The church: an endangered species

Scientists are always harping on the idea of a species that is threatening to become extinct. They tell us that we must make certain environmental adjustments in order to protect a species from extinction. They warn if we don't, these valuable animals will die out. In the very same way a species faces extinction, the church faces a bleak future unless it makes certain crucial adjustments.

There is no question that the present church needs to undergo major renovations in order to become relevant in a society it endeavors to impact. People today are as spiritual as they have ever been. In fact, in the face of smothering financial pressure, higher unemployment, the disintegration of the family, and immorality at an all-time high, people are searching for real answers to the human dilemma. Many turn to the spiritual arena to find it. The point is that most people are not anti-Jesus, they are anti-church. Religious restrictions, stringent rituals, and stuffy services all combine to send negative signals to a needy world. I believe the church still has the answer to what the world needs. It just needs to learn how to package it a little better.

The oracles of Oprah

The internet is buzzing with all kinds of information ranging from new ideas to corporate challenges to free prizes. It offers anybody just about anything. There are millions of websites but perhaps one of the most talked about began when Oprah Winfrey decided to go from business entrepenuer to theological expert. Recently, Oprah began a charge to set people free from the idea that there is only one way people can get to heaven. Through slick campaigns, the use of the internet, and her idea of truth, she now has the world's largest "church" (on the internet) estimated at over 2.5 million followers. How did she do this? What is her message? Is this really a threat to the established church?
Simply put, her message promotes the idea that being a Christian is a matter of interpretation. The belief is that whatever you place your trust in is God to you and that is how you will be permitted into heaven. So, basically this theology teaches that you can create your own God and use him as a ticket to entering eternal bliss. This is not a new idea she came up with. In fact, this theology has been around a long time. It is called the "New Age" movement. To the New Ager or cosmic humanist, God is an impersonal idea that can take on many forms. The goal of a person's spirituality is to become one with this impersonal force or to reach a state of higher consciousness that lies somewhere in the cosmos.
I don't know how you feel or even if you have a comment on the subject, but I have an opinion on the matter. There's a major problem here. This religious idea leaves no room for a historical Jesus who was born to a woman named Mary, who lived in Nazareth, who died on a cross and who rose from the dead. If Oprah's theology is correct, then Jesus was a complete fool for giving his life for the only way to heaven - through the cross. His life means nothing, his teaching is false and his resurrection is a hoax. It is impossible to blend these 2 extreme ideas. Only one can be right. Oprah argues that everyone can be right because truth is relative to the individual. Her teaching is misleading, her logic is shaky, and her theology misguided. Having more than one truth breeds confusion and divides people into all kinds of camps. There must be some standard somewhere to measure all things to help us in perceiving life more accurately. Maybe that standard is called TRUTH! Think about it!

Bridge Out

What do the Akashi-kaiyo, the Storbaelt, and the Tsing Ma all have in common? They are all world most famous bridges. Have you ever thought about where our world would be without these architectual wonders? In layman's terms, bridges are large structures that span bodies of water or chasms connecting 2 separated land masses. During war, military strategists suggest eliminating bridges to keep opposing military forces from mobilizing troops. Bridges make possible what was previously impossible. These structures simply make life more convenient.
But what about generational bridges? Why is it so difficult for generations to understand one another? Why isn't there more of a concerted effort to dialogue about generational differences? Why don't "baby boomers" understand the "new millenials?" Why do retirees not understand teenagers? Well, again we haven't taken the time to do what structural crews are doing all over the world. We haven't built bridges.
On August 1, 2007 an unsuspected American tragedy took place during rush hour in Minneapolis. It happened on I 35 West bound. Somehow the bridge, that spanned the Mississippi River gave way and 8 lanes of traffic plunged into the river below. A number of people died and many more were injured due to a lack of support. The point? The bridge is still not rebuilt and the citizens of Minneapolis have to deal with the adverse results. Traffic jams, chaos, and road rage are now a part of daily travel in Minneapolis as a result of a missing bridge. What used to be easy and convenient has now become burdensome and irritating. That's what happens when bridges are nonexistent. So, the next time you see a person of another generation, build a bridge. Take the initiative to converse with someone beyond or before your generation to make an attempt to reach out. You may be surprised at the results. Think about it!

