Going to Your Happy Place

The Beatitudes are some of the most well-known verses of biblical Scripture. They are those that start out as “blessed are…” followed by a qualifying “why” statement. For example, Matthew 5:7 says, “blessed are the merciful, [why?] for they will be shown mercy.”

I love these verses because Jesus is teaching what dependence on the sovereignty and grace of God looks like. However, many people grossly misinterpret the meaning of the word “blessed” in these passages. How so? Keep reading.

In ancient Greek, that is koine Greek or common Greek (the language used by New Testament writers) the work for blessed does not necessarily mean that one will be showered by God with certain gifts/blessings. That is a Western reading of an ancient Greek text. When read this way, one is guilty of reading their own understanding into Scripture before understanding the original meaning of the text.

The Greek word μακάριος, pronounced mä-kä'-rē-os, is what is translated to the English word “blessed.” The ancients understood this word, in the context in which Jesus spoke, to mean “happy,” or more literally “in your happy place.” Yes, even the ancients sometimes had to go to their happy place. It also indicates a current state of being with the “why” statement indicating a future state of being or indicating a gift already received.

With this knowledge, let us revisit Matthew 5:7. The New International Version translates the verse thusly: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Using what we know of the word μακάριος let us see how the ancient listeners understood it:

The merciful are in their happy place, [why] because they know that in the future, likely on judgement day, they too will be shown mercy from the Merciful One.

Notice Matthew 5:3 indicates a gift already given as we see how the original audience understood the verse:

The poor in spirit[1] are in their happy place, [why?] because the kingdom of heaven already belongs to them.

We are not to expect some great earthly reward for humility, mercy, etc. but our eternal reward for being Christ-like is waiting for us in heaven above. The knowledge of a future eternity in the presence of the Almighty God puts Christians in their happy place. Keep this knowledge at the front of your mind as you go through your day and you will find you will remain in your happy place as well. Let me hear your thoughts.

Many blessings,

Josh

Heavenly Father help us to act and to love as Jesus loves us. Help us to be an example, the light of the world, the city on a hill for all to see and let that light always shine for the greater glory of your kingdom. Thank you, Father, that in our daily walk we can remain in our own happy place both spiritually and emotionally knowing you are guiding us on the path to Glory. We love you and thank you for the many blessings you give us and for μακάριος. It is in the precious and holy name of Jesus that we pray and give thanks today.

Amen

Liking these posts and ramblings is awesome, but sharing is love!

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[1] For a better understanding of what it means to be “poor in spirit” see this article, https://activechristianity.org/20-examples-of-what-it-means-to-be-poor-in-spirit

Offended By Hate

            “Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

A friend of mine posted that quote the other day and it gave me pause. We (American society as a whole) have become a rancid, defensive, uncaring bunch who sit behind a keyboard and downgrade our fellow man on social media (can you see the irony running down the screen?).

Social media, while it is a great tool for connecting has had the opposite effect. Let me explain. It has made everyone feel like their opinions, views, philosophies, etc. are the only ones that matter. So much so that should another person contradict with those views, the great connection becomes a disconnect via hateful banter and insults. Grown men and women resort to “I know you are but what am I?” tactics.

For example, I belong to several groups on social media. I see time and again, people who really do not know one another slinging insults and pure hate toward people they do not even know simply because they do not like their post. One says they had a bad experience with a business, or a service and fifty people are there to throw hateful comments into the ring. We are offended by the smallest of things anymore, but this type of behavior is accepted and commonplace in the social arena?  

Whatever happened to conversation? To friendly banter? To civilized discussions?

I am certain the above quote was made in reference to those who would contradict someone in an intelligent conversation, not someone who simply resorts to insults and backbiting as a means of degrading the person when real facts and educated opinions on the subject matter are lacking.

As a society, we need to grow up. Adults take the lead. Parents show your kids the way. The next generation is coming out of high school so socially backward they are likely to have a lot of trouble making it in the “real world” where they must interact with real people. If social media is the example they have set before them that tells them “this is how the real-world works,” then they are doomed.

“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently” - Nietzsche

Let’s converse. Let’s talk. Let’s bring back intelligent, informed conversation about the things that are wrong in the world. Differing opinions are what make the world go around. Instead of turning the firehose on them, embrace them. Remember the Golden Rule?

It is quite okay, and even expected, that people will contradict one another. As Emerson said, contradiction is not persecution. Resorting to insults is. Hate speech is.

Different viewpoints are healthy for society. If not for differences in world-views and philosophies society would stagnate. There would never have been a Renaissance. The age of enlightenment would have been quickly snuffed out. Political evolution and revolution would never get off the ground because everyone would be too busy defending their positions against simpletons who refuse to educate themselves or try to better their station.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" - Jesus Christ

I do not have all the answers. I would love to hear your opinions and viewpoints on the subject.

