Six Great Questions To Contemplate for the Beginning of 2015

After some reading, prayer and brain-storming I, humbly, present to you Six Year-End Questions I recommend we all spend a moment contemplating.

Oh come on. It will be fun. And I believe the time invested in this exercise will be worthwhile.

1.  How have you grown in your knowledge of God in 2014?

2.  What important truth did you stand for in 2014 even though it wasn’t easy?

3.  What activities/habits/practices from 2014 could be eliminated to allow you to be more effective in 2015?

4.  What lesson did you learn about loving people in 2014?

5.  What do you know you should be experiencing in 2015 even though it might stir up some fear?

6.  How will you ensure that you make quiet time for God in 2015?

Hope you have a Happy New Year! 

Love and blessings, 

Dan

Rachel Spending Her Money

Rachel has some money that she received for Christmas.  When Rachel has money it is not static or inanimate. It calls her, it woos her, it whispers, “Spend me, Rachel.”

It is very persuasive.

We were at the toy area of a Cracker Barrel restaurant tonight and Rachel was in her seeking mode. Her money was talking.  As I watched her, an idea struck me. 

“Perhaps this could be a learning moment,” I thought. So, I walked up and told her, “You know, Rachel, you don’t have to spend your money.  You can save it. If you save it, now, you can have it for other things—maybe even better things—later.”

She turned and looked at me and gave a very brief moment of thought to my statement. Then she laughed and proceeded to buy a toy.

A Night of Christmas Shopping Goes From Bad To Good

It's Monday night, December 22nd. Rachel and I are out shopping in the Orland/Tinley Pk area. There

are basically two shopping days left until Christmas Eve and we are in the area where lots and lots of stores are located.

You might be thinking, "That doesn't seem like a good idea, Dan."

If that is what you were thinking, you would be right. The traffic is terrible and it's taking three times longer to get around town than normal.

Yep, being out here tonight did not seem to be a good idea.

But then we stopped to get something to eat at a restaurant at which my nephew works. As we were finishing the meal, my nephew came over with a bag containing fresh bakery items.

Setting the bag on our table he said, "Here you go."

Chocolate chip cookies, toffee cookies and, Rachel's favorite, a chocolate chip muffin top. They were warm and fresh and gently calling our names. (Seriously, you can be a doubter if you want to but I'm pretty sure I heard the toffee cookies speaking to us. Oddly enough,they have a British accent.)

Hey, what do you know? Suddenly, being out here tonight isn't such a bad idea, after all.

Merry three-days-til Christmas, everyone!

Mitch "Harry" Jones, The Gecko, Has A Close Call

My niece Amanda has been driving over the past couple of days, with Michael and Helen, from Florida to Chicago. On Friday morning, Amanda, Michael and Helen pulled over at a rest stop in Illinois and when she opened the car door a gecko fell to the ground.

She did a double take upon noticing the little critter. “Huh!?!”

The poor guy was half frozen. He had been hiding in some space in the car door and had managed, somehow, to survive up to this point in time. They were astonished he had made it this far.

Geckos live in warm weather climates… (and prefer sandals to work boots). Amanda and her friends had already been on the road for hundreds of miles and many of those hours were in cold weather. How did he do it? Unfortunately, he wasn’t looking well and it was questionable whether he would even survive.

When he fell to the ground, Amanda said, "Oh my goodness!"

Initially, her traveling companions couldn’t see him and asked, "What is it?"

Amanda said, "It's a gecko!" And she picked him up.

"Is he alive?" they asked with some disbelief.

"Barely," said Amanda.

So she held him in her hands for a while allowing him to warm up. Then they got a box, poked holes in it and placed him in the box keeping him in the heated car.

They named him Mitch “Harry” Jones. I don’t remember exactly why but three names seems like a pretty sweet deal for a lizard, doesn’t it? Most reptiles are dying for even one name.

Mitch continued with them on the trip through Illinois all the way to our house, stopping a few times for McDonald’s drive-thru and an occasional decaf latte from Starbucks. (Geckos will usually try to avoid caffeine.)

When they arrived at our house, we found an old aquarium in the garage and Mitch is making himself at home. He appears to be doing alright. In fact, this morning they went out to buy him some crickets for lunch. (Jealous, aren’t you?) Just a few moments ago, Mitch looked up at me with thankful eyes and said, "I won’t lie to you, dude, that was a close call!"