Investigating the Evidence

One of the hottest shows on television today centers itself around investigative activity. C.S.I. is one of America's most watched programs that draws millions of viewers each week. Why? Maybe it is the element of intrigue, mystery, or perhaps the joy of exploration. Regardless, people seem to be drawn by the challenge of figuring out what may have happened and what caused it to happen. In today's world, many are attempting to draw some kind of conclusion as to what may have happened in the beginning. We are at a disadvantage simply because we can only examine the evidence long after its initial existence. So then, the only thing we can use in making determinations is the evidence that has been left behind for us to examine. Well, let's look at some of that evidence.

First of all, there are some who have concluded that the universe is self-existent, therefore there is no room for a creator. Somehow a large gaseous mass appeared and then exploded into a well defined and ordered universe. Scientists have discovered that the universe is actually beginning to die. The evidence shows a shrinkage of space that is caused by "heat exhaustion." The second law of thermodynamics states that although the total energy in the universe remains constant, the amount of energy available to do useful things is always decreasing. Consequently, the useful energy in the universe is always decreasing forcing it to rely on something or someone else for its continued existence. Based upon this principle, the universe cannot be self-existent but needed a time where it came into existence, highly suggesting a creator.

Another piece of evidence that is being scrutinized is that of intelligent design. Science has examined a variety of living things and have concluded that each living organism has within it a specific design unique to itself. In humans, it is known as D.N.A. If the evidence shows design, then we can conclude that there must have been a designer.

Finally, cells are thought of as the molecular machines of life. Again science has proven that if any part of a cell is removed or "borrowed" it will cease to function. This is called irreducible complexity. Evolution, a theory at best, is dependent upon the borrowing of parts of cells for the procreation and advancement of higher forms of life. According to science, cells cannot function once this occurs.

Examine the evidence. Develop your conclusions. But base them all on the truth. Think about it.

The things we do for love

We live in a world that seems to be centered around "self." Self-helps, self-serve, and self-esteem are a few buzz words we use to describe life. But what about "self-love?" Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it. "Self-love." Are we to love ourselves? Is it right? Is it healthy? Is it permissible? It seems that people who love themselves are resisted, looked down upon and viewed as social outcasts. Pride is not a very attractive personal quality. But there is a healthy, balanced side to loving yourself. In actuality, learning how to love yourself promotes confidence, contentment, and emotional stability. Here's my take on the subject! I hope it helps.

We are called upon to love our neighbors. A neighbor is not just the guy living in the house next to ours, but is categorized in Scripture as anyone. So then, the command we are given is to love people. Sounds simple doesn't it? Wait a second. What about those who rub us the wrong way? Let's face it, there are people who are not easy to love. They seem to be angry at the world and simply exude a sense of misery. They never smile, they are cantankerous, and they just don't want to be bothered. We are supposed to love them as well. But that's not even the focal point of the command. How we are to love the "unlovable" is even more difficult? The qualification of loving others is that we love them as we love ourselves. In other words, if we are not loving them as we love ourselves, we disqualify ourselves. So then, self-love qualifies us to love others.

Self-love means that we are content with who we are and that we don't try to measure ourselves against others. Self-love is possessing a healthy respect for what God has made us to be. It is coming to grips with our lot in life and recognizing both our abilities and our limitations. Self-love is the bedrock for loving others. Self-love means that we can forgive ourselves for making mistakes, humble ourselves for making them, and learn from each of them. It also means that we can appropriately handle compliments without blowing them off or blowing them out of proportion. We cannot give what we do not have. Think about it!

God's Thorns

We are blessed to live in Ohio. The fall colors, the major cities, and the warm people are all part of Ohio's Midwest culture . But there is one other presence that makes Ohio great. It is the home of some of the best and fastest roller coasters in the world. Every time I watch one of them, (notice I watch because I'm too old to ride them), I find myself seeing an analogy of life. One day we struggle to climb the noisy hill and then when we reach the crest we are not prepared for the free fall that follows. Life seems to follow that same kind of pattern.

