SOMETHING THAT LASTS

      My first impression of James David Jordan's Something That Lasts was along the lines of, "What an odd title for a novel." When I got into it, my impression changed with the simple addition of a modifier for the word "novel." That modifier was "dark."
      Pastor Dave was pragmatic, a results-oriented kinda guy who gained his affirmation by his successes. Only one thing was wrong with his idyllic life: It was built on his ego, rather than the Solid Rock.
      My original impression of darkness proved accurate when he gave into the kind of temptation that could trip any man. To make matters worse, his moment of weakness was revealed to the world at the worst possible time--in the middle of a Sunday service. The shame and calamity blasted his carefully constructed foundation to bits, causing his family and his vocation to collapse around him like so many cards. After the darkness of that hard lesson, Pastor Dave found the light of truth, and spent the rest of his life learning how to build on Something That Lasts.

SQUAT, by Taylor Field

I copied a review of Squat, by Taylor field, for your reading pleasure.
      Have you ever been in a big city and noticed a homeless person? Did you cross the street to avoid him? Did you give him money thinking that he would probably go blow it on alcohol or drugs? Did you wonder if you should just take him out to dinner? Did you think about bringing him home to give him a shower, a warm meal, and a place to lay his head?
      Did you ever wonder how he lives? Where he eats? What he does during the day?
      Did you question why our government with all its projects hasn't helped out these people better? People with mental problems, health problems, alcohol problems, drug problems, or abusive problems? What about those who just need a helping hand to get them a job and a place to live?
      What about Christians? Why aren't we helping them more? Why are we ignoring the hunger pangs of the people in our back yard?
      Taylor Field has some answers to these questions in his novel, Squat, that came out September 1st.
      Squat brings you through 24 hours in the life of a homeless man named Squid. Taylor Field brings the reality of New York's inner city to light. He doesn't leave out the smells, squallar, and ugliness. He doesn't leave out the alcolhol, drugs, and self-abuse. He shows it like it is because he knows what it is like. Taylor Field has worked since 1986 in the inner city of New York, where he is pastor of East Seventh Baptist Church/Graffiti Community Ministries.
      The best thing about this book is that all author proceeds from Squat will go to Graffiti Community Ministries, Inc., a service arm of the East Seventh Street Baptist Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan where Field preaches.
      "We live in a squat. We don’t know squat. We don’t have squat. We don’t do squat. We don’t give a squat. People say we’re not worth squat."

If you want to know more, please visit The SQUAT Website!

To order Squat, click HERE.

Clean Dishes

      This verse is terribly easy for the reader to apply to anyone but the reader. In fact, Jesus was talking to all officious, moral technicians and sectarian purists. This is an indictment of external religion, human efforts at ritual holiness. Since the unregenerate world has always confused spirituality for formal religion, Jesus cut to the chase in this address to all self-appointed soul guards.
      "Cup and platter" primarily refer to religious equipment, but by extension, mean religious formality. This is not directed against the "cup and platter" themselves, but at religious emphasis on their appearance of orthodoxy, while ignoring their content. There is in fact nothing wrong with the practice of religious formality itself, as long as it does not conceal ungodly attitudes and practices.
      Of course the terms, "ungodly attitudes and practices," can be defined liberally enough that they mean nothing. To some, ungodliness is nothing less than the obviously sinful behavior of thieves, murderers and adulterers. To others it is anything less than perfect righteousness and holiness. Both standards ignore the inner motives and attitudes behind the behavior. But that's the problem with standards: their very existence demands policing. Yet, without standards, chaos reigns.
      The obvious solution to this conundrum is to yield enforcement of both personal and religious standards to the only Policeman who is qualified to patrol the invisible.

The Foundational Attitude of "YES"

      I awoke this morning saying "Yes" to God. As I prayed, the phrase, "The power of yes," occurred to me. I felt the truth in it, and yes, the power.
      When "Yes" embodies our foundational attitude toward life, even saying "no" when necessary can be a positive statement. In fact, saying "yes" to God often means saying "no" to our felt needs and desires. And though that sounds harsh, it can produce the most positive of outcomes.
      Think of how maintaining a foundational attitude of "yes" toward your children can impact their feeling of wellbeing. Recognizing a conscious "yes" in your love for them shapes the whole relationship into something warm, comforting, and especially, strong. Feeling loved builds around your children's character a bulwark against the enemy's attacks. And until they become mature enough to apply The Whole Armor of God to themselves, that defensive structure is all they have to fend off the peer pressure, intimidation, and cruel name calling other children will most certainly throw at them.
      Of course it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that consciously recognizing the foundational attitude of "yes" toward ourselves releases the immeasurable power of God's greatest gifts: Belief in God's love for us! Love and deference toward others! Self-control! Divine wisdom! Human creativity! Intellectual curiosity! And old-fashioned, horse sense!

SERVER APPLICATION UNAVAILABLE

      Praise our analog, non-computerized God. In His wisdom He has allowed us to build vast, electronic brains that sometimes make life easier. But mostly, they frustrate us.
      When I clicked on Our Daily Bread's link this morning, the "absolute zero" message in this post's title confronted me, instead of the warm, familiar, comforting front page I was expecting. Most every day I open that devotional before pursuing other business. And most every day it rewards me with a pithy, or even convicting, message reinforced by a scripture passage.
      But not today.
      Okay, I know this is much ado about nothing ... much. But it left me feeling adrift, though I have plenty to get done today. Isn't God wonderful for always being available, for never giving us "SERVER APPLICATION UNAVAILABLE" messages when we approach Him in prayer. The All Loving, All Knowing, All Powerful, Self-existent, Eternal God faithfully turns His attention my way when I need Him.
     Bank on it.