I nodded my head sympathetically as I tossed him another cricket dipped in barbecue sauce. (We’re sharing.)

I’m not sure about this but I think there is a possibility Mitch might be part cat. If I’m right that would mean he now has 8 lives remaining.

Debating The Issues In Civil, Reasonable and Respectful Ways

A friend sent me a message recently about a matter over which there has been a long history of debate within Christianity.  At the end of his message—after writing some thoughts in which he considered both sides of the debate—he offered the opinion that Christians should learn to put aside differences and focus on the basics of the faith. It was a good thought.

I happen to believe there can be value in debating different points of view. I even enjoy this give and take of ideas from time to time. I find it to be fun. (Come to think of it, this may be why I am not known as the “life of the party” in most social circles.) But I have discovered sometimes people are so invested in their position on a matter that they have difficulty hearing the expression of other points of view.

Occasionally, what happens is these folks cannot engage in the debate without becoming unreasonably angry. It can even get to the point that the angry party launches a verbal attack on the person with whom they disagree.

FYI:  A theological discussion should almost never involve someone jumping up and down, rolling around on the ground, and throwing chairs or other pieces of furniture.

It is a mark of maturity when people learn to talk about matters over which they disagree in civil, reasonable and respectful ways.

E-Flash From Dan, 12/19/14

Dear E-Flash Friends;

 

The brilliant thinker and author C.S. Lewis referred to the Incarnation (God becoming man) as the “Grand Miracle.” According to a C.S. Lewis website he called it the Grand Miracle because he saw “every other miracle of Scripture as preparing for, demonstrating, or resulting from, the Incarnation.”

 

In other words the Incarnation had to happen first in order for every other miracle that Jesus performed here on earth—including the Resurrection—to occur.

 

We will be talking about this wonderful Grand Miracle at the services this Sunday, December 21^st, as we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus.

 

Lisa has planned our worship time for the Christmas services and in a memo she sent the team earlier this week she expressed her feelings this way: “I... CAN... NOT... WAIT! :) So looking forward to worshiping with you all!”

 

I agree completely. You won’t want to miss this one!

 

I really hope you can join us. Service times are 9am and 11am.

 

Love and blessings,

 

Dan

 

 

P.S. We also have a great service planned for Christmas Eve. Why not make plans to bust away from the pumpkin pie for a few minutes and join us for our beautiful candle-lit service this Wednesday, the 24^th, at 9pm? I truly believe your heart will be blessed.

 

 

P.P.S.  Click on the link to watch a very brief video invitation to the Christmas services.

Link…   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtsfmmezbS4

First Church of God

4600 W. 111th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

708-636-2620

The Press And The Politicians Getting A Little Too Cozy

Former NBC news anchor, Tom Brokaw, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Now, Mr. Brokaw seems like a very nice man and I am not opposed to him receiving accolades for his work. I, also, realize he is not the first person in the news media to receive this type of recognition. However, I’m not sure it’s a good idea for people in the press to be given highly prestigious honors by politicians.

You say, “Stop being a negative, whining, killjoy.”

I do not mean to be a negative, whining, killjoy. But the specific role of the press in our culture is to be a watch dog. The press is a critically important part of the process of keeping the citizens informed and making sure those in power know that their actions are being monitored and reported. The press is, almost by definition, supposed to have a somewhat adversarial relationship with those who wield political power.

If high-visibility people in the news business realize they might just be awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom someday if they behave themselves and don’t stir up trouble, that realization can have an influence—even if it’s a subtle influence—which may not be very healthy to the process. The possibility of receiving these kinds of awards has the potential of creating relationships between the watch dog and the ones who are supposed to be watched that is a little bit too cozy.

We Should Not Make It Hard For People To Turn To God

Occasionally, I run into religious people who believe their task is to create barriers that make it difficult for people to connect with God. They seem to think they are protecting God if they make it difficult for people to turn to Him.

I understand people may be concerned that God’s wonderful love and grace could be misunderstood as something cheap and insignificant.  That concern is valid.  God’s love and grace are not cheap, they are extraordinary, beautiful, lavish and of priceless value.

However, the truth is God does not want to make it difficult for people to find Him.  It is God’s own Word that calls the salvation He offers to us a “free gift.”  It is God’s own word that tells us if we seek Him we will find Him.

