Today's Denver Post trumps the "growing success" of making Colorado's schools safer.
I don't know about you, but I would assume and expect that my kids school was always safe. I know that in today's corrosive cultural we cannot expect Mayberry RFD. But, varying degrees of safety does not reassure me when it comes to my kids welfare.
Our collective national "psyche" is a bit bruised right now with the Virginia Tech tragedy.
Perhaps there's some linkage to school violence and the "expulsion" of God from our public schools
To me, its a sad day when we have to have armed guards in our classrooms and hallways.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Who Lost the War?
I apologize for deveating from my normal line of thinking, but I could resist asking this question to fellow Coloradans (and Senator Harry Reid), who won the war?
If its true that we have lost the war in Iraq, then I like to know who they think won it? I also shudder what our world would have been like if these same defeatists were alive in 1942.
The war in Iraq has not been lost- yet. However, our "Vietnam" generation seems bound and determined to take us down that path again, where we win it on the ground but lose it between our ears.
If its true that we have lost the war in Iraq, then I like to know who they think won it? I also shudder what our world would have been like if these same defeatists were alive in 1942.
The war in Iraq has not been lost- yet. However, our "Vietnam" generation seems bound and determined to take us down that path again, where we win it on the ground but lose it between our ears.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Colorado's Black Eye on Abortion
In 1967, a freshmen state representative named Dick Lamm successfully passed a bill which made Colorado the first state to liberalize its abortion laws.
For forty years, our state has snuffed out a lot of lives. Most of these unborn children lost their lives because their mother's lives would have been inconvenienced.
Despite its restrictive nature, this measure opened the door to abortion on demand and sowed the seeds for Roe versus Wade in 1973.
Read and weep about the history of Colorado and abortion in this Rocky Mountain News article...
For forty years, our state has snuffed out a lot of lives. Most of these unborn children lost their lives because their mother's lives would have been inconvenienced.
Despite its restrictive nature, this measure opened the door to abortion on demand and sowed the seeds for Roe versus Wade in 1973.
Read and weep about the history of Colorado and abortion in this Rocky Mountain News article...
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Public Education-Your Choice Is Your Choice
Today's feature news article in the Rocky Mountain News fuels the ongoing debate over the efficacy of public schools, particularily the "crashing and burning" of the Denver Public School system.
"Denver Public Schools lost about 5500 Denver students to suburban schools last year. Nearly half the Denver kids ages 5 to 17 who go to suburban schools live in southwest Denver."
No mysteries with this fact.
Simply, many families have left poor DPS schools for better educational options. Southwest Denver, in effect, has educational competition, something that educational choice advocates have always wanted.
Grace Harris, the 6 year old in the article's first page, represents the choice which suburban families are making- they are leaving bad schools and going to quality schools. Their rationale- they want their kids to be in the best schools possible. Like any other "product" people want the best. In a perfect world, good schools would flourish while those who offer a poor educational product would go out of business.
The winners here are the kids and their families. School choice does work.
"Denver Public Schools lost about 5500 Denver students to suburban schools last year. Nearly half the Denver kids ages 5 to 17 who go to suburban schools live in southwest Denver."
No mysteries with this fact.
Simply, many families have left poor DPS schools for better educational options. Southwest Denver, in effect, has educational competition, something that educational choice advocates have always wanted.
Grace Harris, the 6 year old in the article's first page, represents the choice which suburban families are making- they are leaving bad schools and going to quality schools. Their rationale- they want their kids to be in the best schools possible. Like any other "product" people want the best. In a perfect world, good schools would flourish while those who offer a poor educational product would go out of business.
The winners here are the kids and their families. School choice does work.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Colorado Legislature Okays Adoption by Homosexual Couples
Colorado's Legislature okays adoption by homosexual couples.
Surprised? Don't be.
This headline sort of slipped under the radar screen last week. Buried by the avanlanche of "news" about the paternity story of a dead playboy's daughter and a story about the racist comments of a New York shock jock, this one went by unnoticed for the most part.
The impact of this misguided proposed law will be huge. In essence, if signed by Governor Ritter, Colorado's definition of what a family is will be changed.
What's startling about this new measure in "family correctiveness" is that Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected a similar scheme last November when asked to approve adoption right for domestic partners.
Now, folks are already shrugging their shoulders in apologetic motions. Some claim that the definition of a family needs to change with the times. And this definition would radically accomplish this purpose.
Surprised? Don't be.
