Second Class

If you haven't heard there has been a lot of controversy this week about an ad Focus on the Family has produced for the Super Bowl. The ad is a pro-life message featuring College Football Great, Tim Tebow and his mother.

If you don't know Tim Tebow you can google him and there will be no shortage of information available. In short, he is a two time NCAA National Football Champion and Heisman Award Winner. He is also considered to be a man of tremendous character and faith. He already has plagues dedicated to him on The University of Florida campus (These were produced in advance of his graduation). Some have argued that he may be the greatest college football player of all time.

The ad tells the story of how Tebow's mother suffered through a difficult pregnancy while carrying Tim. It was recommended that she get an abortion due to the difficulties she had encountered. Mrs. Tebow decided to stay the course, honor her faith, and her son's life. Through Tim Tebow's play as a football player, missionary work as a Christian, and leadership he has added much to the world already. It leaves the viewer thinking what could be loss when we abort children.

Lot's of liberal, pro-choice groups, such as National Organization of Women have come out against this ad and NBC. There have also been individuals that have spoken out against this ad citing the polarization of the message as inappropriate for the Super Bowl.

My wife stated, "How is it that it's OK to show half naked women,but it's not OK to talk about life?" Excellent question. There have been all types of commercials shown on Super Bowl Sunday. Some very racy and highly questionable for family viewing (the targeted audience of the Super Bowl). Yet, little protest or outcry. Where was the outrage from the Women's groups? After all, women were being displayed and used as objects to move product. Is that not a negative message?

More and more, Christians are being told not to speak by those that appose their message. People automatically jump to the cry for unity, question the appropriate nature of the venue, and treat our message as though it has no place in the public arena. We are not Second Class citizens! We are first class, equal, like anyone else in this nation or world. Our contributions to this country are well documented. We must stand for truth and for our right to speak that truth in love.

Redeeming Value

I just finished watching the movie The Soloist. It is a moving about the real life story of a man blessed with a tremendous gift of music set back by his struggles with mental illness. It is stated in the movie that the main character, Nathaniel Ayers Jr., suffers from schizophrenia. This is a mental illness that causes the brain to process information in a way that distorts what is being seen and heard.

The movie tries to convey the struggles and humanity of not only Ayers, but of all those that find themselves homeless and suffering from mental illness. During the course of the movie Ayers makes the statement,"I think God made a mistake when he made me. I don't think he wants anything to do with me (paraphrase)." This was a heartrending statement by Ayers.

As I thought more and more about Ayers stated belief that God made a mistake when he made him I began to think that he isn't alone in his assessment. I believe at some point in time many people have felt like a "mistake." They look at their lives, their struggles, their deficiencies, their pain and suffering, their decisions, and wonder-was all this a mistake? Folks look at where they are in life and think how can God use me? They wonder if life is worth fighting for? They wonder is there any redeeming value?

Such questions are frightening. Yet, they are the reality of life for many. The good news is that no matter how bad it is your life is worth redeeming. Your life has value. I think back to Moses. Here was a man that found out at approximately age 40 that he was on the wrong side of the battle. It was around that time that he came to realize that he was part of a kingdom that had enslaved and murdered his people. In an act of rage he killed a man. Moses would flee to the wilderness for fear of losing his life as a consequence of his actions.

While in the wilderness Moses receives a call from God to return to Egypt to free his people from bondage. Moses responds by telling God all of his short comings. God responds by telling Moses He knows exactly who and what Moses is and sent him on his way. To make a long story short, Moses through a series of events did as God commended him and liberated his people. Moses' life was redeemed by doing what God wanted him to do and using what God gave him.

Are you like Nathaniel Ayers or Moses? Do you feel at times that God has made a mistake or that you don't have what it takes? Have you made choices in life that have led you to believe that you can't be redeemed? Don't believe it. God has created us all with a purpose. That purpose comes with the understanding that we are but dust (frail), yet equipped with what we need to do God's will. Christ redeemed and equipped us all with gifts and talents. For Mr. Ayers, his story has helped to shed light on those that are homeless and mentally ill. Ayer's has also shared the beautiful gift of music with many. For Moses, he turned out to be the chief figure of the old testament. You can not recall the history of the Israelites without the story of Moses. And for you......well only you and God know that. Ask God to reveal how he wants to redeem your life and your gifts-sufferings, shortcomings, mistakes, and all. No matter what you are struggling with you have REDEEMING VALUE.