The Apostle James made a point of instructing some people not to make it difficult for others to turn to God by imposing lots of religious rules.  Here is the passage…

“And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”  Acts 15:19  (If you take a moment to read the entire 15^th chapter of Acts you can get a little more of the context for this comment.)

God greatly desires that people would find Him.  So, we need to present the Gospel honestly and not make it anything less than what it really is.  Likewise, however, we do not need to create any unnecessary barriers. 

A Long Strange Search For A Song

For the past two days the melody of an old song had been playing in my head.  It’s not even a song I particularly like that much but I could not stop hearing it.  I don’t know if this happens to everyone but it happens to me from time to time.

It became a problem for me because I could not remember the name of the song or the artist.  I was pretty sure it was from the 60s and I thought it was part of a movie soundtrack but I was not even positive about these aspects of the matter.  It is one of those instrumental songs that became “elevator music” and I remember hearing it many times—like when I listened to the Muzak in a doctor’s office.  But again, I did not know the song title or the artist.

(Some of the young people reading this will have no idea what “Muzak” is, and it’s probably better that way.)

Part of me thought, “Forget about this song.  Who cares what the title is?  Who cares who recorded it?”

But it kept playing on the little turntable in my head.

So, I began searching on YouTube putting in all kinds of desperate search criteria such as: “easy listening + 60s,” or “movie soundtracks + 60s,” or “instrumental hits + 60s,” and many others. I knew I would recognize the song if I heard it but I listed to dozens of old tunes and could not find it.

I thought, “Do I know someone who would recognize an old instrumental piece from the 60s if I did a bad job of humming it?”  I couldn’t think of anyone.  (Plus I thought, “This would definitely qualify as wasting a person’s time over an incredibly petty matter.”)

But the song continued to play in my head although now it was accompanied by some other old 60s instrumental tunes after all the searching on YouTube.  (There is a Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass song playing in my head as I type these words.)

Today, I went to an internet site called “Midomi.”  Midomi provides a tune recognition program that allows the user to hum a melody and then search for the song based on the tune that has been hummed.  I hummed the song several times and the search results came back with old Italian songs and, a few times, it identified a Lady Gaga song that apparently has some melodic similarity to the song for which I was searching.

My frustration continued.

Finally though, I held my guitar up to the microphone on my computer and played the melody of the song rather than humming it.  Sure enough, one of the search results came back with these words: “The Midnight Cowboy Theme.”

A big smile came to my face!  “I’m pretty sure that’s it,” I thought.

I typed that title into the search field on YouTube and the song began to play.  Yep, that was the song that has been pestering me for two days.  I found it!

Now that I found the song and listened to it, however, I have confirmed that, “It’s an okay song, but I am really not that thrilled about it.” 

It sure involved a lot of effort to figure that out, huh?

                             Click here to listen to the song!

Fighting Against Reality Is Futile

We send the message in a number of subtle and not-so-subtle ways in our culture that it is possible to live in immature and irresponsible ways and, yet, avoid negative consequences. This is not good, it is not compassionate (though it often pretends to be) and it is not helpful.

It does not matter if we dress up immature and irresponsible behavior in academic jargon or fancy-sounding cultural buzz-words because the behavior will ultimately bump up against reality.

This is a certainty which I encourage you to believe: Whenever a person tries to “pull-one-over” on reality the person, ultimately, pays a difficult price.

Likewise, whenever a culture tries to “pull-one-over” on reality the culture, ultimately, pays a difficult price.

“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”  Galatians 6:5

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”  Galatians 6:7

Do We Want The Truth Or Do We Want To Win The Argument...In Spite of The Truth?

Sometimes when people are debating an issue it becomes clear, at a certain point, that they are not interested in understanding the truth. Instead, they are interested in arguing for the position they currently hold—whether that position is correct, or not.  In fact, I have literally seen people admit that their position is logically false and yet insist they will continue to hold the position, anyhow. (I’m not kidding. I have experienced this, firsthand.)

Followers of Jesus should be more interested in understanding the truth than we are in winning the argument. This way of behaving may sound like I am being idealistic or, perhaps, even unrealistic however it is not unrealistic.  It is achievable, with God's help.

For those of us who are Christians, consider this: we claim to follow the One who says He is “the Truth.”  So, recognizing and embracing the truth should always matter to us more than winning the argument matters to us.

The Creepy Doll Is In My Office Looking At Me

Andrea came into my office last night as we were closing up the building and she had a doll wrapped in a blanket in her arms.

