March 20, 2009 Andy Griffith Had it Right
This week I took my family fishing. We have only been fishing as a family a few times, but every time the kids are thrilled about it. There is just something about loading up the family, heading out to get dirty and smelly, and bringing home some fish to fry (or cook in a healthier manner, if you prefer).
Being nostalgic about pretty much eveything all the time, I can't help but think about the old Andy Griffith Show, and the picture of Andy walking home from the fishin' hole with Opie carrying a bunch of fish. It seems silly, perhaps, but I am glad to grasp on to such a rare occasion with my kids. There is just something about it. There is just something innocent about laughing with them when they catch that big ol' fish, or when they lose it and find their bait stolen. It is simple, and it does not involve the internet or the cell phone or the TiVo. Just hanging out next to the water waiting for some fish and enjoying each other and watching the sun move across the sky and over the horizon. There is just something about that. We talk about things they care about. We tell silly jokes. We tell silly stories. We have fun that we don't usually take time to have at home. I think I will take the family fishing more often.
October 6, 2008 Church, State, and God's Sovreign Plan, part 2
It has taken awhile to get back around to this, which oddly goes along with what the point was in the first place. So, let me summarize. The Jewish people have been given permission to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Years pass, they start building, and are soon stopped by the people around them. They are now told that they never had permission to build, and it takes a bit of time, and a bit of heartache before the original edict is found and work resumes. . . . .
The fact is that many times we feel a strong call from God to do a work that makes sense in the Kingdom. A work that fits our gifts and it fits our calling. Just as it made sense that God's people would be authorized to build God's temple.
However, just as then, often the 'perfect' plan gets 'blocked' by circumstances. We then are left with a task that needs done, but is left dormant due to circumstances we cannot control. We are often frustrated and confused as the world seems to win another battle, and God's work goes undone. These are the times we must trust in God's sovereign timing, trust that he is well aware of the situation, and trust that He is faithful to complete His will in us, even when everything seems to be going in the total opposite direction. He is faithful, and He is good.
August 6, 2008 Church, State, and God's Sovreign Plan
This post is not about politics, will not endorse a party, and will not address our nation's energy policy. It goes much deeper than that. What I will address is the very interesting beginning of the book of Ezra. . . . .
The book starts by telling how God stirred the heart of a pagan King (Cyrus) to fulfill the propehetic word spoken by Jeremiah years before. The King did this by issuing an edict that the Jewish people, long in captivity in Babylon, should return to the land of Israel.
Not only this, but he decreed the reason for the return was because "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you�may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2-3)
How amazing that Cyrus, a non-Jewish King who ruled over the greatest kingdom on earth at that time, would feel "appointed" to return the people to their land after being gone so long, for the sole purpose of building a temple to the Lord. And how very interesting that he acknowledges God as the one who has given him the power that he has. This is a clear violation of separation of church and state, is it not?
To Be Continued . . . .
January 26, 2008 O Holy Night
A video of my daughter singing O Holy Night with me playing guitar.
December 13, 2007 Christmas Resolution
An interesting development in the "War on Christmas" occured this week when the House passed the following bill. I have posted below the full text of the bill that says some things that just really needed to be said:
H. Res. 847
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
December 11, 2007.
Whereas Christmas, a holiday of great significance to Americans and many other cultures and nationalities, is celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and the world;
Whereas there are approximately 225,000,000 Christians in the United States, making Christianity the religion of over three-fourths of the American population;
Whereas there are approximately 2,000,000,000 Christians throughout the world, making Christianity the largest religion in the world and the religion of about one-third of the world population;
Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;
Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its Judeo-Christian roots;
Whereas on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ;
Whereas for Christians, Christmas is celebrated as a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and Grace; and
Whereas many Christians and non-Christians throughout the United States and the rest of the world, celebrate Christmas as a time to serve others: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world;
(2) expresses continued support for Christians in the United States and worldwide;
(3) acknowledges the international religious and historical importance of Christmas and the Christian faith;
(4) acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization;
(5) rejects bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide; and
(6) expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.
November 27, 2007 Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
I just finished watching this Christmas classic with my kids, and I am amazed that they love it as much as I do. They have been waiting to watch this all day. In fact, it has been the focal point of their day. I have answered the question "Is it time for Charlie Brown?" several times this afternoon. 
