Mile High Rev

REVelation - "It's Not in Vain"

Like many other days, I’m upstairs in my office at home, and Jan is down in our bedroom (right under the office in our two-story home), getting around for the day.  While she’s down there getting ready, she normally puts on a favorite musical CD.  Today, she chose the linked CD, originally released in May 23, 1995.  It’s Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s Praise Him…Live!  The track that was just playing is titled – “It’s Not In Vain.”  It was written by Andre Crouch in 1985.  You can actually listen to a 30 second sound clip here —> Praise Him...Live!

I just picked up my phone/intercom and paged her in the bedroom.  “Thanks, honey, I’m up here in tears listening to the song.”  She said, “Me too.”  “What album is that?”  “Praise Him…Live.”  She added, “I was just thinking that we need to get one for _____.” (Naming some dear friends in ministry who are going through difficult trials right now.)  I was thinking the same thing.  I love it when we are thinking the same thing at the same time, and it happens all the time.  (Thanks, honey, you’re the best!)

Back to the song.  “It’s not in vain.”  Meaning what?  Well, meaning that there are times while serving the Lord that it’s tempting to start to think that all of your work and sacrifice is a waste of time.  That no one appreciates you.  That you should have spent your life doing something else because you haven’t made a difference.  That all the time, energy, and effort has been wasted.  Believe me, it doesn’t feel very good.

The song tells it like it is.  “What you do for Jesus Christ is not in vain.  Do all you can for Him.  He will reward you in the end.  What you do for Jesus Christ is not in vain.  You’ll be rewarded.  You’ll wear a crown.  When our work on earth is done.  We’ll be rewarded.  He’ll call us by name.  What you do for Jesus Christ…is not in vain.”  And then in closing – “Don’t be discouraged.  Keep pressing on.  Because it’s not in vain.”

That’s exactly what I needed today.  I hope it helps you, too!

REVrant 6.23 - Foolish or Wise?

There, on the front page of the Denver Post on Sunday, September 25, was an article about a “biblical tour” of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  And several of the kids on the tour attend the church I pastor - Foothills Bible Church.  The church was referenced in the front page article. (Not this one—>) Biblical tour masquerades as science.

Interestingly, I was preaching this past weekend on a text from I Corinthians 1:18–2:5.  The short version is that what the world thinks is “wise” is actually “foolish,” and what the world thinks is “foolish” is actually “wise.”  I would never have imagined such a timely illustration.

Of course, the linked article - a companion article in the paper on Sunday – paints a goofy portrait of the guys conducting the tour (who I don’t know, by the way):

“Hitler was an evolutionist and so were the Columbine killers”

“Associating evolution with racism.”

“Bachelor’s degrees in education from Colorado Christian College ( University?)”

“Phd” for an evolutionist, “Piled Higher and Deeper.”

“Religion masquerading as science.”

“Biblical tour masquerades as science.”

Some observations and questions:

1. Neither inflammatory terms or name-calling enhance dialogue between people who have opposing views.

2. Omitting questions about the “origins of species” from science aptitude tests seems to be the easy way out.

3. Colorado kids “floundering as they compete for jobs” because they aren’t taught evolution?  Is that documentable?

4. What would be so damaging or difficult about teaching THEORIES of evolution and intelligent design side-by-side?  Let each student choose.

5. If I was choosing a part of anatomy to illustrate natural selection (which I’m not, but the columnist did!), the eye would be among my least popular choices.  The eye was “cobbled together by natural selection?”  So…out of the primordial ooze, the seminal micro-organism develops a profound desire to see?  And concludes that two eyes are better than one?  Seriously.  I think that eyes provide a much stronger argument for “intelligent design” than for natural selection.

6. Christians who believe in creationism should never expect those who don’t to consider their views “wise.”  But they should also avoid intentionally making themselves look like “fools.”  Linking the Columbine killers with evolution is definitely in the latter category.

7. I can’t leave this subject without a Bible quote.  In fact, the very first verse of the Bible.  Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  No matter how crazy that makes me look or sound, it’s what I believe.

REVered - "An Astute Mind and A Kind Heart"

This is one of those “historic days” in our lifetime.  John G. Roberts was sworn in today as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  The President’s description of Justice Roberts is compelling.  “An astute mind and a kind heart.”  That’s the type of person we need making decisions and leading the highest court in the land.  America is better today for the installation of a man with a “kind heart.”  “Kindness” is a high Biblical value.  Roberts Sworn In as Chief Justice

And I admit that I absolutely love the photo I found linked on CNN.com, of Justice Roberts kissing his wife after the swearing in ceremony.  Powerful image.  (Note what she’s holding in her left hand.)  Fantastic choice, Mr. President.  And, Godspeed, Chief Justice Roberts.

