Thinking Out Loud

Just throwing something out there that I have been contemplating for a very long time.

Let's put life in a vacuum (like we do in Physics). We get our pay checks and we pay all the bills, put some away in the 401K, give the kids their allowance, tithe, put some in the savings account and take the wife out to dinner and movie.

I am left with some discretionary income. Should this money be put into the church? I do not mean just the church you attend but charities and mission outreachs? But all of it, all that leftover money, should it go to the forwarding of the gospel? Not political campaigns, but legitmate instances?

As I said just thinking out loud.

It all starts tonight!!!

Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?!

My Alma Mater, the Central Michigan University Chippewas take on the Boston College Eagles up in Mt. Pleasant this evening (6pm) to kickoff the college football season. Which means this Saturday is all college football and more importantly, next Sunday is all NFL.

Yes, I like the NFL way more than NCAA. I just do, no reason why, I just do. I think it is the parity and the fun of gambling on the games. Yes, I gamble on the games by playing in office pools and Fantasy Football. Yes, I won the overall pot last year and Fantasy Football (over $500). Yes I gave most of it away to my church and the other Outreach ministries.

Anyway, tonight is perhaps the biggest game in CMU history. I know they beat MSU twice back in the early 90s, but tonight's game is on ESPN2 (NATIONAL AUDIENCE, first time ever for CMU in a regular season game where they were the home team) and it is the first time a big time school from one of the BCS conference has played in Mt. P in perhaps forever.

I am very happy that it is fall time, the mornings are cooler, and football is on TV.

Go Fire Up Chips

Good answer to a hard question

As I developed a more mature theology, I could not see the condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible apart from the general condemnations of all kinds of sexual immorality. Isolating texts against homosexual sin from the general teaching of the Bible in Hebrews 13:4 that said all sexual expressions outside of heterosexual marriage or celibacy were sinful seemed wrongheaded and wrong hearted. Paul's use of homosexuality in Romans 1 as "exhibit A" for human depravity just seemed to be using the most obvious case, not the worst sin in the catalog of human wretchedness. While gay Christian apologists were clueless about rightly interpreting the Bible, I never found their defense of their sin particularly more offensive than any other groups defense of their favorite vice, including building a gym for our kids rather than a church for the poor in India.

But my experience of Christian rhetoric against homosexuality features a consistent assumption that homosexuals choose to be the way they are, and while I agree that behavior is chosen, I do not agree that every element in the homosexual orientation is chosen, or that the orientation can be easily changed.

"Who condemns you?....Go and sin no more." says an enormous amount about how I believe Jesus addresses homosexuals today.

So we must hear it all. Who we are. Who made us this way. How sexuality reflects God and defines us. How far we all have fallen. No part of the Bible is less adaptable to culture and more universally descriptive than its teaching on sexuality. In scripture, holiness and happiness are not possible if we do not hear and live out passages such as...

• Genesis 1:27-28 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth...
• Ephesians 5:31-32 31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
• Hebrews 13:4 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

That these passages do not endorse homosexuality or homosexual marriage is beyond dispute. Gay advocates know they must resort to serious reinterpretation of the Bible to sustain any semblance of a Biblical case. What seems to be heard so seldom is how these passages call ALL OF US, no matter who we are, to an understanding of sex that is tied to our worship of God. It is the image of God, the mystery of Christ and the holiness of God that are at stake. Not my desires and preferences. Gay advocates apparently believe that gay sex can be sanctified to fit within this picture,
and to be a God-glorifying, God-honoring act. It is impossible. We must never hesitate to plainly, and sadly say this, even as we confess that we are guilty of the same betrayal of the intention of God.At the same time, it couldn't be clearer in scripture that all sexual sin violates this intention. Adultery. Lust. Immorality of any kind. There is no such thing as "heterosexual righteousness." We are idolaters if we insinuate anything of the kind.