What is the answer? Is there a cure or is it simply a part of the human condition? Is anything not offensive anymore? Is it possible for people today to have a conversation without “hating on” one another?

Let me hear your thoughts. Like the blog and share it if you please.

Josh

By Invitation Only

     Have you ever seen these words?  Often times we walk up to a place and see the words posted on a sign hanging on the door. Unfortunately, that is how many people view church. They decide not to go because they were not invited. They feel like they will be stared at because they do not know anyone there. They wonder how the other congregants will receive an outsider. They are looking through the eyes of the world because no one has shown them grace through a simple invitation.

     This post will be a short one because the message is very simple. Many people are missing out on salvation because no one has taken the time to invite them to church. When was the last time you invited a friend, a neighbor, a coworker? Last month? Last year? Never?For those in the 'never' column, trust me, it doesn't hurt a bit. No one is going to bite you for inviting them to church. I know some of you are not comfortable with stepping out like that. But, let me ask you one question. Do you want to get to heaven and have an unsaved friend standing outside the Pearly Gates look to you and say, "Why didn't you tell me"?

   With Easter fast approaching, do not forget that there is someone waiting for the invitation. Out of the hundreds of people you contact each week, make it a point to reach out to a few of them. Let's replace "By Invitation Only" with "Come On In". Be Jesus to someone. Invite them along with you this Sunday.

Many Blessings.

Josh

Please feel free to comment and share.

Free Will in a Fallen World

As a seminary student, I get a lot of questions from a lot of different people regarding my faith. With all of the evil in the world and on the news, (political scandals, war, famine, school shootings, etc.) the most frequent question I get is, “Why does God allow all of this bad stuff to keep happening?” There has been a library full of books written on this very subject. However, I will address it here in a Reader’s Digest version (for all of you kids out there, that means this will be a short synopsis).

We live in a world where a gracious and loving God has bestowed upon us the greatest gift of all—free will. With that free will, people possess the freedom to do as they choose. They can choose to be responsible or irresponsible, take a shower or be dirty, paper or plastic, curly fries or potato cakes, eat the apple or run from the snake, good or evil.

"Choose this day whom you will serve. . .. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

That being said, it is important to remember that God created us to have communion with him, to have a relationship with him. But, in his providence he allowed man to make the choice of whether to believe or not, to have that relationship or not. While he loves each and every one of us and wants that relationship, he is not a dictator who forces himself on us. He gives each individual the right to choose their path. Unfortunately, some choose the path of evil.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" Isaiah 55:8

Those who choose evil are not limited by conscience or social/cultural boundaries. We are trying to understand the mindset of individuals who have no remorse, no moral compass, and no capacity for love in their heart. There is only anger, rage, and malice. Many suffer from depression and mental illness, which can be contributing factors in their behavior. When creation was broken by The Fall, all of creation was broken, all the way down to our DNA. Cain slew his brother Abel because evil crept into his heart and corrupted him. That same evil still resides in the hearts of men today.

Side bar—Please do not mistake this to mean that non-believers are mentally ill or incapable of love. I know many non-believers who try to do right by others and genuinely want to see others succeed. One man I know even started a non-profit for veterans.

The point is that, because God gives us free will and does not want a bunch of robot followers, there is room for the evil that caused The Fall to creep into society. The possibility of people making horrible choices at the expense of others is always going to be there.

Choose love. Choose the abundant life that Jesus promises. Remember that there is a being who is infinitely more attuned to the universe than we will ever be watching over everything that occurs on our tiny little rock. Pray for the hearts and souls of others. Be Jesus to everyone you come in contact with. That little act of kindness or that uplifting word to them may make all the difference in the world. Show the world why they should choose Him.

Many blessings, 

Joshua 

For further study:

The book of Job, chapters 38-41

Adam Hamilton's work, Why?:Making Sense of  God's Will

Rein in the Tongue

Rein in the Tongue

Many people in the Church struggle with words. That is not to say that they can not speak or that they have a problem forming a coherent sentence. The issue they have is very sinister and most of them probably do not even realize they have a problem.

The issue they have is the words they use. The things they say are contrary to what being a Christian is all about. They are not loving, but hurtful. They are not encouraging but damaging. Someone, with no malicious intent, will tell a small piece of gossip about someone. What they do not realize is that sort of thing grows like wildfire. One person hears it who can not wait to tell someone else, who tells three others, who tell their friends, and so on. Suddenly, a piece of gossip (usually based on rumor and conjecture) is running rampant through the community. Problem is, the rumor is not true. But the damage is done.

Others have an issue with cursing. While the Bible does not specifically spell out a single word that is sinful, cultural and societal deviations that are perceived as sin can, and do, ruin our witness. So, while dropping an F-bomb is not a biblical sin in and of itself, it leads directly to other sins.