She said, “We’re going to be using this for the nativity scene at Yia Yia Palooza.  Do you mind if I keep it in your office until then?”

I said, “No, I don’t mind.”

Chuckling, Andrea set the doll in one of the chairs on the other side of my desk.

I did a double take and said, “Is that Rachel’s creepy doll I wrote about last year—the one that frightened several people on the plane?”

Now, she was laughing, “Yep, that’s it.”  And she adjusted the doll so that it was sitting up in the chair.

So, this creepy doll has been sitting in the chair across from my desk staring at me today.  Every now and then, out of the corner of my eye, I get the impression that it’s moving.  But I’m pretty sure it isn’t. 

If I wind up missing sometime over the next few days it will be reasonable to request that the police put out an all-points bulletin initiating a search for this doll.

Inner Peace In The Midst of Life's Storms

We often think of peace as a state of being that involves freedom from physical violence or discord. This is a correct understanding of peace. However, peace can also be understood to involve a state of being that has more to do with inner calmness, serenity and harmony.

Part of the nature of our world is that trouble and problems happen—in fact, they are a regular part of life. Every adult knows this is true from firsthand experience. So, if we are going to live with a consistent and reliable sense of peace it will have to be a type of inner peace that can be experienced even in the midst of life’s storms.

This inner peace is a gift. It is a gift that brings freedom from fear as well as renewal and hope to our hearts. It is the state which is being described in the book of Philippians chapter 4, vv. 6&7. The passage says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is an inner peace that defies our ability to completely understand, but it is real and it is available to those who will place their trust in the one we celebrate as the Prince of Peace during this time of year.

I pray for this peace for you and for me.

High Expectations Are A Sign of Respect

One of the most disrespectful and demeaning things we can do to people is expect very little from them.  Low expectations often communicate this to a person:  “I don’t think you are capable of much.”  Even if that is not what is said, that may be what is subtly communicated by low expectations.

On the other hand, high expectations may push us to a place of discomfort, however, it is an indication of respect when we communicate this type of message to a person:  “You can do better than this.”

I know this can be a sensitive and delicate move in a relationship—and I will admit, I’m not particularly good at doing this—but sometimes we need to lovingly push people by expecting something more, something higher, of them.

Much To Be Thankful For

Research has shown that gratitude and thankfulness are good for us emotionally and even physically.  They have an effect on things like energy levels and alertness.  It has been shown that gratitude and thankfulness affect a person’s willingness to help others.  And so, not surprisingly, it turns out that the old idea which encourages us to “count your blessings” really is good advice.

I am a person who is extraordinarily blessed.  In fact, sometimes when I really consider it honestly it’s surprising for me to recall all the good things that have been given to me.  God is good, kind and gracious. 

(By the way, this doesn’t mean I’ve come to the point at which I never complain anymore, it just means I really shouldn’t complain anymore.  But I do, once in a while.  I’m working on being more mature. I should be there any day, now.)

I can, however, say that I am genuinely thankful.  I pray you have much for which to be thankful today, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Loving As God Has Called Us To Love

I understand this is likely to seem foolish to some of the people who read it. However, I write this as a challenge to my online friends who are authentic followers of Jesus. I accept that some people will consider this post to be foolish and naïve. That’s alright.

The Evil One wants to see division, mistrust, fear, misunderstanding and hatred among people. He is particularly effective at using areas of life we typically point to as differences to stir up trouble. Of course, one of these areas happens to be racial classification.

If you are a follower of Jesus with even a moderate level of spiritual maturity you know that Jesus does not have a preferred race. He loves everyone. I do not intend for this to be understood as a meaningless little Sunday School cliché, I mean this literally and I believe it is extraordinarily significant: Jesus loves EVERYONE.  If you do not believe this then you do not understand Christianity. One of the most well-known Bible verses begins like this: “For God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his only Son…” John 3:16 (emphasis mine).  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation for “the world.” That means it is for every single person who has ever lived.

To my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, our challenge is to love people the way Jesus loves. 

Do not honor the divisions some people try to emphasize: Love people, all people, the way Jesus loves.

Do not give in to fear. Love people, all people, the way Jesus loves.

Do not allow misunderstandings to create a permanent breakdown in communication.  Love people, all people, the way Jesus loves.

Do not live with a perpetual mistrust of others. Love people, all people, the way Jesus loves.