At the same time, we need to realize that scripture does not picture the church opposing public immorality primarily through political means. In our system of elected government and constant campaigning, we tend to forget that the early Christians lived in a highly immoral society where they did not have access to the controls of power and public policy other than through conversion. The early Christians did not picket or protest. They witnessed, prayed, worshiped, and lived holy lives. Some of that witness influenced society, but in general, society went its Godless way. If there were to be a large-scale alteration of public morals, it would be through the power of the Holy Spirit, not by an imperial edict or judicial ruling.The question tends to become something like this: What would Jesus do? Would he, if he could have influenced laws and elections, have devoted significant energies to political means of improving public morals? My answer is simple. I think Jesus would have done what any person could do within his time and place to provide safety, security and morality. But I do not think Jesus would have taken on political causes, because they do not promote what changes
hearts and lives eternally or individually.

Throughout the New Testament, Christians exemplify radical kinds of love and service, but not as political activists. It is always in witness to Christ and his Kingdom. So there seems to be a difference in the way Jesus views the actions of a believer and the possibilities for a political utopia.

But homosexuals are no worse sinners than ourselves. Homosexuality has not outpaced heterosexuality in the depravity department. That homosexuals have developed political skills and know how to win the propaganda battle means we must respond, but we can't afford to become "haters" when our Savior so clearly sends us out to love these very people. The fact that they are on TV is a fact to be dealt with. It is not any more corrupting than a commercial for a credit card

You can read the whole 6,000 word article here

DO IT

NOW

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Ok, extremism aside...

I know this is excessive qouting from Michael Spencer's post, but these comments resonated with me so deeply. Part of it is that his explanation had a lot of me shaking my head in agreement and saying to myself, 'this is what I have been trying to say along!" As well, at this particular point in my life, dealing with some personal family issues, it is much needed and has already helped me in how I am going to deal with this issue going forward.

Read it, tell me what you think or just your reaction to the comments I posted here.

Guarantee, not since 93'

With today's win in Cleveland, the Tigers guaranteed a winning season with their 82nd win. This is huge for the Tigers. At the best, I would have said (as well as many others) before the season began (way back in March) that the Tigers would be fighting to get to 82 wins in the month of September, not in August. And that is if it even happen at all.

They are going to make the playoffs. What they do their though, is completely different.

Bless you boys!!!

Sometimes you just have to laugh

As I have written about before, my wife and I host a Bible study at our house on Wednesday nights (I have written about it here and here). Well, starting this Wednesday, I am the new "leader."

The leader we had has been sent out from our group (as a missionary if you will) to another life group to get it off its back and on its feet and on track. So I have been asked to take over the leadership role of the Life Group at my house.

WOW!!!!

I am brimming with excitement and nervousness. I really want to do this and have been praying about this exact opportunity for some time. I have filled in the past when needed, but that was just getting a call up from AAA for a one time spot start to rest the regular. Now this is the real deal.

Can I do this?

How good of a leader am I really?

So as I sat down tonight with my Starbucks to begin studying and preperation, I decided to go with some of the material that our pastoral staff offers the leaders to use as lesson plans for the discussions for the first couple of weeks to get things started and rolling along. I took out my note pad and my Bible, grabbed the Life Truths magazine and flipped through the first 5 or so pages.

The first lesson plan I came across was titled:

"What? Me a Leader."

No kidding. I started laughing, out loud. I could not believe it.

God, seriously, has a sense of humor. I picture him waving with his hand (or whatever he has) quite furiously for the angels to hurry up over here and watch Brian as he reads his first lesson plan. hurry come on...

here he goes......

and.....

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha


*did I just hear thunder outside?*



Oh by the way, the lesson plan will be on Joshua and go through the book of Joshua for the coming weeks.

*wow, that thunder is getting louder*

Fantasy Football - Oh Yeah!!!

Last night was our work group's fantasy football draft. We had 12 teams, went 16 rounds and had an absolute blast last night. Lots of smack talking and moans and groans surrounded by a ton of laughter and sloppy joes.