A Celebration of Gospel

Worship has to be one of the most powerful spiritual activities a person can engage in. Worship can move the individual, others, and even God. There are numerous occasions in the scriptures where acts of worship are followed by a powerful move of God. God answers prayer, praise/worship, fasting, obedience, etc...by showing up.

I just finished watching A Celebration of Gospel on BET. It was a fantastic showing of the talent that is promoting the Gospel of Christ through song. Not only was it a show of talent, but it was a moving presentation as the songs spoke to the heart of the people.

I was personally moved during the tribute to Steve Harvey, host of the show. The tribute was a balanced presentation of who Steve Harvey is. It did not paint him as a perfect man, but instead as a man with struggles and in process. The tribute moved Steve Harvey to tears.

The Gospel of Christ is not about perfection. It's not about having it all together. It is about our relationship with God through Christ and His forgiveness. A Celebration of Gospel captured that. You can capture that as well if you will ask Christ to come into your life, forgive your sins, and walk with you. I'm certain BET will repeat this program many times over. Take some time and watch it. Let the Celebration move you.

Being a leader of Men

ESPN has been showing a compilation video of great moments in college football over the last decade. Included in their collage was a video showing the head coach of Iowa State address his team after a victory over Nebraska. The coach was full of emotion as he stood before his team. The young men he had led to victory reciprocated their coaches emotions (I have included the video below).

It is really an inspiring moment. As I watched I thought to myself, "What a feeling to lead men to great heights." It is truly something when you can take a man, or a group of men and together achieve something great. I remember being a member of a two time championship wrestling team back in middle school. My coach expressed gratitude to our entire team. He was thankful for all of our hard work. We too, were thankful. We often referred to each other as family. We looked out for each other and had each other's backs. We pushed each other further then we thought we could go.

Men need a leader. Men need a team. Men need a family-a community of men. If you're lucky, you are part of a team somewhere. Maybe it's your team at work. Maybe it's a local hoops squad you are a part of. If you are truly blessed perhaps you are a part of a church with a pastor that leads and inspires men to follow Christ and achieve greatness. The sad reality is that so many men don't have a team to be a part of or a leader to follow.

Christ was a leader of men and still is. He led the disciples, he led the 120, he led the multitudes. Christ inspires greatness in men. He causes men to be and do things they could have never done apart from Him. Christ sees what is in a man and because he knows the purpose we were created for he stands at the mountain top telling us to "come higher."

If you are a man without a leader and a team may I suggest you start with Christ. Ask Him to lead your life. Ask Him to reveal your gifting and skills. Ask Him what position He would have you play. Maybe He has called you to be a leader of men. Maybe he has called you to be an intricate part of a team. If that is to be, you must first be a follower of Him.

Come one, come all

One of the truly remarkable things about Christ is His miraculous healing power. Biblically speaking, there had been miracles before Christ but not anywhere near the same quantity and quality. Jesus' "heal at will" style drew crowds from near and far. People came from all over seeking the healing touch of Christ.

Matthew 4:23 says, "...And he healed every kind of disease and illness." Every Kind!!! What exciting news. It's exciting because there is nothing that Jesus can't handle. Nothing that he can't heal. What's even more exciting is that He is still healing today. That means that we can come to Him in search of wholeness with hope and expectation.

There is always an open invitation to come to Christ with what is on our hearts and minds. Whatever our sufferings we can present them to Christ. We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our cares on Him. Bringing our "illnesses" to Christ is an act of worship. It says that we recognize that He is the one that can get us through whatever trial we are facing. It recognizes His power. It recognizes God in all the ways that he has revealed Himself to us.

I know that you have probably taken a request to God that seemed to be unanswered. Things like that leave us wondering some time. However, we have to remember that He is sovereign and all of his decisions are good and right. If God chose not to move in a way that was satisfying to you, be certain that it was satisfying to Him for His eternal purposes.

Although things don't always go the way you want don't let that deter you from making your request known. Healing is ours to ask. Healing is His to give. Later on in Matthew 4:24 it goes on to say, "And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed-he healed them all." Go to God with passion, with hope, with expectation, and wait patiently for His response. Whether now, later, or in the everlasting glory, He will heal us all. In the mean time-COME ONE, COME ALL!!!

New Year, New Freedom

I recently began reading through the book The American Patriots Almanac by William Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. I have found it to be a magnificent work retelling the great history of our nation in a way that is concise and interesting. It reads like a daily devotional of American history. Each day tells of a different person, event, or place in America.