Do not cultivate feelings of hatred toward others. Love people, all people, the way Jesus loves.

We are called to a life of love, even if we are not loved in return. If you are a Christian and you are thinking, “Why would I do this? Why would I love people with this kind of reckless abandon?” 

The answer is: We love like this because Jesus loved us when we had done nothing to merit His love. What I’m writing here may seem impossible, but it is not. The love of Jesus can overcome. It can shine like a bright light even in a dark world.

It is my desire to love everyone I encounter with the genuine love of God. I pray that is your desire, too.

“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:19-21

This Could Be An Adventure

We loaded all our luggage in the van for our overnight trip to Monroe, Wisconsin.  The trip on which we will be departing, shortly.  I know it doesn’t sound like it could possibly be much luggage since it’s just an overnight trip, but for my family even a brief trip involves a significant amount of gear (and occasionally some livestock).

After the luggage was loaded I took the van to the gas station to fill it up.  Then, as I was driving back home from the gas station, the fun began.  The van stalled. 

I tried to restart it.

Nope.

I tried again.

Nope.

I tried several more times.

You know that sinking feeling you get when car troubles are happening?  I had that feeling.

After sitting for a while and thinking about how unpleasant it is to walk in the rain, I tried again.  Fortunately, the van started and I made it home.

When I pulled in the driveway I looked at all the luggage that had been loaded in the van and realized that—in light of what had just happened—I was not about to take this van on a road trip to Wisconsin that involved driving at night.

So, we took all the luggage that had been loaded in the van and moved it into the car.

This already seems like it could be an interesting adventure, huh?

Heart Tests And Self Honesty

This morning I had a medical test.  I’m not having problems, this was simply a routine procedure which my doctor ordered because I haven’t had this particular test in a while and he felt it would be good to check it out.  The test is called an echocardiogram.  An echocardiogram involves ultra sound technology.  A medical website I looked at describes an echocardiogram as “a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart.”  It goes on and states, “For one out of five patients the echocardiogram procedure is terminal.”

My mouth dropped open and I did a double-take as I read that line!  “Terminal! What…!?!” Then I realized I was on a satire website.  (It’s important to read the fine print.)

The woman who did the procedure was nice and very professional. But she also joked around and did a good job of making sure I felt comfortable.  She asked for my birthdate and she also asked for my height and weight.  My response?  “Six foot 4 inches, 175 pounds.”

She laughed and put her own numbers in the log.  (They were not as flattering as mine.)

At the conclusion of the test I said, “I know you are not allowed to interpret the test results, however, did you see anything that looked unusual or not typical based on your experience administering this test?”  Because of our earlier conversation during the procedure I knew she had been doing this type of work for 25 years.

She said, “I am not allowed to say anything about the test results, either positive or negative.”  With a smile, though, she went on to say, “But I’m letting you walk out of here and go home.”

We both chuckled.

There is a different type heart test mentioned in the book of Psalms.  It says this, “Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…”  Psalm 26:2  This has to do with our spiritual health and our willingness to be honest with ourselves before God.

Tests have to do with self-honesty.  Self-honesty isn’t always easy.  But it’s always helpful.

NOTE:  If you would like to receive these “Daily Thought” posts to your e-mail, just send an e-mail to this address (cog111st@aol.com) and write: “Please send the Daily Thought” in the subject field.

How We Treat People And The Christian Faith

A significant aspect of the Christian faith has to do with how we treat people. Christianity is not just a system of beliefs. Sure, what we believe matters because our beliefs will determine our actions.  But the Christian faith is supposed to be real in our lives in such a way that it effects how we actually live.  And based on the teachings of scripture, the way we live will involve our behaviors and attitudes toward people.

So, how should we treat people?

We should make every effort to be fair and just.

We should be honest, speaking the truth with love, humility and respect.

We should be gracious and forgiving, remembering that we need forgiveness, too.

We should be kind and encouraging.

We should weep with those who weep.

We should rejoice with those who rejoice.

We should laugh with others regularly.

We should love our neighbors.

We should love our enemies.  (Don’t get mad at me, that’s what Jesus said.)

If this seems like a tall order, you’re right, it is.  We need the help and power of the Holy Spirit to live this way.  Fortunately, He will help us do this, if we are willing.

Let’s be willing.

A Mysterious Helper At The Store

I was talking with a young woman who works at Toys R Us, asking her a question about a tablet that is made specifically for kids.  The device is something that Rachel wanted to buy with some of her money.