First, it causes others to stumble in their faith. Jesus specifically warns against being the one who causes one of his little children to sin (Matt 18:5-6). The “little ones” Jesus refers to are not just literal children, but all who come with child-like faith. Since we are all God’s children, it can, by extension, mean unbelievers. Our language, like our deeds, reflects who we are as people. So, if someone believes certain language is dirty or inappropriate, that is how they will see the one who uses that language. They will not see a devoted follower of Christ, but a hypocritical sinner who puts on a show every Sunday.

Second, the Bible clearly warns that those who gossip are not following the way of Christ. Gossip is not loving, and we are commanded to love one another as Christ has loved us. The book of Proverbs 16:28 says that, “a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” How many relationships, families, and careers have been ruined due to gossip and hearsay? Even one is too many, and there are far too many.

Third, God expects better of us. We are to emulate Jesus in kindness, gentleness, and a humble heart. Our language, the words we use, how we use them, and the intent behind them are all apt to cause us to stumble. In the book of Mathew, Jesus says “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’” (15:11).

So, what do we do, just stop speaking all together? NO! But we need to listen to the words of James, brother of Jesus.

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

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

His religion is worthless! Did you read that? It is worthless because the man’s witness has been severely compromised if not completely obliterated. No one is going to listen to the office gossip king as he tries to tell them about Jesus. The lady who is dropping F-bombs is not going to have a good reception to a sudden God-bomb when she has a moment of righteous clarity.

Brothers and sisters, if you would be true Christians and you truly seek to advance His kingdom…shut up. Think before you speak. Ask yourself if what you are about to say is glorifying God or others, or is it damaging to God or others. Think about this; Would you say it if Jesus were sitting across from you?

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Feel free to leave comments!

Uniquely His

     Christianity is but one in a great field of religious philosophies and ideologies that litter the landscape of humanity’s search for ‘something more.’  I once had a youth minister who described this search as an internal ‘god magnet’ that each and every one of us possesses.  That is, we are aware that there is ‘something’ bigger than ourselves that remains unseen.  Like a magnet, it draws us to itself.  For the Christian, this something is Yahweh, God.  But the fact that so many other religions claim that their particular set(s) of beliefs are correct calls the Christian claim into question.  What makes Christianity so special?  Why is the Christian right and everyone else is wrong?  What makes Christianity unique?

    

     In exploring this subject, the most compelling argument for the unique nature of Christianity is the nature of God, Himself.  He is the eternal, uncaused Creator who has made Himself known to humanity and desires a personal relationship with all people.  The mere fact that God is personal says that He is knowable.  This trait alone stands out against many religions.  For example, in Islam, adherents worship Allah who is linked to Yahweh in the historic sense.  However, theologically, Allah is unknowable and unreachable for the Muslim.  There is no personal relationship and many of Islam’s doctrines and beliefs are contradictory to the characteristics of the Christian God. 

     Buddhism is much the same in that there is either no god at all or there exists an “impersonal ‘Buddha essence’” to which followers are to attempt to attain ¹.  Although, in Mahayana Buddhism, many deities “came to be represented in art and revered in ways very similar to worship of Hindu gods,” none have the personal or knowable characteristics of the Christian God ².  Judaism, Christianity’s older brother, has even lost touch with the God of their ancestors.  For today’s Jew, being Jewish is less about religion and more about culture and tradition.  “The crucial question in Judaism is, What do you practice? or What are you doing with your life? not What do you believe?” ³.

     In writing to Timothy, Paul warned that religion would become tainted and men would follow evil spirits.  “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1, NIV).  Hinduism and the tribal religions declare the existence of a number of gods.  In the case of Hinduism, the number of gods in their pantheon is staggering.  “Beyond the principal deities of the Trimurti and the avatars, it is estimated that there are 330 million other gods in Hinduism” ¹.  In some Hindu circles, Brahman (the supreme god of the Hindus) is seen as a “personal, loving god who desires the salvation of all men.  More usually, however, he is described as a supreme, impersonal being completely above all creation and uninvolved with life on earth” ².  The tribal religions tend to have many deities as well, though their pantheon is not as encyclopedic as that of Hinduism.  Their religions typically include nature gods and spirits and are “marked by a proliferation of ritual and magic” ³.  “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans 1:25). 

     Chinese popular religions as well as Japanese religions have become an amalgam of many belief systems that have lost any philosophical or religious substance.  “The whole character of Chinese popular religion flows in the direction of a plethora of rituals and obligations without much discernable doctrinal underpinning” ³.  Likewise, “for many Japanese, religions do not offer a personal faith; they offer ceremonial services” ¹.  For the most part, these religions have become animistic folk-religions.  That is, while people search for that ‘something’ that pulls at them, they “become desperate, and…are tempted to grab for something that works” even if it is not the manner in which the particular religion is meant to function ¹.  They take the basic tenants of a religion or a philosophy and bend it to fit into their way of life.  They have been deceived into false beliefs that lead nowhere.  In another example of blending traditions, Sikhism synthesized Islam and Hinduism to form its belief system.