The book leads off with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln. January 1st marks the historical date in which President Lincoln signed into law the freeing of all slaves in those rebellious states. With a stroke of his pen he dealt a strong blow to slavery. America would never be the same again.

There are so many things that are significant about this event. The one that stands out most to me is that the Emancipation was signed on January 1st. What great imagery that with a new year came freedom. January 1st is a day that holds so much hope and promise for people. We often look forward to what the future holds. We stand hopeful of what tomorrow brings. With a new year comes our own emancipation from the past. We welcome the new year as a chance to start over. We envision renewal.

The Proclamation states, "all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State...in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thencefoward, and forever free." I believe Christ made a similar proclamation when he arose from the grave. Maybe it reads something like this, "all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State...in rebellion against the Kingdom of God, shall be then, thencefoward, and forever free."

God grants us new mercies each and every day. Included in that is the new mercies of a new year. Let's break free from the chains of the past. Break free from the slavery of sin, poor choices, shortcomings, and downfalls. He who the Son sets free is free indeed. Enjoy this new year-new freedom and live in a way that demonstrates that you are FOREVER FREE.

Victory

I have long been in search of victory in my life. It seems so allusive. Strangely enough, one might think obtaining victory would be easy as a Christian. After all, there has been book after book written on the subject. Whole ministries have been started based on the premise of victory. Overcoming this, Taking Down that, Hour of Victory, Born to Win, Power, Promises, and Promotion, just to name a few (the names here are purely fictional on my part so as to protect the identity of those involved). Well, you get the point.

Victory seems to be so much a part of the Christian life and culture. Yet, when I look around and talk to many of my brothers and sisters in Christ I find that after we stop pretending there's not a whole lot of winning going on. There is a lot of pain, a lot of suffering, a lot of crushed hopes and dreams......very little victory. So, what is the problem? Why don't we have the Victory? Why are we struggling.

I find that most teaching on living victoriously comes with a formulated plan. Perhaps it says something like "fast this many days," "Pray like this," "Worship like that," and let us not forget "Give till it hurts." If you're like me you have sought to obtain victory in this way. You followed the plan in hopes of a breakthrough. You hoped to go to that "next level." You were looking to finally be the head and not the tail, the lender not the borrower. You hoped and hoped. Prayed and prayed. Yet, no victory.

I have asked God about this for many years now. One of the answers I believe He has given me is that our view of victory is just not on par with His. Remember, His ways are not our Ways. When you look at the Cross and the great suffering of our Savior I can't imagine that in our humanity we would have chosen that course of action to obtain victory over sin, death, and the devil. We would have likely deployed the angels, called down fire from on high, or with the words of our mouth simply made it right. Who among us would have known that Christ was actually winning as He suffered on the cross? His followers weren't thinking, "Championship!" on that day. Yet, it was through this seeming loss that Christ paid our debt, wiped away our sin, and obtained eternal life for us. I could go on about this but I will save that for another time.

The other issue might be that we are looking for victory in things rather than in a person. Psalm 3:8 says, "Victory comes from you, O Lord..." Maybe we have been looking for victory in all the wrong places? Perhaps, we have been looking for victory in our own strength and in our own talents? In verse 3 of Psalm 3 it states, "But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high." Maybe we should just run to God and let him shield us from what we are going through. It is there in His presence that victory will be found. It is there that we shall overcome-by His might.

Those things I mentioned earlier (prayer, fasting, worship, etc...) are all avenues of connecting with our Lord. They are to be used and practiced regularly. However, they are worthless if our goal is to obtain something different than the presence of God. Victory comes from Him. Let us go to Him and in doing so obtain victory.

Don't sell me out!!!

Have you ever been sold out? It is certainly one of the worst feelings you can experience. I have been fortunate that my friends have never sold me out. However, there have been quite a few occasions when colleagues of some kind have sold me out. I can remember sitting at work and having my partner sell me out while trying to defend herself. It was unnecessary. When I confronted her about that situation she told me that she was highly competitive and saw that as an opportunity to knock me down a few notches. Competition amongst co-workers is to be expected. So I took that with a grain of salt and moved on.