Now, I realize a young worker at Toys R Us can’t possibly know the answer to questions about all the hi-tech devices in the store.  But I figured, there is no harm in asking.   

In response to my questions, she simply said, “I don’t know.”  Then we both looked at the box in which the device comes and tried to determine if the answers to my questions could be discerned from the info on the packaging.

A few seconds later, the store worker was called to another task.

(I didn’t hear anyone call her but, anyhow, that’s what she said.)

As I stood there trying to figure out what to do, a young mom with two little kids in her shopping cart came around the corner from another aisle.  “I don’t think you want that device,” she said.

“Oh, really?” I said.

She said, “I don’t mean to be nosey, but I heard you talking to the young woman.  We have one of those and it won’t do what you are looking for.”  And she repeated, “I’m not trying to butt in, I’m just saying that’s my experience.”

I said, “No need to apologize.  I’m glad for your help.  That’s what I needed to know.”

She said, “You’d be better off with another type of tablet.”  And she named a couple of alternatives.

I said, “Thanks, I don’t have any idea about these things.  So, I appreciate your help.”

She said, “You’re welcome.  I know what it’s like to spend money on something and then find out it’s not what you wanted.”

I pulled out my phone to call Nadia and tell her about these latest developments.  But before I called the number I turned to give the young mom one more word of thanks for her help.  But in that brief instant she was already gone.

I looked around in every direction and thought, “What?!?  Where did she go?”  It was like a little Christmas miracle.

P.S.  Alright, I saw the young mom again when I was getting in my car in the parking lot of the store.  So, she wasn’t a mysterious angel or anything like that.  But she was someone who offered a little kind help to me.

God Is For Us, He Is Not Against Us

Some people have come to believe that God is against them.  It’s as if they view God as a foe who is trying to prevent them from having fun and living a good, enjoyable life.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God is not against us, He is for us.  Consider what these passages of scripture reveal to us:

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Jeremiah 29:11

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’”

Hebrews 13:5

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”   -- Jesus

John 10:10

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” 

Romans 8:31

I understand that life can involve pain and difficulty.  We live in a fallen world.  Nevertheless, it is still true that life is a good and precious gift from a God who is not antagonistic toward us.  He loves and cares about us.  God is for you.

Faith Does Not Exclude Reason And Reason Does Not Exclude Faith

There are people who vigorously attempt to promote the idea that faith and reason are mutually exclusive or inherently at odds with each other.  This is not true. 

An act of faith does not have to exclude reason.  In fact, everyone exercises faith in the course of life--even people who have no religious belief or affiliation.  We simply cannot have a complete knowledge of everything and, therefore, we all must move through life exercising some measure of faith. 

For example, driving over a bridge is an act of faith.  Sure, it is a reasonable act of faith.  But in the history of the world, bridges have collapsed.  When you and I drive across a bridge we do not first obtain structural reports and conduct safety tests.  We just drive, believing the bridge was designed and constructed in a safe and responsible way.  That is an act of faith on our part.

Faith does not exclude reason and reason does not exclude faith.  They are both aspects of the full experience of life.

Pastor's Report 2014

A long time ago, I read an article on the subject of church growth and it said something incredibly simple that has always stuck with me. Why would something this simple and this obvious even need to be written in a publication for ministers?  I don’t know.  I guess it just proves that sometimes we miss what is obvious.

I cannot give an exact quote of the article—in fact, I cannot recall the source any longer—but it basically said words to this effect:  People come to church because they want to encounter God.

Hard to believe this would have to be written to ministers, huh?

People come to church because they want to encounter God.  That’s like finding this line in a trade journal for restaurants:  People who go to restaurants have some minor interest in eating food.

I get it, though.  I understand that this type of thing can happen because in church work it is possible to get so caught up in the details of running a church that we can lose sight of the basics. We can subtly, gradually start to think that the church is about sermons, board meetings, classes, musical performances, issues involving the physical facility, administrative issues, etc., rather than understanding that these are tools which God uses to facilitate the main thing. 

The main thing is an authentic encounter with Him.

I want you to know it is my desire to continue to authentically walk with God on a daily basis because that is the source of real life.  Also, it is my desire that our church will be a place where many, many people from different backgrounds and walks of life can encounter the living, risen Lord Jesus Christ, the source of salvation and source of true life!