Recently, I was sitting with a group of men and we were discussing the fact that each person seems to struggle with something. In other words, we all have issues. Those issues can range from relationships, physical health, mental stability, financial pressure or family challenges. Scripture has a name for those kinds of personal issues. They are called "thorns in the flesh." Scholars for years have tried to pinpoint what a thorn in the flesh is, but none have succeeded. Some have suggested ideas that include your mother-in-law, blindness, sexual struggles, and discouragement. The fact of the matter is that no one knows what the author's "thorn" really was. The point is that we each have one.

Why do we have thorns and what do they accomplish? To answer that we need to examine where the thorn comes from and why it is present. The bible says that the thorn originates with God. Wait a minute! Am I suggesting that God permits struggle and adversity into our lives? Absolutely yes. If He is loving, how can he permit suffering? Well, that leads us to the second consideration, namely, the reason for the thorn. It's one thing for it to exist, it's quite another to understand why. Thorns are simply reminders that God uses to teach us to depend on him. He loves us so much that he desires for us to depend and trust in him. Thorns have a way of depleting us from our natural resources and brings us to a place of desperation. Most people don't like to live in a dependence on others, but God uses those times to build in us a trust in him and a recognition of our limitations. So the next time your thorn emerges, remember that God permitted it and that it is sent to drive you toward him. Think about it!

God's Day Off

Each year, school students who live in the northern part of the U.S. anticipate their favorite holiday of the year. What day am I referring to? Is it Christmas? Is it Easter? Is it President's Day? No. Why you ask? Here's the point. All of those are planned days off of school. They are strategically placed into each school year calendar and they are repeated each year. The holiday I'm talking about is the unexpected, unplanned, and surprise day off that almost every student prays for every time snowflakes fly. What day is it? What day can be better than Christmas, Easter, or President's Day? Well, if you haven't guessed it yet, it's called a "snow day." Schools are permitted to use 5 of them per year. Thank God for unexpected days off, once in a while, that break up the winter monotony. So, what does God do on a snow day? Does he ever get a day off or take a day away from the hustle and bustle of running the universe? The bible says he "never" sleeps or slumbers. He is on the job 24/7/365. Why doesn't he ever relax, take it easy, or chill out? Well, if he did who would make the sun rise or set? Who would watch over every human being? How would life be sustained? Who would keep spinning the earth on its axis and keep asteroids from colliding with the earth? Thank God he doesn't take a day off. He is forever faithful, ever present, and always in control. So, the next time it snows, think about God's faithfulness and enjoy it. Just remember who gave it to you!

What's behind trials?

Sometimes life seems to be filled with one heart ache after another. It just doesn’t seem fair nor does it seem to make any sense. Why would a loving God want us to go through the trials we encounter? Why would he want to allow the pain it brings? The answer to that question is simply found in the D.N.A. of trials. What are trials and what purpose do they serve? Trials are the hard evidence of God’s love for us. Trials build character into our lives. Trials grant us the ability to appreciate what we formerly took for granted. Trials reveal the stuff we are really made of. But perhaps more than anything, trials drive us closer to the one who permits them. God’s love for us is so intense that He is willing to do whatever he can to get us to love him. The Old Testament defines his love as "jealous." So if he is jealous, he is driven by an intensely passionate love for each of us. And if trials bring the desired results, he’ll do it. So in other words, God will resort to permitting trials to come to awaken a love within us for him. Trials give new life to prayer, new meaning to faith, and new gratitude for blessings. Trials somehow create a sense of desperation and desperation drives us usually to God. So then, can trials be proof of God's love for us? Think about it!

The freedom of forgiveness

One of the common threads that tie the human race together is that each of us, somewhere, sometime, have been offended by what someone said or by what someone did. And now we are left with emotions and memories that can haunt us the rest of our lives. Sounds pretty unfair, doesn't it? Well, no one said that life is fair. There are times when innocent people get hurt by the actions and words of others. So, the question isn't, "Is it fair?" The question now becomes, "What do we do with the feelings that are left to contend with?" What happened can never be erased, but there is something we all can do to escape the pain of that offense? It's called forgiveness. Forgiveness is simply making the decision not to hold anyone responsible for how the offense affected us. No matter how severe the offense, the offender needs to be released from the responsibility of the feelings that the offense caused. If there is no forgiveness there is no freedom for the offended or the offender. This decision is perhaps one of the most difficult of all the choices in life that must be made. But it is also the most freeing one as well. Remember, that the way you treat others (forgiving or not forgiving) is how you will be treated, as well. So the next time you are offended, be quick to forgive. You'll be glad you did!