    

     Standing in stark contrast to the polytheistic religions described above is the exclusive nature of God.  The Christian God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present in our lives.  Because He truly is the Almighty, He does not require any other ‘gods’ to help in overseeing His creation.  Paul writes that He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 4:20b).  The power of God is unfathomable to the limited comprehension of the human mind.  The polytheistic religions have created their pantheon of gods with each having jurisdiction over a certain area of creation or having responsibility for a certain tribe, clan, or family.  

    

     Many will ask, What about Jesus and the Holy Spirit?  Is Christianity not polytheistic as well?  The answer is decidedly “NO.”  Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).  Further, the Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Christ twenty seven times according to the NIV ⁴.  It is understood that they Triune God is three persons of the same essence that make up a single Godhead.  Thus, when God says “Let us make man in our image” in Genesis 1:26, the ‘us’ is the Trinity, not a group of gods.

     This brings us to the next point; the place of humanity in creation.  The Hindus say humans are a part of the divine essence of the universe, a universal “Oneness” to which everyone will return.  The Buddhists claim people are a part of an impersonal aggregate to which they will return when they enter ‘Nirvana,’ “where the ego is extinguished” ¹.  Islam, like Christianity, claims that man was made by God but that there is nothing in us that is like Him.  Islam also denies that man is sinful by nature ¹.  Tribal religions tend to vary on their creation stories, but on the whole they tend to see man as a created being, possibly harkening back to a time when the religions were monotheistic in nature.  However, unlike the Christian God, the tribal creator god is “worshipped only in times of great distress” ³.  Christians believe God created them in His image (Genesis 1:26), loves them (Psalm 86:15), cares for their well-being (Philippians 4:19), provides for them (Matthew 6:31, 32), and desires a relationship with them (Romans 5:8).  He is worshipped and loved by Christians in all that they do (Colossians 3:17). 

     The sin problem manifests in other religions through fear of offending the spirits, the natural order, or some impersonal force.  That is, they are aware that they have a problem with sin, they just misunderstand how sin affects their relationship with a God they have lost touch with.  It is because of God’s love for humanity that He supplied a cure to man’s sin problem through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  None of the religions mentioned here make such a bold claim.  Instead, they rely on man to earn his own salvation through works.  However, to the Christian, Paul writes “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Ultimately this salvation ends with eternal life in Heaven, where we will be transformed and be like Christ’s “glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).  In all fairness, however, most religions promise an afterlife.  The end for Hindus is the merging of the self with the Oneness, the Buddhist seeks Nirvana, and others have some form of paradise that somewhat resembles the Christian idea of Heaven.

     Finally, there is Christ Himself.  Many call into question the uniqueness of Christ, namely His death and resurrection.  In ancient religious mythology, there are a number of gods who ‘died’ and were ‘resurrected’ in one manner or another.  For example, the ancient Egyptians claimed Osiris was killed by his brother Set, only to be magically brought back to life through a magic spell.  The very oldest depictions of Osiris show plants growing from his reassembled body, indicating it is a myth associated with agriculture.  Tammuz was a Sumerian god of vegetation.  He came to be worshipped through a life, death, and rebirth ritual that signified the changing of the seasons and the harvests. Others included Attis, Persephone, and Dionysus Zagreus.  According to Ring;

With the exception of the last, each of these was associated with a goddess—wife, sister, mother, or lover—whose emotions in the loss and recovery of her darling were a model for the emotions which the ritual of the cult aimed to arouse in the devotees ⁵.

Each of these were also myths associated with the harvest and/or seasons. 

     The Jesus story is sublimely unique for a number of reasons.  First, Jesus is not just the Son of God; He is the physical embodiment of God.  Second, Jesus is not killed by another god, nor is He killed against His will.  He freely offered Himself up as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity (John 10:17-18).  Third, there is an eschatological purpose to the death of Christ whereas the death and rising of these other ‘gods’ is simply a metaphorical myth.  Fourth, the death and resurrection of Christ are tied to actual historical places and events.  They are as verifiable, if not more so, as the life of Alexander the Great, while the personalities and adventures of Dionysus Zagreus and his compeers are the spawn of mythological fancy” ⁵.

    Christians serve a living God.  Jesus conquered death for the sins of the world.  Muhammed is lying in a grave.  Buddha is lying in a grave.  The Hindus worship and venerate statues.  The practitioners of tribal religions worship the creation as opposed to the creator.  Chinese and Japanese religion borders on secularism.  Christians are promised eternity thanks to a loving and knowable God who reached out to them in sacrificing His own son for our reconciliation and salvation.  Works can never be enough, but childlike faith wins the day.  The Christian faith alone has held onto its monotheistic roots and remains a religion of faith and obedience toward the one true God who loved us enough to save us from ourselves (John 3:16).