This headline sort of slipped under the radar screen last week. Buried by the avanlanche of "news" about the paternity story of a dead playboy's daughter and a story about the racist comments of a New York shock jock, this one went by unnoticed for the most part.
The impact of this misguided proposed law will be huge. In essence, if signed by Governor Ritter, Colorado's definition of what a family is will be changed.
What's startling about this new measure in "family correctiveness" is that Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected a similar scheme last November when asked to approve adoption right for domestic partners.
Now, folks are already shrugging their shoulders in apologetic motions. Some claim that the definition of a family needs to change with the times. And this definition would radically accomplish this purpose.
Shock and Horror
Today's campus shooting at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia is sending a tremor through our nation's collective conscience.
When will we wake up and stop our cultural sewer? Last week it was the racist comments by shock jock Don Imus. This week a bloody college campus.
Friends, our nation is facing a moral crisis.
While we will deplore this heinous crime, a deeper look at our culture must be warranted. There will be those apologists who will say that there is no connection between these events. But, when life becomes cheap, the trickle down effect touches all parts of our society. Whether its racist demeaning comments intended as a "joke", or a brutal murderous college rampage, there is a connection.
To think otherwise is thoughtless.
What we put into our culture will come out in some form. Flip on the television or engage in most of the popular media and it doesn't take long for the sewer of our culture to lap its banks poison your life.
When will we wake up and stop our cultural sewer? Last week it was the racist comments by shock jock Don Imus. This week a bloody college campus.
Friends, our nation is facing a moral crisis.
While we will deplore this heinous crime, a deeper look at our culture must be warranted. There will be those apologists who will say that there is no connection between these events. But, when life becomes cheap, the trickle down effect touches all parts of our society. Whether its racist demeaning comments intended as a "joke", or a brutal murderous college rampage, there is a connection.
To think otherwise is thoughtless.
What we put into our culture will come out in some form. Flip on the television or engage in most of the popular media and it doesn't take long for the sewer of our culture to lap its banks poison your life.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Words Matter
Words matter. Words establish the meaning of your heart. They tell others what you think and believe. There used to communicate our deepest beliefs and our jokes. And what you say will be used to measure who you are by others.
I don't know Don Imus. But his comments of last week and over the years paint a picture of who he is. Even though Mr. Imus claims that what he says is all in jest and fun, many people don't see what he says that way.
Jesus Christ is known as the Word of God. Scripture is referred to as the Word of God. God has establised His identity through His Word.
What you say matters. For believers, are speech is to be seasoned, meaning that our words are to glorify God and bring wisdom into every situation. The Apostle Paul writes,"Let your conservation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone"-Col. 4:6
I don't know Don Imus. But his comments of last week and over the years paint a picture of who he is. Even though Mr. Imus claims that what he says is all in jest and fun, many people don't see what he says that way.
Jesus Christ is known as the Word of God. Scripture is referred to as the Word of God. God has establised His identity through His Word.
What you say matters. For believers, are speech is to be seasoned, meaning that our words are to glorify God and bring wisdom into every situation. The Apostle Paul writes,"Let your conservation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone"-Col. 4:6
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Three Reasons Why America Needs God
Its amazing to me but we live in a time where many Americans (whether they are of faith or not) have forgotten the blessings of "Providence."
Our founders had no confusion on this issue. The architected a system which reflected that belief in Providence at every turn. John Adams wrote in 1798 that, "our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
So for those who have either forgotten or simply disagree why America still needs God, here's are the arguments.
William Federer, best-selling author and president of Amerisearch offers these argument...
First, our rights. At the soul of our Declaration of Independence is the idea that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." The origin of these rights come from God. They are not issued by a government but their protection and equal application becomes the purpose of a government.
Second, our equality. President Calvin Coolidge stated in 1924 that, "the right to equality has for its foundation reverence for God. If we could imagine that swept away, our American government could not long survive." This idea was central to our nation's founding, that every citizen was equal before the law having an equal vote in all elections. The origin of this idea was based on the biblical principle of equality before a Supreme Being.
Third, few laws. To be a nation with few laws requires a citizenry with private moral restraint. Men and women must be controlled by either an internal power or a power without them-either the Word of God will temper our actions or the strong arm of government. Our founders believed in an after life where one's earthly actions would be judged by God. That knowledge would prove to be a powerful force for human activities and the promulgation of moral restraint.
President Reagen summed it up best in 1984, when he stated that "without God there is a coarsening fo the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure...If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under."
