistribute the wealth confirms the comment he made to Joe, the plumber. The radio show was from 2001 and proves that his views have been consistent. Will it make a difference to the American voters, who knows. Our heritage has been freedom and justice with the defense of property rights. Class envy has not been considered a good thing. Rather individual responsibility and self determination have been the virtues thought to lead to success. We have rejected the maxim "from each according to his means to each according to his needs.". In rejecting the maxim, we have not been indifferent to the needs of our fellow human beings.

In 2006 Arthur Brooks, a professor of public administration at Syracuse University, wrote a book containing his extensive research in Americans giving patterns or charitable giving. The bookWHO REALLY CARES is an eye opener. He thought when he began his research that he would find that left leaning voters would be more charitable because of their articulated concern for the underprivileged and poor. However, what he found was that while America has more charitable giving than any country in the world, the majority of the giving comes from conservatives. Why? Because conservatives believe it is their responsibility to help their neighbors and that more money will reach the needy through local and bureaucracy free giving than will reach them through government. Those who believe the government should redistribute the wealth are not nearly as likely to actually come to the rescue of the needy. Of course there are plenty of conservatives who are not liberal givers and plenty of liberals who are generous, but as groups the conservatives are more charitable.

When government takes over our health care, do you think the quality of care will remain the same. Check out the quality of care available in England. There are long waiting lists for major surgery and rationing of care based upon age. The older we get the less appealing is government controlled health care. As someone has said "Anyone who is not a socialist before age thirty has no heart, but anyone who is still a socialist after age 30 has no head".

Its a beautiful morning in the neighborhood. Its 37 degrees and has the fall feel. Great to be alive and blessed to live in America. However, for those of us who believe God rules in the kingdoms of men, there has to be grave concern about the future, not because our faith in God is weak, but because we trust God's word.

From a human standpoint, there are serious problems in our land. Our economy according to Greenspan is going through a "once in a century" tsunami that is destined to lead to escalating unemployment, increase in homeless population, less profits from businesses, and more government control of our economy. Retirees have seen their savings disappear. I could have finished paying for my house with the money I've lost in the last two months. I'm not alone.

The world scene is no more promising the the domestic. Russia continues to flex its remaining muscles, Iran threatens a pre-emptive strike on Israel, North Korea threatens to continue its military build-up and China progresses toward a financial take-over of our country.

The media has proved itself to be aiding and abetting in a move toward silencing certain voices in our country. Congress is most likely going to reinstate the fairness doctrine and silence radio talk shows that have in recent years offered an alternative to the msm. The left and the right have grown more shrill with the passing of time, but the right is going to see itself squeezed out of the conversation. All that will be left is the left. Oh conservatives can write books, but the populace seems more influenced by sound bites then by books.

Unions will no longer have a secret ballot which will give far more power back to union leaders.

Big business has shown itself to be more interested in gold fixtures in the private bathrooms of the CEOs tha the well being of their employees and the country as a whole. Small businesses are closer to the people, but will have a harder time surviving because of increased taxes placed on them.

However, these problems are but the tip of the iceberg. They are but symptoms of far bigger problems that may seal our fate. Two recent reports get closer to the real problems. According to a survey of the American people, 80% of those polled say there is a dirth of leadership in our land. Our founding generation produced Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. How could our founding generation have so many great minds and dedicated leaders while today we search as Jeremiah did for a few true leaders and all we find for the most part are partisan politicians who will say anything and take any position just to get elected and once elected, campaign promises and positions become irrelevant until its time to run for re-election.

Another report informs us that children of Americans are less likely to graduate from high school than their parents were. Our graduation rate is the lowest of any industrialized country in the world. Why is this so? Well, look at our homes. Divorce rate is about 50%. Single parent homes are growing much faster than two parent homes. Children spend far more time alone than I did when I was growing up. I doubt if those hours are filled with study time. In a sports saturated society, many minority students grow up idolizing T.O. and dreaming of their own professional football career and the money and lifestyle that will be theirs. When it doesn't work out, they turn to "whatever". Until more black leaders like Bill Cosby and Thomas Sowell emerge to help instill the values of education, faith, and family, many will continue to go down a path that will lead to ruin and dropouts. Let not whites think we are doing better, many of our daughters are following such icons as Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears. Have you seen Brittany's latest video, it hardly encourages education!

The point is----our problem is a moral crisis that reached the point that may be beyond return. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers realized that the form of government they were instituting would only work when people policed themselves by morals growing out of religious convictions. Though many of the fathers were deists and not conservative "evangelicals" they still realized the importance of faith to the future of the American experiment in liberty. That's why our founding documents spoke of inalienable rights granted us by our Creator, and sought to protect religious freedom. Modern courts have largely undone what the founding fathers put in place. The Christian voice is being systematically removed from the market place of ideas by "separation of church and state". As a result ultimate moral truths are being surrendered for relativism and pragmatism.

Where are the voices of God who will stand in the breach and call for a return to the old paths of absolute moral truth such as the truths expressed in the 10 commandments. God is....marriage and family must be valued and preserved( marriage as a man and woman )... property rights must be preserved (thou shalt not steal and that applies to government also)...Truth must be the coin of our currency( Thou shalt not bear false witness ). Think of some of the things that have been said about Sarah Palin. Above all life must be protected. These values will define a nation. These values are not restricted to Jews and Christians. Read Amos, chapters one and two. Countries without a revealed law were still expected to maintain self evident values that come from natural revelation. All men everywhere should see the wisdom of defending life, marriage and truth even if they don't recognize God. That's why God held accountable nations who knew not God.

Our country has been super blessed and we have a heritage that includes God as the source of permanent moral truths. Yet we've allowed our country to evolve into a selfish, lifeless, truthless culture that is now confused about what to do and seeking everywhere for an exit strategy. Hosea said if you sow to the wind, you will reap the whirlwind. I pray that we will survive the reaping.

Read Micah 7:1-7 and practice verse 7. God bless.