References

1. Halverson, D. C. (Ed.). (1996). The compact guide to world religions. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House.
2. Cory, S., & Burroughs, D. (Eds.). (2007). The spirit of truth and the spirit of error: Comparing Christianity with world religions. Chicago, IL: Moody.
3. Corduan, W. (2012). Neighboring faiths: A Christian introduction to world religions (2nd Ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
4. Blue Letter Bible Website. (n.d.). www.blueletterbible.org
5. Ring, G. C. (1944). Christ’s resurrection and the dying and rising gods. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 6(2), 216-229. Retrieved from http://catholicbiblical.org/publications/cbq

U.S. Judge Says "No" to Obama

After my tirade yesterday, finally some common sense comes from the judicial branch.  Obama has finally been put in his place regarding transgender bathroom rights, especially as it pertains to school aged kids. 

In a decision signed on Sunday, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled that the federal education law known as Title IX "is not ambiguous" about sex being defined as "the biological and anatomical differences between male and female students as determined at their birth"¹.

The fight began when a group of 13 states, led by Texas, sought to block what the Obama administration’s guidance concerning transgender students in public schools that allowed them to use whichever restroom they choose.  Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice pursued a dismissal of the injunction arguing that the guidance is not binding and comes with no legal ramifications.  However, the U.S. Department of Education has threatened to withhold federal funding from districts that refuse to accept the Obama Administration’s guidance on the matter.

In reading through Title IX, there is nothing to indicate that the writers of the law had anything other than biological sex in mind.  That is where federal protection begins and ends. 

Civil rights are designed to protect people from circumstances beyond their control.  For instance, one cannot help what race they were born into, their age, a handicap, etc.  In the same manner, one cannot help which sex God made them.  When we are forced to enact legislation because the decisions of a few made them feel their civil rights are being violated, anarchy is not far behind.  Legislating identity, feelings, persuasion, etc. is a dangerous road. 

Common sense and a sense of well-being for the entire nation, not just a few, should be the guideposts for legislation and “guidance” in this country.  Our moral compass has become so skewed that people actually think it is a good idea to let 15 year old boys into the girls locker room because they “identify” as female. 

In what bizzaro world is that healthy for the females who are subjected to these laws?  How do I tell my 14 year old daughter not to be embarrassed or feel like her rights to privacy are being violated when a boy shares the locker next to her?  

The rights of a few should never be allowed to trump the rights of the majority in cases like this.  The boys need to keep their parts in the boy’s room and the girls, vice-versa.  Why is this even a debate?

Please share if you agree

Sources:

1) Associated Press

Our Politics are in the Toilet

Our Politics are in the Toilet

Joshua Foltz

Religion and politics aside, it is time we use some common sense in what has become one of the most ridiculous arguments in the history of our country.  That is, the argument that someone can use a restroom based on the gender they identify with.  I can end the debate very quickly. In fact, it is very simple.  Next time you use the restroom or step into the shower, look down and see what kind of parts your underwear are covering.  The discussion should end there.  But it doesn’t.  Why?

It is because we live in a society where everyone has a feeling of entitlement.  Everyone is owed something.  Everyone wants something for free.  Everyone wants things to be their way.  When things don’t go their way, they cry bigotry, discrimination, racism, or hate. 

I have nothing against anyone in the LGBT community.  I am not a hate monger or a bigot in any way.  I have friends and family in the community that I love very much.  This post is just my opinion on one subject.  Feel free to disagree.  Comments are welcome.

There is a case before Judge Gilbert in Chicago right now where a young boy feels it necessary to use the females’ changing room at his school.  Why?  Because, he “identifies” as a female.  The case was brought by 51 families who filed the lawsuit in May insisting on an end to the district policy that allows a boy to use the female changing rooms if that boy “presents himself as a girl”. The school district enacted the policy in 2015 when the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) declared the district in violation of Title IX’s prohibition against discrimination based on sex¹.  To top it off, the DOE threatened the district, saying it would withhold up to $6 million of federal funding if the policy was not enforced. 

These are school aged kids, teenagers.  I have a teenage daughter.  At this time in the life of a teenage girl, they are at their most shy and are at a point when they are the most embarrassed and aware of their bodies.  They are going through changes both biologically and emotionally as they grow into womanhood.  To force one kid on a group in order to accommodate his “feelings” is beyond absurd, especially at that age. 

The plaintiffs in the case have argued, “Title IX regulations and 40-plus years of case law allow for “separate but equal” application when it comes to private changing facilities, sleeping accommodations, and athletic participation. Interpretation of the regulation has always recognized the distinction between male and female and the inherent need for privacy between the two sexes”¹.  