Our founders had no confusion on this issue. The architected a system which reflected that belief in Providence at every turn. John Adams wrote in 1798 that, "our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
So for those who have either forgotten or simply disagree why America still needs God, here's are the arguments.
William Federer, best-selling author and president of Amerisearch offers these argument...
First, our rights. At the soul of our Declaration of Independence is the idea that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." The origin of these rights come from God. They are not issued by a government but their protection and equal application becomes the purpose of a government.
Second, our equality. President Calvin Coolidge stated in 1924 that, "the right to equality has for its foundation reverence for God. If we could imagine that swept away, our American government could not long survive." This idea was central to our nation's founding, that every citizen was equal before the law having an equal vote in all elections. The origin of this idea was based on the biblical principle of equality before a Supreme Being.
Third, few laws. To be a nation with few laws requires a citizenry with private moral restraint. Men and women must be controlled by either an internal power or a power without them-either the Word of God will temper our actions or the strong arm of government. Our founders believed in an after life where one's earthly actions would be judged by God. That knowledge would prove to be a powerful force for human activities and the promulgation of moral restraint.
President Reagen summed it up best in 1984, when he stated that "without God there is a coarsening fo the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure...If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under."
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Go Coach Go!
AP News Flash---
Alexander City, also. (AP)- Central Alabama Community College baseball coach Don Ingram has resigned because the school removed two signs on the outfield fence carrying religious messages. The eight foot by 12 foot signs, sold to sponsors for one-thousand dollars apiece, were taken down after the school received complaints. An individual paid for a sign reading "John 3:16" that was sponsored by the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. The second sign, sponsored by a local Baptist church, read: "True success is finding out what God wants you to do, then doing it." In a letter to his latest signing class, Ingram said, "I resigned because I will not compromise my commitment to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." He will remain as coach and athletic director until his contract expires August 31st.
Just when you think that most Christians have sought cover from our modern corrosive culture, a hero of the faith stands up. I am reminded of the classic OT passage where Elijah complains to God that every Jew no longer followed God. Well, God smashed Elijah's pity party, stating in First Kings 19:8 that, "I reserve seven thousand in Israel whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." In those dark times, God had preserved a remnant that still served Him and which was not corrupted by the culture of that time.
Numbers mean little to God. It may appear for a time that the forces of evil are and will prevail. But if we look a little closer, God is still in control and there is still a vibrant and faithful remnant today.
Alexander City, also. (AP)- Central Alabama Community College baseball coach Don Ingram has resigned because the school removed two signs on the outfield fence carrying religious messages. The eight foot by 12 foot signs, sold to sponsors for one-thousand dollars apiece, were taken down after the school received complaints. An individual paid for a sign reading "John 3:16" that was sponsored by the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. The second sign, sponsored by a local Baptist church, read: "True success is finding out what God wants you to do, then doing it." In a letter to his latest signing class, Ingram said, "I resigned because I will not compromise my commitment to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." He will remain as coach and athletic director until his contract expires August 31st.
Just when you think that most Christians have sought cover from our modern corrosive culture, a hero of the faith stands up. I am reminded of the classic OT passage where Elijah complains to God that every Jew no longer followed God. Well, God smashed Elijah's pity party, stating in First Kings 19:8 that, "I reserve seven thousand in Israel whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." In those dark times, God had preserved a remnant that still served Him and which was not corrupted by the culture of that time.
Numbers mean little to God. It may appear for a time that the forces of evil are and will prevail. But if we look a little closer, God is still in control and there is still a vibrant and faithful remnant today.
Steely Resolve-Badly Needed in the UK
In today's New York Post, columnist Ralph Peters sarcastically asks the rhetorical question that many of us have been thinking of late, "Was Margaret Thatcher the last great man in Great Britain?" I would imagine that Winston Churchill is doing multiple flips in his grave over the weakness being displayed front and center by the current crop of British leaders the hostage crisis with Iran. Those of us Americans old enough to remember our own hostage crisis with Iran in the 1970's remember our weak and tepid response. It was a shameful chapter for America.
Remarkably, a recent British poll showed only 7% of the British public believed that military force should be used against Iran while only 44% believed that military force should be used in any case to resolve the current crisis.
It is sad to see few Britishers with their proud heritage of fighting tyranny world wide blink in the face of naked aggression by a terrorist state.