With much love,

Dan

Thank You To Veterans For Duty, Bravery, Dignity And Valor

When I was young my dad did not talk about his service in World War II.  He was an infantry man and fought on the front lines. I’m quite certain some of the things that happened and some of what he saw was disturbing.  (The word “disturbing” is probably putting it mildly.) 

I recall hearing him say this on several occasions: “If I told people what happened there, they wouldn’t believe me.”

When I was older he told me a few stories.  I can only imagine.

I have a significant awareness of the fact that men and women—in some cases very young men and women—have had to do incredibly difficult things in order to provide for the freedoms we enjoy.

Thank you to all of our Veterans.  Thank you for considering duty, bravery, dignity, service to others and valor to be of worth and importance.  You have my utmost respect!

Apparently I'm Starting To Resemble A 100 Year Old Woman

A few minutes ago, as I was scrolling down my Facebook timeline, my daughter Rachel saw a picture that one of my friends posted of a lovely elderly woman who is celebrating her 100^th birthday. 

As the picture appeared on the screen Rachel said, “Is that you, dad?”

She was sitting several feet away from me and looking over my shoulder at the computer screen but still…  Really!?!  It was a one hundred year old woman!!!

“Is that YOU, dad?”

Lately I’ve been wondering if there’s a possibility I should get some “work” done.  I think we now have a definitive answer to that question.

A Fun Story Instigated By Christmas Ads

All the Christmas ads I’m seeing on TV have reminded me of a time when my I found some of the Christmas presents my mom had purchased and hidden in a closet. 

(I prefer to think of my finding the presents not being a result of relentless snooping but rather the kind of thing that happens when you have a child with a curious mind. But, come to think of it, that might just be my attempt to rationalize sneaky behavior.)

So, since I now knew the location of these presents, I became “sick” and needed to stay home from school in order to rest and be restored to full health.  While I was home from school, alone, I got my presents out from the hiding place and played with them.  Then I quickly put them back in the closet before anyone got home.

You know what’s interesting about all this? Alright, I’ll tell you. I think I had more fun playing with the presents when I did it in secret than after I actually got them for real on Christmas morning.

That must be one of those strange realities of human nature, huh?

P.S.  The Christmas I’m referring to in the story happened several years later than the time of this picture but this was the only old picture I could find in which I’m holding a Christmas gift from my childhood.

The Extraordinary Reality of God's Unfailing Love

It’s difficult for us to understand that God’s love for us is not conditional because our experience in life is that love always has some type of conditions attached.  So for example, no matter how much someone loves us we are capable of behaving in such a way that the person could possibly reach a point of exasperation and basically say, “I can’t take it anymore.  I’m done with you and your stuff!”

If a person can say “I’m done with you,” and exclude you from his/her life then the person’s love was conditional.  And by the way, I’m not being critical of this fact I’m suggesting we can all understand such a reality.

But this is why it is extraordinary to think that we cannot do something to make God reach a boiling point at which He says, “I can’t take it anymore.  I’m done with you and your stuff!”

God doesn’t love us when we finally get our act together in such a way that we deserve His love.  He loves us, first.  He loves us before we ever do the right thing.  He loves us even if we never do the right thing.

Please understand, it is obviously good for us to do the right thing.  God wants us to do the right thing.  This post is not an attempt to encourage people to do the wrong thing.  The point I’m trying to make has to do with God’s unconditional love.  His love is not based on whether we do the right thing.  This incredible truth is made known to us through verses like this one found in Romans 5:8…

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

No one will ever love you the way God loves you.  His love is complete, total, perfect and unfailing.  The more I understand this truth the more it makes me want to love Him back.

What To Do About Critics?

If we attempt to do anything of consequence we will be criticized.  This is a reality that I don’t particularly like, but it is a reality that anyone who takes constructive actions must accept.  If you are facing criticism for your actions remember this: 1) Most critics never do anything except sit back on the sidelines and criticize others.  So, consider the source of the criticism.  2) Everyone who ever accomplished something worthwhile was criticized.  So, you are in good company!

Right And Wrong And The Unpopularity of Christianity

Part of the reason the Christian faith is unpopular with some people is that one of the fundamental realities of the Christian faith is the idea that there are things which are true and there are things which are false.  This idea of truth and falsehood can be offensive in our culture because we would like to take the position that everyone’s ideas, beliefs and points-of-view are correct.  No one is wrong.  Everyone is right.