The defense has tried to argue that the “separate but equal” arguments harken back to the days of the Civil Rights Movement and racial segregation.  There is a marked difference between using the argument for sexual identity and race.  No matter what color a person is, they are a part of the human race and should be treated as such.  It is not a matter of how a person feels or how they want to be perceived.  It is a matter of birth.  So, to use that same logic for boys who want to use the girls’ restroom is not only indefensible, but it tramples on what the Civil Rights Movement was about.  One’s gender identity is in their pants, especially in the teenage years. 

“Similar battles are playing out around the country as the Department of Education has told public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.  Texas and a dozen other states asked a U.S. judge last week to block the Obama administration’s guidance in the matter, saying it usurps the authority of school districts”².  

After the smoke clears and the arguing is done, there is only one opinion I need.  I asked my teenage daughter how she felt about the possibility of boys being allowed to go into the girls’ locker room because they identify as a female.  Her response was, “that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.  I don’t want some boy in the locker room with me while I’m changing.”  From the mouths of babes. 

Please share if you agree.

Sources: 1) Bonnie Pritchett, Chicago judge considers meaning of male and female, world.wng.org, August 16, 2016

                  2) Fiona Ortiz, Illinois Next Battleground in LGBT Toilet Agenda ,CHICAGO (Reuters), August 15, 2016

                 

God's Got This

We live in a fast-paced, high output society.  Our lifestyles place a gaggle of demands on our time, energy and resources.  We dance a carefully choreographed routine that allows us to navigate the minefield that each day presents us with.  These demands can be troubling, stressful, and cause us much anxiety.  

These anxious feelings are further exacerbated when times of trouble strike.  When we are hit with unexpected expenses, higher demands in the workplace, or domestic stress, it tends to send our carefully balanced routines into a tailspin.  Oftentimes, those extra burdens require more strength than we have left to give once the day to day matters are taken care of. 

We ask ourselves where the extra money is going to come from.  How will I get all of this accomplished?  What can I do to make this right?  I have found through countless trials and troubles that only one answer is worth focusing on; God’s got this. 

I am by no means a prosperity heretic or one who thinks that God will simply take away all of your problems.  In fact, Jesus says that there will be problems in this life.

“"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). 

These words were delivered to the disciples just before Jesus was arrested in the garden.  Imagine that!  Jesus—who knew the torture, pain, and suffering that lay ahead for Him, who knew the agony that awaited Him as He would hang on a cross, bleeding out and suffocating under the weight of His own body—tells His disciples to “have peace” and “take heart” even though they will have troubles because He has “overcome the world.”  He did not say “I will overcome the world,” but “I have overcome.”  It was already done!  Even though the crucifixion and resurrection had yet to happen, Jesus boldly states that He has already accomplished the goal of overcoming the world.  He knew it was God’s will and that nothing could stop it.  Therefore, He could speak confidently of it.   

We can be confident in the knowledge that even when troubles hit hard, God hits even harder.  Instead of asking God why we are going through something, perhaps we really need to ask what it is that He is preparing us for.

Jesus tells us not to worry about the things of this world, but to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33a).  This is not a call to be irresponsible or aloof of the future, but a call to rely on God and be faithful that His providence and will are going to prevail in our lives. 

Paul writes, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:15).  In another letter he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).  Our anxieties are not the product of faith, but of fear.  We who believe on the name of the Lord are children of the one, true, almighty, living God who loves us and cares for our well-being. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

We live in a broken world that continues to revolt against God.  The fact that any good can come of suffering is, in itself, evidence of God’s love and patience.  He cares for you.  He cares for us all.  To those that will trust in Him and be faithful, He will do the same in return.  In all you do, glorify Him.  Trust in Him.  Have faith in Him.  Don’t worry.  God’s got this!

Five Reasons the Biblical Christmas Story is True

Detectives create lists. As a cold-case detective, I’m no different. When investigating an event in the distant past (in my case, an unsolved murder), I collect evidence, make lists and do my best to reach the most reasonable inference. When I began to investigate Christianity at the age of thirty-five, I approached the gospels the same way I approached my cold-case files. Lists were an important part of the process. One New Testament claim was particularly interesting to me: the conception and birth of Jesus. When I first read through the gospels, the birth narratives seemed incredible and unreasonable. I’m not the only person to express such a concern. In a recent article posted in the Herald Scotland, Reverend Andrew Frater called the Nativity story a “fanciful, fairy tale” and called on Christians to “disentangle the truth from the tinsel”. Frater is a minister and a believer, and even he doesn’t believe in the virgin conception of Jesus. As an atheist, I was even more skeptical. I rejected supernatural claims altogether, and the first Biblical claim about Jesus was a supernatural one. But as I collected the evidence and formed my lists, I found there were many good reasons to trust the story of Christmas. I’ve assembled them here with links to longer treatments of each topic:

Reason 1:
The Supernatural Nature of the Virgin Conception Shouldn’t Disqualify It
When I began to investigate the virgin conception, I was actually investigating my own philosophical naturalism. I was, in essence, asking the following questions: “Is the natural world all that exists?” “Is there anything beyond the physical, material world we measure with our five senses?” “Are supernatural events possible or even reasonable?” In asking these questions, I was putting naturalism to the test. It would have been unfair, therefore, to begin by presupposing nothing supernatural could ever exist or occur. If we want to be fair about assessing the virgin conception or any other supernatural aspect of the nativity story, we cannot exclude the very possibility of the supernatural in the first place. Our presupposition against the supernatural would unfairly taint our examination of the claim.

Reason 2:
The Claim of the Virgin Conception Appears Incredibly Early in Christian History
It’s always easier to tell a lie once everyone who was alive to know the difference has already died. But if you’re going to make a claim early in an area where people are still available to debunk your claim, be prepared to have a difficult time getting away with misrepresentations. The virgin conception of Jesus is one of the earliest claims in Christian history. The students of the gospel authors cited the virgin conception as a true claim about Jesus. Ignatius, the student of John (an Apostle who chose not to write about the birth of Jesus in his own gospel), included it in his early writings to local churches. Other Church leaders repeated the claim through the earliest years of the Church, and the doctrine also appears in the most ancient Church creeds. Even early non-canonical documents include the virgin conception of Jesus.

Reason 3:
The Birth Narratives in Luke and Matthew Are Not Late Additions
Critics, in an effort to argue the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew are not reliable, point to stylistic differences and “content shifting” within the gospels. Critics claim that the Greek language used in the birth narrative section of Luke’s gospel is far more Semitic than other sections. But the fact that this section of the gospel is stylistically or linguistically different than other sections does not mean it was a late addition. Luke told us he compiled the information for his gospel from a number of divergent sources (Luke 1:1-4). As a result, we should expect stylistic and linguistic differences within the gospel of Luke. In addition, any claim related to the late addition of the birth narratives defies all the manuscript evidence available to us; there is absolutely no evidence that the gospel of Matthew and Luke ever existed without the birth narratives. All manuscripts, translations, early Church documents and references to the gospels, along with every historic, reliable witness testifies to the fact that the birth narratives are ancient and part of the original record.

Reason 4:
The Virgin Conception Was Not An Invention of Early Christians
Some critics of the virgin conception argue that the earliest Christian authors inserted it in an effort to give Jesus a “heroic” birth consistent with other Old Testament heroes. But, not every Jewish hero from the Old Testament had an unusual birth story. Joshua, King David and King Solomon are just three of the more obvious examples of powerful Old Testament heroes whose birth stories were less than surprising or unusual. In addition, there is no other character from the Old Testament who was born of a virgin through the miraculous conception of the Holy Spirit. This characteristic of Jesus’ conception is unique to Jesus and follows no pre-existing Old Testament pattern.

Reason 5:
The Virgin Conception Wasn’t Borrowed from Another Source
Skeptics also attempt to discredit the virgin conception of Jesus by claiming it was borrowed from prior pagan mythologies such as those of Mithras or Horus. But any fair examination of pagan mythological birth narratives revels the dramatic differences between the virgin conception of Jesus and stories about the supernatural emergence of mythological gods. While “borrowing” may have occurred between belief systems, the weak resemblances between the Biblical account and pagan mythologies are far more likely the result of the Judeo-Christian influence rather than contamination from a pagan source. It’s irrational to believe the early Jewish readers of the gospels would embrace any part of paganism in the story of Jesus’ conception as continuous with the Jewish narrative from the Old Testament. In addition, early Christian converts were repeatedly called to a new life in Christ, told they were merely travelers passing through this mortal (and pagan) world, called to live a life that was free of worldly influences, and told to reject the foolish philosophies and stories of men. This group, in particular, would be the last to turn to pre-existing pagan stories and superstitions.

If there exists a supernatural Being capable of bringing all space, time and matter into existence from nothing, such a Being could certainly accomplish the virgin conception of Jesus, the Resurrection of Christ, or any of the other “lessor” miracles described on the pages of the New Testament. In addition, there is no historically, textually or philosophically necessary reason to reject the claims of the New Testament authors. If you’re a Christian this Christmas season, celebrate the birth of Jesus with confidence and certainty. The virgin conception is not a fanciful, fairy tale. It is a true story. In fact, there are five good reasons to trust the story of Christmas is factual, reliable and true.

Originally posted on coldcasechristianity.com

Homegrown Terrorism: Putting a Stop to Domestic Training Camps

Everyone has their opinions on what to do about terrorism.  Some are alarmists who want to ban guns or at least legislate them even further.  Others are bigots who want to blame all Muslims for the acts of a relative few.  Both of these approaches are constitutionally dangerous and will further limit the rights of Americans across the board. 

