Mile High Rev

REVrant 41.5 - Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS

Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS | csmonitor.com.

Anyone who attends FBC knows that I would never participate in something like this. I do not publicly endorse political candidates in my role as a pastor. Apparently, a group of 35 pastors across the country decided that during sermons this past Sunday, they would endorse a presidential candidate, by name, in direct defiance of the Federal laws regarding tax-exempt status and limits on making political endorsements.  Three words –

“Dumb and Dumber!”

First, pastors are not called to endorse political candidates, but to endorse “The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.”  Whatever the laws of our country may be, trying to get people to vote for one candidate over another doesn’t fit in any way into the pastor’s biblical calling.  Encouraging people to vote is one thing.  I guess you could probably correlate that with the biblical mandate to be “salt and light.”  But telling them for whom to vote is lame at best and ludicrous at worst.  I wish Christians (and particularly, pastors!) would get as fired-up over the Great Commission as they are about Election 2008.

Second, making the assumption that just because the pastor says it, people are going to do it, is incredibly naive and a touch arrogant.  If only it was that simple.  “Hey, Pastor ______ said it, and that’s good enough for me.”  Seriously.  That is just not the way it goes.  There are times I wish that was the case.  But, people have minds of their own. (And should have!) And as I’m fond of saying, “I’m not 100% right 100% of the time.”  Nobody is.

Third, it’s much wiser to address moral and ethical issues from the Bible and let people make the correlation.  I did something like this over the weekend.  I mentioned that if the government came into my church and demanded – by law - that I personally would have to marry men to men and women to women, I would resist.  My conscience would not allow me to do this.  Obviously, this is a biblically-derived position that is relevant in the 2008 campaign and makes it crystal clear where I stand on the issue of gay marriage.  It’s no big leap from there to the political sphere.  By the way, I believe I (as a pastor) am called to address relevant moral and ethical issues that surface in our cultural debate. That IS part of my job!

Fourth, the idea of pastoral civil disobedience on the issue of candidate endorsement seems childish and reckless to me.  I know it’s part of a strategy to force a change in the law.  But to do it this way, and to organize a class action among pastors to pull it off, is gratuitous grandstanding!  Fellow pastors, this is embarrassing.

At FBC, I will continue to endorse Jesus only and leave the political endorsements to others!

REVrant 41.4 - God, Government, and Bailouts

One of the reasons I love preaching through books of the Bible is because God has a way of scheduling exactly what we need when we need it.  This past weekend was the perfect example.  As you know, all last week the country obsessed over the possibility of a financial bail-out by the government.  The President made a speech commending what he thought the government should do.  Everyone speculated on what the government was going to do.  (After today, we’re still wondering!) The hot topic last week was “the government.” 

Back to preaching – I’ve been preaching sequentially through the book of Romans for over a year and a half.  The text this past weekend happened to be Romans 13:1–7:

1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

As you can see, the text is all about the “authorities” over us – the GOVERNMENT!  Paul presents a stunning paragraph on the nature of the relationship between God’s people and their human government.  Remember the CONTEXT – Paul was addressing a group of people under the rule of a repressive and anti-Christian Roman empire!  This text was nearly too good to be true for consideration after a week in which all kinds of things were being said about “the government.”

I don’t normally provide my sermon outline here, but I want to give you a snapshot of what I said. 

1. What Christians can expect from the government.  I mentioned two things here: 1) Human government was God’s idea.  I’m not talking about the donkey and the elephant!  God instituted government.  2) Human government is God’s servant: 1) To do you good, b) To punish the evil-doers.

2. What the government can expect from Christians.  I challenged my Christian audience to offer their government three things; 1) Submission, 2) Caution, and 3) Cooperation.

You can find a podcast of of the sermon at www.4fbc.org  My bottom line was – Christians are supposed to make their government glad. 

With all the failure of the bail-out attempt today, I’m sure there are many who are confused about government.  And many in government who are also confused.  It might be tempting to whine and gripe about the government today!  If Christians will unite in giving respect and honor to government, as “God’s servant,” perhaps we can create a new atmosphere in Washington!

REVrant 41.3 - Root Canal

I had such a productive week planned. 

My Plan A: Meetings, projects, contacts, calls, emails, preparing for a very busy upcoming weekend, and studying for the sermon on Romans 13:1–7.  However, on Tuesday, God permitted Plan B: a cracked tooth over lunch, severe discomfort overnight, dentist visit the next morning, the dreaded term – “root canal,” a lengthy procedure (illustrated above…the little blue-handled file in the third frame is filing out the nerve endings in the roots of the tooth), and a subsequent Ibuprofen induced fog! 