I still hold hope though that the ghosts of great British leaders like Lord Nelson, William Wilberforce and Winston Churchill will summon forth Britain's deep national pride to push back the latest incarnation of evil.
Rule again Britannia!
Remarkably, a recent British poll showed only 7% of the British public believed that military force should be used against Iran while only 44% believed that military force should be used in any case to resolve the current crisis.
It is sad to see few Britishers with their proud heritage of fighting tyranny world wide blink in the face of naked aggression by a terrorist state.
I still hold hope though that the ghosts of great British leaders like Lord Nelson, William Wilberforce and Winston Churchill will summon forth Britain's deep national pride to push back the latest incarnation of evil.
Rule again Britannia!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Faith Always Trumps Party
I will die for my faith but not for my politics. But that aside, I would self describe myself politically as a social conservative
Perhaps you have heard of best-selling Christian author Jim Wallis (God's Politics) or even Reverend Tony Campolo. Both men claim faith in Jesus Christ and express their spiritual views in an evangelical fashion.
But both men are liberals politically. What then would we have in common?
In the last several years, there is a widening fissure between conservative evangelicals and liberal evangelicals over the hot political issues of the day- the war in Iraq; homosexual rights; the role of the government, etc. These political differences are significant.
But the balance point for all of us, is to keep in mind that faith always trumps party. In this sense, Chapman, Wallis and Campolo have much in common. There is no political litmus test in heaven only a spiritual/faith requirement- faith in Jesus Christ and the advancement of God's Kingdom.
Jesus encountered the political leaders of his day. He did not take sides in the political issues of that day (and there were lots of hot issues then too). What he challenge them to do was to think beyond their politics to a bigger equation- what truly is the Kingdom of God.
Those principles which Jesus taught are ideas that we can rally around now.
Before we slay each other, let's remember that politics will fade away in heaven. I will break bread with the Jim Wallis' and Tony Campolo's of the world one day in glory.
I have a hunch that my political affiliation will mean little on that day.
Perhaps you have heard of best-selling Christian author Jim Wallis (God's Politics) or even Reverend Tony Campolo. Both men claim faith in Jesus Christ and express their spiritual views in an evangelical fashion.
But both men are liberals politically. What then would we have in common?
In the last several years, there is a widening fissure between conservative evangelicals and liberal evangelicals over the hot political issues of the day- the war in Iraq; homosexual rights; the role of the government, etc. These political differences are significant.
But the balance point for all of us, is to keep in mind that faith always trumps party. In this sense, Chapman, Wallis and Campolo have much in common. There is no political litmus test in heaven only a spiritual/faith requirement- faith in Jesus Christ and the advancement of God's Kingdom.
Jesus encountered the political leaders of his day. He did not take sides in the political issues of that day (and there were lots of hot issues then too). What he challenge them to do was to think beyond their politics to a bigger equation- what truly is the Kingdom of God.
Those principles which Jesus taught are ideas that we can rally around now.
Before we slay each other, let's remember that politics will fade away in heaven. I will break bread with the Jim Wallis' and Tony Campolo's of the world one day in glory.
I have a hunch that my political affiliation will mean little on that day.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The "Haggard" Effect
You may be surprised by a recent Rocky Mountain News story which shockingly stated that more than 5o percent of pastors are unfaithful to their spouse. Here's the story.
Some in the Colorado media are titling this problem the Haggard Effect. Frankly, this crisis in the pulpit has nothing to do with Ted Haggard other than the emerging fact that a bunch of pastors may be infected with the same disease.
Is there some truth to this story- yes, I think so. But is every pastor a sex-crazed addict- no. Most pastors are not leading a double secretive life. However, many pastors set themselves up to be tempted and to fall. They often labor with little gratitude, scant accountability and inappropriate attention from people they are counseling. Mix in a lack of family time and long hours, and temptation can find some pretty fertile ground.
Sometimes we think pastors are super humans impervious to human temptations. They are not. Encourage and care for your pastor. Challenge them to be married to their wife and family, not the church. Provide the means for your pastor to go on a marriage retreat to renew their relationship with their spouse...
What do you think?
Some in the Colorado media are titling this problem the Haggard Effect. Frankly, this crisis in the pulpit has nothing to do with Ted Haggard other than the emerging fact that a bunch of pastors may be infected with the same disease.
Is there some truth to this story- yes, I think so. But is every pastor a sex-crazed addict- no. Most pastors are not leading a double secretive life. However, many pastors set themselves up to be tempted and to fall. They often labor with little gratitude, scant accountability and inappropriate attention from people they are counseling. Mix in a lack of family time and long hours, and temptation can find some pretty fertile ground.