Suffering for Christ

      I had a peculiar reaction to this Our Daily Bread. Though the essay is about suffering for the cause of Christ, it seemed to mention as a positive thing that Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. That, after Nero's vicious persecution of the church.
      Superficially, the church's becoming popular and influential in secular government might seem the best thing for God's kingdom. But even a passing look at history suggests quite the opposite. Not long after Constantine, the church apostatized into Roman Catholicism, eventually becoming a far fiercer persecutor of Christians than Nero.
      More recently, we can observe the unholy union of liberal denominations in the National Council of Churches, and its World Council counterpart, as the most bitter opponents of Biblical Christianity since the Roman inquisition. And each successive anti-Christian movement becomes better at counterfeiting the real thing, effectively diluting authentic Christian influence in the world.
      The tragic truth is that most Christians don't realize the correlation between official or popular acceptance for Christianity, and its corruption into merely human institutions. Will we never learn the lesson that first Herod, then Nero, then Constantine taught us? That the best way to grow God's kingdom is to attempt to chop it up into little pieces. We must never rejoice in acceptance, but rather in persecution for the cause of Christ.

"Yes, yes"

      If I haven't mentioned it before, I work at Target--oh, hello Target web-crawler, glad you could join us.
      Reader, meet crawler. Crawler--oh, never mind. You're just a stupid little program that looks for any mention of Target online so your user can hastle anyone slandering the Company.
     Depending on the location, Target can be a fascinating place to work, or it can be irksome. I'm blessed, because where I live, most Target guests are level-headed, not holding their noses in the stratosphere out of fear that they might be forced to relate personally to a mere mortal. In fact, some highly interesting people pass through my checklane.
      A case-in-point was a couple who passed through my line last month. They appeared prosperous, well groomed and clothed, probably in their late '60s. I suspected nothing unusual until the gentleman took a handful of quarters out of his pocket to pay me ... after his wife had already paid by debit card. When she reminded him that she had paid, he seemed a bit confused, saying, "Yes, yes," but displaying a wry expression that made it appear he was joking. Even then he tried to give me some quarters, and his wife nearly had to drag him away from the register, telling him again that she had already paid. By then his "Yes, yes," conveyed a subtle, plaintive quality and it was obvious that he was confused.
      What struck me was the patient love and respect she showed, though he was being difficult. I don't know what kind of dementia he had, but his wife's love had overpowered the irritation or disgust she may have felt because of his decent from a forceful, independent man to what I saw. Her faithfulness touched me deeply.
      I have to ask myself if I am capable of loving that faithfully.

Allah or Jesus?

The following editorial was confirmed as having been written by Rick Mathes, Executive Director of Mission Gate Prison Ministry. Although Mathes confirmed it as fact, a few establishment-types deny its ever having happened. Why does that not surprise me? Allah or Jesus?
By: Rick Mathes       Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems.
      I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.
      After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:  "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
      There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!"
      I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
      The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
      I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven.
      The Imam was speechless.
      I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
      You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.
      I think everyone in the US and Canada should be required to read this, but with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized. Please pass this on to all your e-mail contacts.

      Whether or not this is an exact representation of the meeting in question, many Muslim sects indeed believe what Mathes alluded to. The truth will prevail. Infidels beware.

Don't Tear The Cloth!

      Tear your heart instead! That was Joel's message to God's people Israel in chapter two of his prophesy. He began by issuing a terrifying prediction of God's host rendering the earth lifeless ... unless His people Yet even now turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning, declares Jehovah.(Joel 2:12)
      Okay, nobody tears their robes and throws ashes into the air anymore. Today's church has more sedate rituals of repentance. We might respond to a convicting sermon by slipping down to the alter and shedding a couple of alligator tears, feeling better for having demonstrated our sincerity before the church. As liberating as that public act of humility feels, how long does the life-change last, if there was one at all?
      We moderns habitually guard our hearts from the pain, embarrassment and inconvenience of breaking--or tearing--as God commanded through Joel. Oh sure, we might occasionally become infatuated with someone and come away with a "broken heart," but that's not the kind of agonized tearing that leads to true repentance, as God constantly commands. Without it we will never turn away from the sin that renders us spiritually impotent, and condemns us to perdition.
      So, don't make a religious show of tearing the cloth you wear on your body, or performing any other ritual of repentance. Instead, tear away the armor you wear on your heart so God can rend your heart unto repentance.

The Other Love Chapter

      Chapter 8 is "the other love chapter" of 1 Corinthians, and though it is less descriptive of Godly love than parts of Chapter 13, it presents a specific, practical recommendation for showing it. What could be more difficult for a believer than giving up his "Christian liberties" out of deferential love for weaker brethren?
      We could easily say, "He's the weak one, that's his problem?" But the word says, And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (1 Corinthians 8:11-13)
      Strong's Greek Dictionary says the word rendered "to offend" in the AV is skandalizō, meaning to scandalize; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): - (make to) offend.
      So, to offend is a little weak for the actual effect of searing a weaker brother's conscience. If I love my brother as Jesus commanded, I will give up my very life to avoid causing him to stumble in his faith-walk. How does that compare with my actual attitude toward accommodating my brother's weakness?