Thank God for a gentle dentist.  And thank God for reminding me that my Plan A is always subject to HIS “Plan A”…which feels like “Plan B,” but is actually not.

REVerie - Celebrating Jan's Birthday

In August of 1970, I saw a young lady standing in the choir loft of the Cascades Baptist Church, in Jackson Michigan.  I was smitten!  Who is that?  Where did she come from?  How can I meet her? (<—Especially since I was sitting with my current girlfriend!)  The Lord orchestrated an introduction that morning, and I didn’t stop pursuing her until she said, “Yes,” to my marriage proposal in February of 1973.

Obviously, I’m referring to my dear wife of 35 years – Janice Ann. 

TODAY – September 20 – is her birthday!   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN!

Birthday are very important to both of us.  I’m not preaching this weekend.  l made plans to “get away.”  It’s time to celebrate God’s best gift to me.  Nobody means more to me than my dear, prayerful, supportive, encouraging, beautiful, talented, warm, and happy wife!  I am blessed.

Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”

I found the BEST wife in the world! 

Thank you Lord, and thank you Jan.

 

REVrant 41.2 - Chapel Services at a Christian University

I had the honor of speaking at the Colorado Christian University Chapel two days this week. (Tues/Thurs)  I was invited by Scott Werner, a CCU VP who oversees chapel, and also attends FBC.  My text was Romans 12:1–2.  I had planned to speak on 12:1–2 on Tuesday and 12:3–8 on Thursday, but I didn’t finish vv. 1–2 the first day.  (Time is tight in chapel!)  I challenged the students to give God their bodies and their minds in my two-part series.

Candidly, I found the chapel audience a daunting challenge.  Chapel is mandatory.  It’s held in a field house.  The majority of the students sit on bleachers.  Acoustics are a nightmare.  The lighting was either shadowy (at the start) or fluorescent.  The clock ticks exceptionally fast, as lunch is immediately after chapel.  It’s not so easy for an old guy like me to establish rapport with a group of students who weren’t even born when I started my ministry at FBC. 

I admit it – I was nervous.  Today, on the drive over, after Jan read our daily devotional and prayed out loud for me, we listened to Gospel quartet music.  I told her I needed to get my heart prepared to face the challenge.  Then, of course, I had to drive by the “Spider Church” (Mile High Church –Religious Science) on the way in.  I’ve always felt a darkness from that place.  (On their current web site, they have a Buddha quote – “What we think, we become.”)  I needed the Lord to show up today, or I was sure I would be doomed!

The Lord was good and kind.  Today went very well.  I felt like I connected with the students, and the feedback was even more encouraging than on Tuesday.  Ironically, they were even testing new audio speakers today, and I was the guinea pig.  (Huge difference over the first day!) 

The whole experience stretched me in some good ways.  Here are a few musings as I reflect back on the experience:

1. We need to pray for Christian college students (both at CCU, and at all colleges and universities – religious or secular) – there is a bloody battle being waged for their bodies and their minds.

2. I sensed a resilient spirituality, particularly among the youngest students I met before and after speaking.  The worship portion of the chapel was energetic and engaging.  SIDEBAR – Music matters to these kids – BIG time! (At one point I inquired about how many students had IPods or any MP3 player – 99.9% raised their hand.  We cannot ignore this!)

3. Scott Werner and his wife Ruth could not have been kinder hosts to us.  They even prayed for Jan and me publicly before my first talk.  Scott in English, and his wife, in Spanish.  Powerful.  Scott mentioned that I was his pastor and encouraged the students to consider the value of connecting in a church (not solely FBC) while at school.

4. Daniel Sesay and several of our FBC musicians led worship on Tuesday.  Daniel is a CCU graduate.  I was honored to be able to serve with Daniel and the team and I loved the students getting to meet both of us.  Hopefully, their little taste of FBC was positive.

5. For some reason, I felt very burdened for the CCU students.  I still can’t shake it.  A couple asked about transportation to the church, since they don’t have cars.  A couple of freshmen asked for directions to the church.  A couple shared some stories of struggle.  But beyond the specifics, I have a sense of pastoral concern for this community of young men and women who are at a Christian university.  I know they are surrounded by faculty and staff who care for them and who are there to serve them.  That’s not my role.  However, seeing a whole room full of them and thinking about all the forces and pressures and temptations that are bombarding their bodies and minds, I pondered their vulnerability and the significance of the decisions they are making now that will affect their entire lives.  As I drove away this morning, I silently prayed, “Lord, help them.”   

Thanks for praying for me as I spoke this week.  If you think of it, pray for those students.  Pray that the Lord will guide them and deliver them from evil.  Pray for the protection of their bodies and their minds.  They are “precious in His sight.”