Sometimes we think pastors are super humans impervious to human temptations. They are not. Encourage and care for your pastor. Challenge them to be married to their wife and family, not the church. Provide the means for your pastor to go on a marriage retreat to renew their relationship with their spouse...
What do you think?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
World Congress of Families
This May 11-13th, the World Congress of Families IV will be held in Warsaw, Poland. For many of us this conference is too far away to attend.
But what caught my attention was their premises. Here they are and they are refreshing indeed:
*From "The family as an obstacle to development" to "The family as the source of social renewal and progress."
*From "overpopulation" to "under-population" as the demographic challenge of the 21st century.
*And from religious orthodoxy as a "threat to progress" to "religious orthodoxy as the source of humane values and cultural progress."
Sounds good to me.
But what caught my attention was their premises. Here they are and they are refreshing indeed:
*From "The family as an obstacle to development" to "The family as the source of social renewal and progress."
*From "overpopulation" to "under-population" as the demographic challenge of the 21st century.
*And from religious orthodoxy as a "threat to progress" to "religious orthodoxy as the source of humane values and cultural progress."
Sounds good to me.
Pure By Choice- A Huge Success!
Last Sunday, my eldest daughter and I attended the fourth annual Pure By Choice conference here in Denver. Wow! What a great event...If you haven't heard about it, its a "cannot miss" event for you in 2008 if you have teenagers. There were more than 4000 kids in attendance!
Most of us would agree that the current teenage culture is corrosive and poisonous- and that's on a good day. The excesses of this teen culture is spewing out human wreckage every where, and there's a future price tag that will come due one day for what we are exposing our young adults to.
But in the midst of this darkness, a glimmer of hope is shining brightly. Its all about sexual purity. Its all about reclaiming a new ethos, that is a way of life based on the timeless principle of sexual purity and abstinence before marriage. Pure By Choice is a half-day conference for teens dedicated to encouraging and promoting their sexual abstinence and purity. They have great teen speakers, loud teen music and most of all, a wholesome godly message.
This whole event is completely counter-cultural to what teens normally hear and see in their schools, on television and in their pop music. Everything they do is centered on this fact: God has made sex and its very good. And God wants us to wait until marriage to experience it. For me at least, this was a refreshing wind free from the current stench of our cultural sexual values and practices.
I could go on and on about this event, but let me summarize by saying this...Decades ago when I was a teenager, the worse thing a sexually promiscuous teen could contract was syphilis. It did not kill you. Today, sexually transmitted diseases are rampant. A teen in the twenty-first century has a one in four chance of catching some pretty nasty bugs which will kill you...
Most of us would agree that the current teenage culture is corrosive and poisonous- and that's on a good day. The excesses of this teen culture is spewing out human wreckage every where, and there's a future price tag that will come due one day for what we are exposing our young adults to.
But in the midst of this darkness, a glimmer of hope is shining brightly. Its all about sexual purity. Its all about reclaiming a new ethos, that is a way of life based on the timeless principle of sexual purity and abstinence before marriage. Pure By Choice is a half-day conference for teens dedicated to encouraging and promoting their sexual abstinence and purity. They have great teen speakers, loud teen music and most of all, a wholesome godly message.
This whole event is completely counter-cultural to what teens normally hear and see in their schools, on television and in their pop music. Everything they do is centered on this fact: God has made sex and its very good. And God wants us to wait until marriage to experience it. For me at least, this was a refreshing wind free from the current stench of our cultural sexual values and practices.
I could go on and on about this event, but let me summarize by saying this...Decades ago when I was a teenager, the worse thing a sexually promiscuous teen could contract was syphilis. It did not kill you. Today, sexually transmitted diseases are rampant. A teen in the twenty-first century has a one in four chance of catching some pretty nasty bugs which will kill you...
Monday, March 05, 2007
Abstinence Carries the Day!
Feel free to disagree but here are five abstinence facts to think about:
Fact: Government spends $12 to promote contraception for every $1 spent on abstinence.
Fact: Early sexual activity has harmful consequences.
Fact: Most teenagers say that they wish they would have waited until they were older before having sex.
Fact: Abstinence programs reduce teenage sexual activity including a reduction of out of wedlock births.
Fact: Parents overwhelmingly oppose the values of comprehensive sex education.