Being last year's champion, I have a reputation to keep and holding the last pick of the first round it is going to be an uphill climb. All the elite running backs, I knew, would be gone and so I decided to employ a "do the opposite" strategy. Meaning, insted of going running back, running back I would go for the top wide receivers and quarterbacks first and then use the middle rounds grabbing a slew of "sleeper" running backs. Eyeing up Peyton Manning and/or Steve Smith in the first round. However, they were both taken before my turn and so I missed out on them. Here is my roster (by draft order, 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round, etc.) and then my projected lineup were the season to start today.

1st - Marvin Harrison (wr)
2nd - Torry Holt (wr)
3rd - Brian Westbrook (rb)
4th - Jamal Lewis (rb)
5th - Joseph Addai (rb)
6th - Marc Bulger (qb)
7th - Laurence Maroney (rb)
8th - Reggie Brown (wr)
9th - Tatum Bell (rb)
10th - Lavereus Coles (wr)
11th - Jon Kitna (qb)
12th - Chris Perry (rb)
13th - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Defense
14th - Marcus Pollard (te)
15th - Tony Scheffler (te)
16th - Jason Elam (k)

As you can see, I went with 2 top tier wide receivers and then spent 5 of my next 7 and 6 of my next 10 all on running backs. My tight ends are very weak by getting Tampa and Elam in the last 4 rounds is an absolute steal.

So here is my starting lineup so far

QB - Bulger
WR - Harrison
WR - Holt
RB - Westbrook
RB - Lewis
Flex - Bell
TE - Pollard
K - Elam
Defense - Tampa Bay

I have a good team I believe, however I have some early injury concerns.

• Bulger has missed time to injury in each of the last 2 season, so he could miss time again
• Holt and Westbrook are probably out for the rest of the preseason and I hope this does not continue into the regular season. Westbrook has also been hurt each of the last 3 years and not finished a season
• Chris Perry may not play the first 6 weeks of the season, I did not know this last night when I drafted him. I found out this morning. GREAT

But, I am confident my team will perform well, I will defintely make a couple trades and see what happens.

My Perception

ON NOTICE

Vertigo

Life - baby on the way, family strife, broken bones, getting older in age, relatives passing away, family members refusing to attend another's wedding, house payments, car breaking down...

Work - project deadlines, people quiting, customer threats, 401(k) taking a hit, UP and DCX stock going down, not getting the promotion...

Church - Life Group controversy, dwindling membership, more work put on the precious few, Pastor's and Pastoral staff mental health condition, constant demonic attacks...

World - Terrorist plots, Israel, Hezbollah, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Abortion, Sudan, genocide, war, ethnic cleansing, famine, AIDS, racism, inflation, gas prices, global warming...

Should I keep going?

I know it is an old cliche' but what in the hell is this world coming to?

It is spinning (rather quickly) out of control, it is whack?

****************************************************************

"Brian, you are a Christian, how does God let all of this happen?"

"Not entirely sure, I do not know. But he does have a plan."

"Well what is it?!"

"Uh...um... well I, nor anyone else knows. His ways are not our ways and he works in mysterious ways."

"What kind of answer is that? Wht does that mean? So he is just some whimsical (g)od who does whatever he wants." I mean, if he is God over all, how does he allow all of this?"

"Well, he has allowed Satan to have control over the earth...."

"Satan has control?!" I thought God did?"

"God does, but he allows Satan to have dominion, for a season, over the world. But God is still in control, he has it all planned out."

"Are you really serious?" A season, what is that? Like summer or fall, or an NFL season, or what."

"Um..., well, um, uh... I do not know. But it is drawing near to an end."

"Riiiight.........."

*****************************************************************

Admittally, I have doubts, admittally, my faith isn't as strong as it should be. There is just so much...crap...going on out there right now, how do you keep it in order and balance? How do you explain it? How do you develop and maintain a conversation with someone when your only answer is, "God works in mysterious ways."

The one answer is absolutely FAITH.

But it is not that easy, at all. Human condition since the fall has been seperated from God. Comprehension of his omnipresence is difficult. Death, destruction, and debauchery abound. It is difficult to explain the characteristics and reign of God to non-Christians, and myself. How do you explain Faith? How do you explain something you do not see?