There are times when you will be betrayed by those close to you-by those commissioned to protect you. Being sold out by a co-worker, competitor, or mere acquaintance is one thing. Being sold out by someone you trust is a completely different animal. I can remember being a member of a group where I held a leadership position. The advisor of that group actively sought to "sell me out." He knew my qualifications weren't where they needed to be and used that as a way to have me removed. He told me he did it with my best interest in mind...disgusting.

Can you imagine what Eve felt when Adam sold her out in the Garden? I'm sure she was crushed by Adam's finger pointing and blame. In an attempt to exonerate himself, Adam told God that it was the woman that had caused him to sin (Genesis 3:12). Adam was Eve's husband, trusted companion, protector, and friend. He denied all those titles and responsibilities when he turned a blind eye to Eve's conversation with the serpent and when he blamed her for his shortcomings.

The Bible does not elaborate on what took place between Adam and Eve relationally post-garden. I can imagine that Adam had some explaining to do. Adam would have had to overcome all the emotional pain, the betrayal, and the loss of trust between he and Eve....A crushing blow to their once perfect relationship.

Relationships are funny in this way. They take an incredible amount of time to build up and yet can be reduced to ruble in a matter of moments. Choices that are made in seconds can have consequences that last a lifetime. This is true in all relationships. Some relationships do not have the strength to withstand such blows. Others, though still standing, sustain irrevocable damages.

Don't be a blamer, a finger pointer, a "sell out," when times get tough. Take the responsibility that is yours whether good or bad. Deal with the consequences of your actions. Although painful, it will take you further in terms of respect and trust. As we look at the new year and the many resolutions that people make, lets make a resolution to be a committed friend, husband, co-worker, etc...

Naked and Unashamed

A new year is upon us and with that comes the task of reading through the one year Bible. As with the start of all things comes the beginning. Hence, we start off in the book of Genesis with Creation Story. It is in chapter 2 of Genesis that God brings Eve to Adam. No doubt this was a spectacular moment for Adam..."This one is bone of my bone, and flesh from my flesh!"

In Genesis 2:25 it states, "Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." What a statement. Both...naked....and unashamed. Many of us search our entire lives looking for a place where we can be naked ( in all senses of the word) and unashamed. We look for a place of safety, a place of commonality, a place of rest. We look for that place where we are known intimately in all of our strengths, weaknesses, faults, dreams, fears, hopes,potential, and shortcomings. This place is not found in a location, but in a person.

Adam and Eve found their place in each other. Adam had seen all of God's creation paired with a mate equal to themselves. He stood there as they were presented before him naming and observing them...."But still there was no helper just right for him." Adam noticed that something was missing from his life. He took notice that there was no one, no "helper" just right for him. He could not share with the animals of the earth, the birds of the sky, nor the fish of the sea. He needed someone-just right for him.

God took notice too. Certainly, if God chose he could have sustained Adam for all of his days in all ways. But God did not design man to function that way. He designed us with a need for relationship. We need people. We need each other. We need a place where we can be naked and unashamed.

There is a certain type of freedom that is experienced when you find yourself in a safe place with a person with whom you can bear your soul. Someone that knows your heart and your thoughts, and still loves and supports you. There is liberty when you know that a person has your best interest at heart despite the circumstances. There is peace when you know you are safe.

Finding this person in your life can be difficult. Many have given up and have resigned to a relationship with Jesus and Him alone. Many church leaders promote such relationships as they often preach about how many people you need to drop to "make it." We pretend that we are satisfied with our lonely existence (I don't care how spiritual you say you are without people in your life you will be lonely). Think about this. Adam walked in the Garden with the Lord. Yet, not only did Adam take notice of his need for a "helper" so did God.

First,let us start by being the type of person that is safe for others. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice and grieve with those that grieve. Let us be people of love and charity. Let us fight against the temptation to spread malice and be people of confidentiality by allowing those in need of confession to be set free without the weight of their sin being made public to all.

Second, let us remain sensitive to who God is bringing in our lives. The Bible says that God brought Eve to Adam. Be patient in your search for that safe person. Don't be too quick to bear your soul. Yet, be watchful and wait to see who God has paired you with.

Third and finally, stay busy at what God has called you to do. Adam was faithfully working at his assigned post when all this took place. Working did not distract Adam from noticing his desire and need for someone in his life. You too will still feel that void even if you are doing what God has called you to. However, you are more likely to find someone that is in line with what God has called you to when you are doing what God wants you to do.

Stay hopeful for that safe place in this new year. God has made us for relationship and intimacy. He made us to be in a place where we can be naked and feel no shame.