The facts have it...
Fact: Government spends $12 to promote contraception for every $1 spent on abstinence.
Fact: Early sexual activity has harmful consequences.
Fact: Most teenagers say that they wish they would have waited until they were older before having sex.
Fact: Abstinence programs reduce teenage sexual activity including a reduction of out of wedlock births.
Fact: Parents overwhelmingly oppose the values of comprehensive sex education.
The facts have it...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Celebrating Ash Wednesday
For many believers, the annual celebration of Ash Wednesday is an essential practice of their faith. Among Catholic communities in Colorado, its practice is very popular. Yet for many Christians its origins remain a mystery.
Believed by many to have started in the 6th century A.D., its celebration is marked by the placing of an ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of the recipient. Seen as a staple of Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, its practice is gaining popularity among more evangelical protestant groups.
The heart of Ash Wednesday is to remind believers of God's mercy towards them while encouraging merciful acts towards others. For more information on Ash Wednesday and its origins and practices, click here.
Believed by many to have started in the 6th century A.D., its celebration is marked by the placing of an ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of the recipient. Seen as a staple of Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, its practice is gaining popularity among more evangelical protestant groups.
The heart of Ash Wednesday is to remind believers of God's mercy towards them while encouraging merciful acts towards others. For more information on Ash Wednesday and its origins and practices, click here.
Amazing Grace
Great movie, Amazing Grace- it opens on Friday, February 23rd. I hope movie fans and folks who enjoy an uplifting and redeeming movie will buy tickets for this one.
Much can be said for this film but what struck me was Wilberforce's commitment to two great causes- the ending of slavery and the reformation of his society and culture. Wilberforce accurately assessed the fact that to change the slavery laws would require changing the hearts and mind of people. But most importantly, this task would be impossible unless his own heart was transformed.
Wilberforce's pastor, John Newton, penned one of the most famous Christian hymns, Amazing Grace. Born during a fierce ocean storm, this song continues to captivate its listeners with its radical but simple message of God's grace for the sinner.
Newton and Wilberforce realized a truth- a timeless truth we need today. God in his sovereign work offers all of us amazing unmerited grace. And the grace, when sipped by a grace-seeker, not only aligns us with God it motivates us to rescue others. Grace is not limited by race, color, social standing or wealth. It flows openly to all who believe in and commit their lives to God.
Much can be said for this film but what struck me was Wilberforce's commitment to two great causes- the ending of slavery and the reformation of his society and culture. Wilberforce accurately assessed the fact that to change the slavery laws would require changing the hearts and mind of people. But most importantly, this task would be impossible unless his own heart was transformed.
Wilberforce's pastor, John Newton, penned one of the most famous Christian hymns, Amazing Grace. Born during a fierce ocean storm, this song continues to captivate its listeners with its radical but simple message of God's grace for the sinner.
Newton and Wilberforce realized a truth- a timeless truth we need today. God in his sovereign work offers all of us amazing unmerited grace. And the grace, when sipped by a grace-seeker, not only aligns us with God it motivates us to rescue others. Grace is not limited by race, color, social standing or wealth. It flows openly to all who believe in and commit their lives to God.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Amazing Grace and Christian Collaboration
Unfortunately, Christians are inconsistent when it comes to working well for the common good of our culture. But there are some shining exceptions to the "rule."
One of my favorite Christian writers, Chuck Colson, pens a fantastic article in today's daily update. He tells the poignant story about the collaboration of two Christian groups in nineteenth century England who worked together to end slavery. The most infamous member of this group was William Wilberforce, a well known principled Christian statesman in England during the nineteenth century. His partners in this endeavor were a lesser known sect, the Clapham Saints.
Their collaborative work changed their culture.
Before you read Colson's thoughts, let me quickly add one of my own. First Corinthians 12 reminds all believers of our integration with other Christians. The Apostle Paul brilliantly states that every Christian, great or small, has vital skills and talents needed by the entire church.
If we are to impact our time and culture, we must work with each other for the common good, finding issues that we can offer solutions to...
Here's Colson's article, the Spirit of Collaboration.
One of my favorite Christian writers, Chuck Colson, pens a fantastic article in today's daily update. He tells the poignant story about the collaboration of two Christian groups in nineteenth century England who worked together to end slavery. The most infamous member of this group was William Wilberforce, a well known principled Christian statesman in England during the nineteenth century. His partners in this endeavor were a lesser known sect, the Clapham Saints.