I believe it.

but...

can you believe something....

when you cannot even explain it?

I am persistent in my faith and talk about it any chance I have with anyone who wants me to. But I cannot escape my doubt. I know, within myself, that I am able to stay grounded and not freak out or over-react when life-situations seem so dark and bleak due to the faith I hold and have. But why?

Talks with most people always result in numerous biblical passages being fired at me that deal with God and faith.

But...
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"Peter nearly drowned."

"Well he lost faith."

"EXACTLY!"



"Well how about the Psalms? They are filled with cries of pain and anguish asking where God is."

"Well, look at all the praise and joy heaped upon God in the book."

"Yeah, but what about all the cries out to God."



"What about Jesus on the cross? He cried out in horror and terror asking why God had forsaken him."

"Well, he was fulfilling more prophecy about him."

"Which one."

"In Psalms, David wrote the same thing."

"So then we are back to the book of Psalms."



"What about the actual disciples who witnessed Jesus resurection and still doubted?"

"Where is that written?"

"Mathew 28: 16-17, all the interpretations have it. KJV to the ESV."

"Oh, well Jesus had not ascended yet, so they doubted."

"But they saw Jesus appear to them after he had already died, they saw the actual resurected Christ. They witnessed his life and miracles. What more could they have possibly needed?"

"Well, brother, they went on and set the world afire with the gospel, so something clicked."

"Hmmm......"

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This is all true, but we never read that they quit doubting. Maybe they never did. Maybe they maintained some form of doubt, but their belief never stopped either. All the way to the grave.

And this is the mystery. Doubt continues even as faith strengthens. Both are maintained in my conscious and subconscious being. I praise one and worry over the other. One drives me to live my life a certain way, the other causes me deep thought and sometimes a loss of sleep.

Why am I so sick and tired of hearing people tell me they are at peace with the idea of death and are not afraid of it?

Why does the word forever melt my brain?

Is this the "valley of the shadow of doubt" the psalmist spoke of?

Conspiracy Conjecture

"uh, oops, we misplaced the tape."


Do people actually make this stuff up or just throw these things out there to generate some talk and specualtion.

I know, the Republicans are doing this to sidetrack and take light off of Iraq, 9/11 and those conspiracies and put them onto one drummed up by the Democrats.

Gotcha

Makes a lot of sense

*wink*
*wink*

Red? Blue? Purple?

The more I rethink my values and priorities and what I find important in life, the more I question some of my political affliations in the past and currently.

Basically, I am convinced I vote primarily Republican due to their stance on some "life issues." Specifically abortion and stem cells. Also I am not a fan of big government. So much so that I really do not like the fact that we have seat belt and helmet laws. It should be someone's choice. You're an idiot to not wear a seat belt or a helmet, but it should not be a law.

But I digress, my point was the "life issues." This is really all that holds me to them, but it is enough to keep me, for now. The Republican party has really become the party of greed. More money, bigger business, cut taxes, run up deficits, drill for more oil, etc., etc.

I actually find it funny that the Democrats have started using the term "progressive." That is totally a Republican term. Bigger and better and new is more important that conserve. Yet, conserve is the root word of CONSERVative.

Hmmm........

My stance on abortion will never change (wrong, always wrong...come up with any "excuse" and I can show you multiple people and their mom who would not be here if their mom used that "excuse"), as will my stance on stem cells. And I have a conscience issue when I knowingly vote for someone who publically endorses a pro-choice stance.

But I am really bugged by the fact that Republicans are so damn greedy. More, more, more. Give me tax breaks so I can get more money. I'll donate a very specific amount of money to get the best tax write-off I can. Nevermind do it out of genuine genoristy and mercy to the down-trodden and poor.

I know I am blabbing here, but my mind has been racing through all of this and I really have a difficult time summing it up in a nice neat package with a bow on top of it.

All that being said,

I woul still for George W. Bush.