REVrant 41.1 - Ray Boltz "Comes Out" of the Closet - "God made me gay."

 Washington Blade: Gay and Lesbian News, Entertainment, Politics and Opinion. (Caution: this web site is clearly a gay advocacy site.)

A friend (Thanks AT) emailed me today with a link to another web site announcing the news that Ray Boltz has “come out of the closet” – announcing that he is gay.  I’ve done further investigation, and found the link above, which posts an interview with Boltz.  Clearly, it’s true.  Boltz says he’s gay.

Ray Boltz became famous in Christian circles for his songs – “Thank You,” “Watch The Lamb,” and “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.”  This is shocking news in the same vein as the Ted Haggard story (New Life Church Pastor and President of the NAE) and the Paul Barnes story (local mega-church pastor in Denver) in which two high profile pastors “came out” (actually, were “pushed out!”) as gay.

Sadly, Boltz is saying the same thing we’re hearing more and more from professing “Christian homosexuals” – “This is the way God made me.”  And predictably, he is expecting backlash from the Christian community.  As a side note, the Contemporary Christian Music Association says they do not comment on the “lifestyle choices of their artists.”  Boltz is apparently hooking up with The Metropolitan Community Church network - a loose association of churches which welcomes open homosexuals.

The timing of this is intriguing in that Jan and I watched some Gaither videos with her visiting parents last week and on both of the videos, Boltz sang, “Thank You” (…For Giving to the Lord!)  Who would have known?

I have some observations:

1) God does not make anyone homosexual. There is no scientific, psychological, or theological evidence to support this.  One may have early memories of homosexual urges (for reasons too extensive to pursue in this post), but to twist this into “God made me this way” is simplistic at best, and perverted at worst.  

2) God does not condone homosexuality.  Romans 1:26–27 makes this crystal clear.  God also does not condone envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, evil, greed, arrogance, or disobeying parents. (Romans 1:29–30)

3) My writing these things in #1 and #2 above does not automatically make me homo-phobic, hateful, judgmental, unkind, or un-Christian.  There is nothing wrong with having convictions and expressing them.  I disagree with Boltz.  I know many will disagree with what I wrote in the previous two items.  It seems that they are entitled to hold their views in the same way that I am. 

4) I’m glad the truth is out regarding Ray Boltz.  Lying about his situation (or at least covering it up) served no one but the devil.  Perhaps this is a time to call on other “closeted” homosexuals within the Christian community to candor and integrity.  If this is how you feel and if this is the way you choose to live, at least be honest about it.  Face the music!  I am 100% in disagreement with the lifestyle choice Boltz has made, but I am grateful for the end to his deception.  I suspect he feels relieved because the truth is out.  That’s what the truth does.

5) It’s possible to “love the sinner” and “hate the sin.”  (I do that with myself all the time.)  I hate the sin that seeps into my life.  (By the way, I’m sure someone reading this will accuse me of using an “empty old evangelical cliche” at the beginning of #5.)  The statements I’ve made are not meant to convey hatred towards Ray Boltz.  I’m simply stating my convictions about homosexuality.

Bottom line – This was very sad news and will further stir debate among Christians regarding the Biblical response to homosexuality.  As you’ve read, I don’t think there is anything to debate.

REVved - Speaking at CCU This Week

Colorado Christian University-About CCU.

I’m honored to be speaking at the CCU Chapel this week Tuesday and Thursday.  Scott Werner (Assistant VP, Ministry Programs) extended the invitation to address the university’s theme this year – “Upward Spiritual Journey.”  I’ll be speaking from Romans 12.  Scott attends FBC and told me that the emphasis of my sermon series in Romans would tie in well with CCU’s theme for 2008–2009.  

I’m looking forward to this opportunity to speak to college kids.  College chapel can be a mixed bag for Christian students.  (I’ve been there!)  I’m trusting God to break through and speak powerfully to these young hearts and minds.  If you think of it, I’d be grateful for your prayers tomorrow morning and Thursday morning (10:50 – 11:40 AM). I’ll let you know how it goes.

REVved - Super Sunday Ends With "Salt & Light"

For several weeks, I’ve been referring to September 14 as “Super Sunday” at FBC!  I knew it was going to be a big day, I just didn’t know how big.  I’m writing this a little before midnight on Sunday, basking in the afterglow of an amazing day.

The day started off with special recognition of our Elders & Deacons in our annual “installation” of officers.  It was such a delight to be able to thank some of our retiring leaders, and to welcome some new men to the team.  Doug Holden, our Elder chairman, led this recognition time, which culminated in the singing of the first verse of “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”

Some of you may recall that Jan’s parents were with us for the past 10 days, visiting from Michigan.  After the last service this morning, they left (with Jan’s youngest sister and her husband) for the airport.  It was sad to say good-bye, but the time with them was precious.