I understand the impulse to want to simply agree that everyone is right.  There is a sense in which it feels tolerant.  It feels gracious.  It feels non-judgmental.

The problem, however, is the idea that “everyone is right” is simply not true.  This is not an attempt to be mean-spirited.  It is an attempt to be honest in regard to reality.

In fact, think about the concept I’m trying to communicate here logically.  If you agree with this post, you agree that there is such a thing as true and false.  You agree with the position that everyone’s ideas, beliefs and points-of-view are not correct.  Some things truly are right.  Some things truly are wrong.

On the other hand, ironically enough, if you disagree with this post, you actually confirm the truth of it.  Because if you disagree with this post you are saying, “This post is wrong.”  In doing so you are drawing lines of right and wrong.  You are confirming my statement that some things are right and some things are wrong.

Crazy, huh?  Disagreement with this post confirms the truth of what is being stated in it.

Ideally, the Christian faith would not be rejected simply because its teachings tell us there are things which are right and things which are wrong and this is unpopular in our culture.  Deep down we all realize that right/wrong and true/false exist.

Here's A Strange Voting Pattern

While I was waiting to vote one of the election judges was talking with me.  He told me that in our polling place a surprising number of people did not vote for either of the gubernatorial candidates. 

I said, “You mean they actually chose to leave that part of the ballot blank?”

He said, “Yes.”

I said, “That sounds like it would be unusual.  I would expect the gubernatorial race to be one of the main contests for which people would want to vote.”

He said, “Yeah, me too. Pretty weird, huh?”

I said, “Do you have an explanation for this behavior?”

He said, “I don’t know for sure but I think it has to do with the fact that people really dislike both candidates.”

“They dislike both of them so much that they wouldn’t vote for either?” I asked.

He laughed, shook his head in affirmation and gave me a couple of extra ballots just for the fun of it.

So that’s today’s lesson in the pride and joy of Illinois politics.

(NOTE: Just kidding about the extra ballots. I only voted once. But the other part of this story regarding the gubernatorial non-voting is true.)

I'm Grateful For Those Who Fought To Bring Us Freedom

I do not like war. I desire peace. I sincerely wish everyone would get along and love each other. I’m serious. Many people feel this way, in fact, I think it’s possible that the majority of people in the world feel this way.

Unfortunately, there really are people in this world who have a desire for power and control over others which prevents peace, freedom and harmony. It’s a strange and sad reality that there are people who want to stir up friction, hatred and trouble. I know this is an unpopular idea, however, I’ll go ahead and write it anyhow: There are people who are evil.

So even though I, like most people, want peace I am tremendously thankful for the countless men and women who have gone before me—people like my father—along with those who currently serve to protect freedom and oppose tyranny. I am reminded again of the fact that there are people who have fought and died to make it possible for me to sit here today and comfortably write a post like this in which I am allowed to express my opinion. In order for us to have freedom, the fighting was necessary. I know this is sad and I wish it wasn’t true. But it is. In other words, the nature of our world is such that real freedom usually costs something.

It is right for us to be grateful for those who have done the fighting on our behalf. I admire their willingness to do something extraordinarily dangerous and difficult for the good of others. What they have done and what they continue to do is a big deal!

And by the way, if you disagree with what I’ve written—this has been known to happen, on occasion—please know I am thankful you have the freedom to do so.

P.S.  …But remember, people fought to give you the freedom to disagree.

Accepting Grace

Sometimes grace is available to a person but the person is not willing to accept grace because the person feels that he doesn’t need grace.  In order to receive grace, we have to be vulnerable and very honest—we have to admit that we have a need that we cannot fulfill.  If we can step out behind the masks of our lives, into the light of truth, we can receive the extraordinary gift of grace.

Are You Willing To Know God?

God does not reveal Himself in such a way that everyone is forced to acknowledge Him.  He actually leaves enough room for doubt to those who genuinely desire to avoid Him.  So, we can know God exists and we can know Him…if we are willing.

Part of the reason for God’s subtlety in this regard has to do with love.  God wants us to freely choose to love Him.  We all inherently understand that an important aspect of the value and authenticity of love has to do with choice.  A love that is forced is not real love.  None of us would treasure the love of a person who was forced to love us in the same way we would treasure the love of someone who chose to love us.

Therefore, a fair question to consider is this:  Are you honestly willing to know God?

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13