Terror attacks are causing many to jump to quick conclusions and make rash decisions that will, and do, affect the rights and freedoms that are enjoyed by all Americans.  If politicians can single out one group, what keeps them from singling out others?

Look at what our government did to Japanese-Americans during WWII.  They were put into internment camps because fear was allowed to rule.  These were law-abiding citizens whose only crime was their ancestry.  

Now, we are dealing with an ideology.  We are looking at a threat that is global in nature and is not so cut and dry as ancestry.  However, that does not mean that fear should be allowed to shape our reaction to the threat.  We do not need to resort to Nazi tactics or answer evil with evil. 

So, what do we do?

Start at home.  There are terror groups in this country, being trained on our soil, and the government knows exactly where they are.  The government knows the radical ideology behind these groups.  These are the ones that need to be targeted.  Here is where the network can be undone.  But, our government will not/cannot do anything about them because “they have not done anything yet.” 

Our own president refuses to acknowledge terrorism and call it what it is.  Nothing can be done until the groups that are perpetrating and facilitating these acts are called what they are and stopped in their tracks.  That means shutting down these domestic camps.  Strike them where they are and disband these fledgling cells before they become full-fledged terrorist cells that will carry out their jihadist mission on our soil. 

In the meantime, continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and one another.  God bless America. 

The Trap

Our society has fallen into a trap.  We are a civilization in decline.  You might ask how this can be.  After all, we are more educated, our technology is greater, people are living longer, our quality of life is better, and we are healthier than ever.  We have everything on-demand.  I can drive a mile up the road and purchase any and everything I could possibly want or need.  Or, I can order it online and never have to leave the house.  If there is something I need, “there’s an app for that.” 

I have 1000 channels on my T.V. to browse for hours if I need to kill time.  I have a PS2, 3 & 4.  My Xbox live account is stacked.  I have 24/7 access to my family and friends via Facebook, Twitter, Linkdin and a myriad of other social media sites.  I have 24/7 access to people I don’t really even know but who I call “friend” because social media says that’s what they are.

We have fallen into a trap.  We are more educated, but are we any smarter?  We have all of this technology, but are we using it as a benefit or as another distraction?  Is our quality of life truly that great when we spend 50% of our time staring at an electronic display?  Healthier?   There is a higher percentage of people classified as morbidly obese today than at any other time in history.  In 1900, the number of people who died of cancer was 64 out of 100,000.  In 2010 that number was 185.9 per 100,000.  Our food is poisoning our bodies while the media is poisoning our minds. 

We have fallen into a trap.  The disconnect created by “connecting” on social media has created a culture of empathy in word only.  That is, most people still possess enough empathy to say “that’s a shame,” or “things shouldn’t be that way.”  But social media allows us to compartmentalize the tragedy that surrounds us and affects our friends and neighbors.  We are insulated behind a keyboard so there is no need to engage someone who is going through a rough time.  After all, they may want you to stop by and see them.  They may actually ask you to help.  Their grief may make you uncomfortable.  Genuine empathy is hard to find.  Sympathy has become a hollow gesture.        

We have fallen into a trap.  We are raising a generation of entitled kids who believe that the world is going to fall into their lap at some point.  They have no respect for others, for hard work, for the law, for themselves, or for God.  The next generation is full of kids who have no idea what a day without a cell phone is like.  They have never been spanked.  They have never been told no.  The parents give in because it’s easier than dealing with the drama of discipline.  Being a parent is hard work.  Being a parent who disciplines is even harder. 

We have fallen into a trap.  Everything has become so easy that we have begun to think that everything is going to be easy!  Yes, you read that right.  Some things require effort.  Yes, we are educated, but what are we doing to put that education to good use?  We have better healthcare available, but are you doing your part to take care of yourself?  There are 1000 healthy things to do, but do you sit in front of a screen instead?  There are a lot of people that we call friend, but are you actively being a friend or just a spectator?  Are you raising your kids or are they being raised by Microsoft and MTV?  Do you pray with your kids?  Do they know how?  Do they know the meaning of respect?  Do you?

We have fallen into a trap.  What are you going to do about it?  The answer lies in getting right with one another and getting right with God.  This is a trap of biblical proportions and man will not dig himself out on his own.  You can do your part in your own part of the world.  But for a true, earth-shaking change to take place in our society, we need prayer.  We need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us enact the changes in ourselves that will help us to change the people and the world around us.  Humanism cannot do it.  Secularism cannot do it.  There is nothing for them to gain.  For the body of Christ, there are souls to take back from the evil one.  We have to stop allowing the evil one to distract us with technology, flashing lights, and remote controls. 

Take back the world.  Take control of your actions.  Be accountable.  Climb out of the trap.