After saying good-bye, we ran over to McDonalds for a quick bite to eat, before heading back to the church for a baptism service. Today was the day set for our annual OUTDOOR baptisms at Chatfield Reservoir.  However, when I got up this morning and saw the weather, I couldn’t imagine doing anything that involved water outside today.  It was 45 degrees as we were driving to church.  It was also cloudy and overcast – not a day for the beach – OR outdoor baptisms.  So, we made the decision to hold the baptism service at the church instead.  Inside!  This involved major logistical challenges (like filling the baptistry at church), but we pulled it off and actually enjoyed one of the most intimate and moving baptism services I’ve experienced in a long time.  I think there were around 35 people baptized.  I love baptismal services - they are all about Jesus!

Next, it was a quick trip home to change clothes and catch our breath, before returning to the church for the culmination of the day – Our Salt & Light Project Celebration.

At our Men’s Retreat August 22–24, we challenged the guys to go out into the world to spread the “Salt and Light” of Jesus.  You can read the fuller story in a previous blog.  We divided the guys into 12 groups at the retreat.  We gave each group $400.  We asked them to find someone with a need – someone outside the church - and then, to give them a gift – of the money, of their time, or of any other resources they could gather in the time we gave them.  We also asked them to videotape the giving event, and then, to show it to the group tonight.

I wish you all could have been there.  The room was teeming with people 10 minutes before the event.  The energy was palpable.  Over 500 people showed up to join in the celebration.  After a powerful opening worship set, we turned it over to the groups.  One by one, the group leaders came to the front, gave a brief introduction of their team and video, and then we all watched the videos.  For two hours straight.

As Jan and I wiped away the tears after the first video, I knew we were in for an incredible evening.  The guys took our challenge to heart.  One by one, the groups touched our hearts, as they told the stories of how God led them to the person or people they were meant to help.  I won’t list them all here, but it was stunning to see the diversity of the needs met – an inner city ministry that helps kids, a single mom who had been on the streets as a drug addict and prostitute, several widows in a neighborhood in Lakewood, Children’s Hospital, a home for battered women, Ronald McDonald House, a veteran and his family…the list just went on and on. 

To any FBC “Salt & Light” guys reading this – I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you.  You definitely LIVED OUT your Christianity.  In very powerful ways.  I’ll never forget the way you responded to the challenge of our retreat. 

Several of the groups said the same thing at some point in their presentation.  “We want this to continue” and “we plan to do more together!”  This is exactly what I was hoping and praying for. 

Every Saturday and Sunday, I stand up at offering time and welcome our visitors.  I always hold up a welcome brochure and I point out what’s on the cover – “FBC…a Family…Upward, Inward, and Outward!”  It occurred to me tonight that we’ve done “Upward and Inward” pretty well at FBC through the years.  I certainly don’t mean to imply that we don’t do, or have never done anything, “Outward”….but tonight’s reports made it clear that we have a core group of men who are passionately committed to helping us live out that final aspirational theme of our church slogan – A Family…OUTWARD!  Well done, my brothers!

I’m exhausted tonight…but a very good exhausted.  “Super Sunday” met and exceeded all my expectations.

REView - "The Shack" by William P. Young - Challies.Com

I found this review of The Shack at a website I view from time-to-time.  The book is not only a bestseller, it’s become very controversial.  I’m asked about it nearly every week.  I think this review (it’s rather long) is the best I’ve seen.  Tim Challies is respectful to William P. Young, while being thorough in raising theological concerns about the book.  I disagree with Challies on his idea that “forgiveness requires repentance,” but beyond that, I believe the concerns he raises are legitimate.

"The Shack" by William P. Young - Challies Dot Com.

REVered - "9-11" - 7 Year Anniversary

None of us will ever forget this terrifying image.  9.11.2001  Commercial airplanes were used in the most brazen attack on American soil in the history of our country.  In addition, the Pentagon attack and the crash of Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field shook us to the core.  9–11 was a defining moment for us.  Our cherished hope of safety in the homeland was destroyed that day.  And ever since, we’ve lived with the fear of terrorist attacks. 

Thankfully, there has not been another attack.  Not that people haven’t tried.  But the nation developed a new sense of vigilance that met the challenge.  I think of it every time I go through airport security.  19 evil men changed the course of history for 300 million Americans…and the rest of the world.

As we pause on this day, let’s pray for the families of the 3,000 victims of the 9–11 tragedy.  Let’s also pray for those in authority over us.  Let’s pray that God will bless them, and that God will bless America!