Their collaborative work changed their culture.
Before you read Colson's thoughts, let me quickly add one of my own. First Corinthians 12 reminds all believers of our integration with other Christians. The Apostle Paul brilliantly states that every Christian, great or small, has vital skills and talents needed by the entire church.
If we are to impact our time and culture, we must work with each other for the common good, finding issues that we can offer solutions to...
Here's Colson's article, the Spirit of Collaboration.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The True Meaning of Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day-almost...Most of us think about Valentine's Day in a couple of ways. Hopeless romantics pine away for the day, planning extravagent romantic ventures. The rest of us either forget about it and get caught short-handed or we quickly grab a some flowers or candy on the fly.
But Valentine's Day has a great historical background. Here it is below and its a bit long....
When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows. But did you know that the origin of Valentine's day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr? According to author Martha Zimmerman, the date traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine's day finds it origin in the Roman festival of romance called Lupercalia, when the gods Juno and Pan were honored. It was a fertility festival or a lover's holiday looking forward to the return of Spring. In the fifth century, in an attempt to abolish the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia and its February 15 date to February 14 and called it Saint Valentine's Day. Even though the names and the date were changed, the emphasis continued to be on love. Who was the real Valentine, and why did he have a day named after him?
Some authorities credit Geoffrey Chaucer with originating the custom of linking Valentine's day with lovers. No link between the day and lovers exists before the time of Chaucer, thus leading some to conclude that it was this famous English author who connected the day with lovers. The fullest and earliest description of the tradition occurs in Chaucer's "Parliament of Fouls" composed around 1380. Since that time it has been traditional to connect St. Valentine's Day with love. But who was the real Saint Valentine? St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to tradition, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. The only thing certain about the day we remember as St. Valentine's day is that it commemorates a martyrdom. Claudius II declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, "Caesar is Lord!" Of course, this no Christian could do.
The real Valentine was a Roman Christian martyred during the third century A.D. by the Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his death, Valentine continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. When the Emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he sentenced Valentine to death. Just before being led out to his execution, the young Christian wrote a note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The first valentine was really a Christian witness. Growing out of this story we participate in a custom of sending cards to people we love.
Given that the tradition of sending love notes grows out of a letter written by St. Valentine to his jailer's daughter on the eve of Valentine's execution, it's ironic that the card we send has received the emphasis, instead of remembering the content of the original Valentine's card: a message of unconditional devotion to Christ, even upon pain of death. Over time the word "Saint" has been dropped from St. Valentine's Day, further obscuring the origins of this holiday. Instead of a negative reaction to some of the pagan origins of the day, why not celebrate the true love that compelled young Valentine to give up his life? Remember that the day we know as St. Valentine's day actually commemorates the death of an early Christian martyr, Valentine, who was put to death for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ. Instead of chubby cherubs, sappy cards, too much candy, and soon-wilted flowers, why not point your family toward the true significance of St. Valentine's day this year? By all means, celebrate the day, but re-inject it with Christian meaning by resolving to live for Jesus without fear or shame, following the godly example of Valentine's unconditional love for Christ.
How can you celebrate St. Valentine's Day in a way that honors the original Valentine, who was martyred for his devotion to God? First, give your life to Christ. Second, declare the truth about God's love even if it costs you something. Third, become a servant to those you love, rather than demanding that your needs be met. According to pastor Alex Stevenson, we all want to hear the phrase, "be my Valentine." It simply means "you are loved." This Valentine's day, remember that you are loved. God loves you and wants you to be His valentine. The love that God gives us is not like the world's love. The world's love is only as sturdy as a paper Valentine's card. But God's love is not a flimsy, cheap imitation: it is the real thing. It is an all-giving love that was and is willing to suffer and die for our deliverance. Will you be God's valentine? It is your choice. Say yes and give to God the love He desires. And when you do, remember the first Valentine and how he gave everything, including his life, to the God he loved.
Rocky Mountain Family Council
8704 Yates Drive, Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 292-1800
This resource may be reprinted without change and in its entirely for non-commercial purposes
without prior permission from the Rocky Mountain Family Council.
But Valentine's Day has a great historical background. Here it is below and its a bit long....
When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows. But did you know that the origin of Valentine's day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr? According to author Martha Zimmerman, the date traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine's day finds it origin in the Roman festival of romance called Lupercalia, when the gods Juno and Pan were honored. It was a fertility festival or a lover's holiday looking forward to the return of Spring. In the fifth century, in an attempt to abolish the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia and its February 15 date to February 14 and called it Saint Valentine's Day. Even though the names and the date were changed, the emphasis continued to be on love. Who was the real Valentine, and why did he have a day named after him?