REVrant 6.24 - Please Don't Take The Money

Maybe you read about it?  FEMA is planning to “reimburse” churches who provided aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  FEMA Plans to Reimburse Faith Groups for Aid

To the churches who have assisted in the ravaged regions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, I plead with you, please don’t take the money.  The moment you do, I believe you will lose the blessing of free-will, grace giving.  The cheerfulness of giving out of a desire to glorify God will be compromised.  The words of Jesus, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive,” will ring hollow.  Such perceived dependency on the government will be counter-productive to your influence in the culture as “salt and light.”   Plus, the pure spiritual obedience epitomized in “giving a cup of water” in the name of Jesus will be perceptibly tarnished.  Don’t let the prospect of a governmental bail-out cloud your better judgment.  Take a stand, say “thanks, but, no thanks,” and glorify the Lord by continuing to trust Him to meet your needs.  Don’t miss this opportunity to make God look good and your faith look strong.

Sidebar for potential skeptics – The members of our church (in Littleton, Colorado) participated in an offering for a Louisiana church we didn’t even know in the aftermath of Katrina.  Through the generosity of God’s people, we were able to wire that church $68,000 a week or so later.  I’m positive that “governmental reimbursement” is the farthest thing from any of our minds.

REVerie - A Baby Aardvark

Intelligent design or natural selection? Cute or homely?  Got an opinion?  Aardvark Makes Public Debut at Neb. Zoo  (Incidentally, I like saying “aardvark.”) 

REVrant 6.22 - Angry People

“Everybody in America is angry about something.”  Anthony Braxton

I found this quote recently, and you won’t be surprised to hear that I revised it in my mind as soon as I read it – the pastor’s version —> “Everybody in the church is angry about something.”  At least that’s what it feels like on some days.  I know that the Bible says, “Be angry and sin not.”  You know, there is that “righteous indignation” Jesus had when he cleansed the Temple?  Sure, there are some things that ought to make us angry, and it is possible to “be angry and not sin.”  We ought to be angry AT sin…in our lives or wherever else we observe it.  We ought to be angry with the devil.  We ought to be angry when we yield to the same temptation over and over.

But…it is exhausting to spend a portion of every day dealing with, responding to, or hearing about…angry Christians.  Angry emails.  Angry phone calls.  Angry letters.  Angry meetings.  I compiled a mental list recently of all the things that seem to make church people  angry.  But it made me so angry, I forced myself to forget the list!

I do have a list, however.  Of Bible verses about “anger.”

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under  control.

Proverbs 22:24 – Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered. 

I Corinthians 13:5 – Love is…not easily angered.

Proverbs 29:22 – An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

James 1:19 -20 – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

As you move through your day today and come across angry drivers, angry bosses, angry teachers, angry waiters, angry war protestors, angry news commentators, angry coaches, angry politicians, and angry Christians…don’t let their anger produce the same thing in you!

REVrant 6.21 - Some Day Soon, I'll Hear - "Bill, you were right!"

OK, I’m not making this stuff up.  It’s coming across the newswires.  Hand sanitizing and sterilization is mainstreaming.  Check out this link for some great new products.  Why didn’t I think of these? 

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WolfFiles/story?id=236498&page=1

REVved - Laura Bush to appear on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

As I wrote on Sunday - “I Cry On Sunday Nights.”  Apparently, The President and Mrs. Bush are fans of the same show – “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”  This is a match made in heaven – The First Lady and our favorite TV show!  Laura will appear on the show some time in November.  This will be “must see TV!”   Laura Bush to appear on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

REVved - Broncos 30 - Chiefs 10

I’m not turning this into a sports blog, but…that win last night felt very good.

REVrant 6.20 - Root Canal - The High Point of My Day

If you've never had a root canal, you don't know what you're missing...and I hope you never find out.  Unfortunately, the condition of my teeth has offered my dentist several opportunities to practice his root canal techniques through the years.  This afternoon was another of those opportunities.  Two hours in the chair, Novocaine injections, that delightful rubber dam, and bless the Lord - nitrous oxide.  (I don't think I could have made it without the nitrous.)  As I left the office with one side of my face feeling so numb, that I feared that I had once again been stricken with Bell's Palsy, I drove home longing to take some Advil and go to bed.  Which I did...until the MNF Broncos-Chiefs game.  (Way to go Broncos!)

Meanwhile, life (and in particular, "church life") continued to unfold around me.  I freely admit that Mondays (after the big marathon weekend of three services and various other duties) are usually days where I am not fit for public consumption.  My voice is usually sore.  My head is usually pounding.  My eyes have dark bags under them.  The lawn needs mowing.  The trash needs to be taken to the curb. And I generally feel like I just need Monday to recover from Saturday and Sunday.  God bless Jan, she always gently endures the day with me.  But today, we both kind of "hit bottom" at the same time.  I'll spare you the details.  Let's just say that recent waves of criticism, blaming, and fault-finding overwhelmed us both at the same time.  I kept asking the Lord, "What are you trying to tell me?"  Is this "divine direction," or "demonic oppression?"  Those are not easy questions to answer.

So while I was sitting in the dentist's chair, it hit me (and I admit I was under controlled sedation) - "I think this is the best part of my day!"  My tooth is getting fixed.  I am in the hands of my trusted dentist.  Nobody expects me to talk.  I'm not being blamed for causing the problem with the tooth.  I'll see progress once this is over.  Only two people know what happened in my mouth during that two-hour time period, and they are professionally committed to confidentiality.  And when I got home, Jan gave me all the TLC I'd ever need or want.

I never thought I would say this -> A root canal was the best part of my Monday.