Expecting the unexpected

Are you stuck in the rut of life's routine? Do you feel like you're on a treadmill, working hard but going nowhere? Each one of us have those moments when it seems like life has been reduced down to a daily grind. Each morning begins with hitting the snooze button again, then attending to personal hygiene, followed by selecting the day's wardrobe, then grabbing a quick bite, finally walking out the door to get to the usual destination. Wouldn't it be great if one day your routine were interrupted by something unusual? Something out of the ordinary? Something surprising? Well, that's just what your Creator desires to do with the routine. You see, daily ruts are human made. They were never God's idea. They weren't in the original manuscript for life. Somehow we have made life mundane, routine, and stagnant. So how do we get out of the rut without shirking daily responsibilities? It's simple. Ask GOD? He has a daily plan for your life that may involve something surprising. But the plan will not occur without a little inquiry. I don't claim to have it down pat. But I do know that when I ask for God to intervene, He always has something better for me to experience in any given day. So what's the secret to living routine-free? Ask the master designer what he has in store for you and then be ready to live rut-free.

Power outage

Today, northeast Ohio experienced the affects of high winds. They were blamed for a huge loss of power which resulted in overwhelming challenges. Adverse things occur where there is a loss of power. Traffic jams, loss of potential income, and a disruption of normalcy. The same is true about our personal lives. When we feel weak, bad things happen. Discouragement, confusion, fear, and worry are just a few affects from a loss of power. So then what is the problem? Is it really a loss of power or is it a disconnect? You see, the power plants were still producing energy, the resource was still in tact, but the consumer was unable to tap in. Why? There was a break somewhere between the power plant and the source needing power. Our lives are much the same. Power is readily available on a daily basis. The resource is inexhaustible. But there has been a disconnect somewhere. The bible states that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Where there is no joy there is no power. So when we find ourselves experiencing the affects of the high winds of life, we must stay connected to the inexhaustible power there is in God's joy. How do we do that? Simple. The answer is between your 2 ears. Joy is a perspective that begins with a decision. Think about it.

Get a Life

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why am I here? Do I have any purpose?" Every one of us, at one time or another, come to a place in life where we ask some deep questions about our existence. But are there any answers to that profound question? Call me an optimistic realist, I believe there are. I don't claim to have all the answers about that question, but I have discovered some answers during life's difficult times. I guess you could say I discovered them by default. If you really think about it, life makes no sense without the answer to that question. So is there a purpose for our existence and does my life really count? For those of you who are not sure, allow me to offer some thoughts. Do our lives carry any significance? Well, that question is better answered by the people around us. Every day your life impacts those you work with, go to school with and live with. Your life matters to the people who are connected to you. Where can I find a sense of meaning to my life? Allow me to illustrate this for a moment. Let's say a father buys his son a new bike. The bike of course comes unassembled. So, being a man he throws the instruction manual aside and goes to it. When he is finished, he realizes that there are extra parts. The bike is not completely assembled. So now what does he do? The lesson is this, "Maybe the bike manufacturer knows a little more about the bike than the well meaning dad does?" How does that apply? Maybe the way we find meaning in life is to go back to the manufacturer and ask for some help in the assembly process of our lives. The cool thing is, there's a manual for it too. So the next time that looming question arises in your mind, pull the manual out and ask the manufacturer to aid you in the process.

Promises, Promises

Every year most of us make all kinds of promises. We call them New Year's resolutions. We commit to stop smoking, go on a diet, spend more time with family and friends, etc. When it comes to God he makes promises as well. The promises of God found in the Bible are perhaps one of the most misunderstood dynamics related to our personal relationship with Him. So often we find ourselves questioning whether or not God will come through in the clutch. Allow me to point out a few things about God that should settle the issue for all of us. 1. God is crazy about you. Why would a loving, caring, personal Father not fulfill what he has promised he would do for his children? 2. God's ability is amazing. There is nothing in the existence or ability of God that hinders or limits his power to perform. 3. God's reputation is perfect. Concerning his promises to you and me, God would never allow himself to not do what he said he would do. Why? Because his reputation depends on it. So the next time there is a question about His promises concerning you think again!