Some authorities credit Geoffrey Chaucer with originating the custom of linking Valentine's day with lovers. No link between the day and lovers exists before the time of Chaucer, thus leading some to conclude that it was this famous English author who connected the day with lovers. The fullest and earliest description of the tradition occurs in Chaucer's "Parliament of Fouls" composed around 1380. Since that time it has been traditional to connect St. Valentine's Day with love. But who was the real Saint Valentine? St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to tradition, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. The only thing certain about the day we remember as St. Valentine's day is that it commemorates a martyrdom. Claudius II declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, "Caesar is Lord!" Of course, this no Christian could do.
The real Valentine was a Roman Christian martyred during the third century A.D. by the Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his death, Valentine continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. When the Emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he sentenced Valentine to death. Just before being led out to his execution, the young Christian wrote a note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The first valentine was really a Christian witness. Growing out of this story we participate in a custom of sending cards to people we love.
Given that the tradition of sending love notes grows out of a letter written by St. Valentine to his jailer's daughter on the eve of Valentine's execution, it's ironic that the card we send has received the emphasis, instead of remembering the content of the original Valentine's card: a message of unconditional devotion to Christ, even upon pain of death. Over time the word "Saint" has been dropped from St. Valentine's Day, further obscuring the origins of this holiday. Instead of a negative reaction to some of the pagan origins of the day, why not celebrate the true love that compelled young Valentine to give up his life? Remember that the day we know as St. Valentine's day actually commemorates the death of an early Christian martyr, Valentine, who was put to death for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ. Instead of chubby cherubs, sappy cards, too much candy, and soon-wilted flowers, why not point your family toward the true significance of St. Valentine's day this year? By all means, celebrate the day, but re-inject it with Christian meaning by resolving to live for Jesus without fear or shame, following the godly example of Valentine's unconditional love for Christ.
How can you celebrate St. Valentine's Day in a way that honors the original Valentine, who was martyred for his devotion to God? First, give your life to Christ. Second, declare the truth about God's love even if it costs you something. Third, become a servant to those you love, rather than demanding that your needs be met. According to pastor Alex Stevenson, we all want to hear the phrase, "be my Valentine." It simply means "you are loved." This Valentine's day, remember that you are loved. God loves you and wants you to be His valentine. The love that God gives us is not like the world's love. The world's love is only as sturdy as a paper Valentine's card. But God's love is not a flimsy, cheap imitation: it is the real thing. It is an all-giving love that was and is willing to suffer and die for our deliverance. Will you be God's valentine? It is your choice. Say yes and give to God the love He desires. And when you do, remember the first Valentine and how he gave everything, including his life, to the God he loved.
Rocky Mountain Family Council
8704 Yates Drive, Suite 205
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 292-1800
This resource may be reprinted without change and in its entirely for non-commercial purposes
without prior permission from the Rocky Mountain Family Council.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
TV Violence Explodes
According to a new report from the Parent's Television Council, a Los Angeles based media watchdog group, TV violence is rampant. "The television season that began in the fall of 2005 was one of the most violent in recent history-an increase of 75% since the 1998 television season."
Wow. Guess who is most impacted by our television-watching habits? Children. TV violence is a bit of paradox in that social science studies have proven that repeated television violence leads to delinquet behavior in children. Yet, adults routinely turn on such violent shows as CSI, etc.
Here are some more major findings from the report. These numbers represent the increases in violence on television since 1998:
1- Violence increased during the 8:00 p.m. hour by 45%.
2- Violence increased during the 9:00 p.m. hour by 92%.
3- ABC has experienced the highest growth in violent programs-nearly 309%!
4- ABC' s short lived program, Night Stalker was the most violent show in the 2005-2006 season.
5-Every program airing on NBC in the 10:00 p.m. hour contained at least one instance of violence.
Finally, the "v-chip" technology, heralded as the anti-dote to television violence, has made little difference the number of children watching violent programs.
As adults, we need to review what we watch and remember that our kids are not prepared to watch what we do...
Wow. Guess who is most impacted by our television-watching habits? Children. TV violence is a bit of paradox in that social science studies have proven that repeated television violence leads to delinquet behavior in children. Yet, adults routinely turn on such violent shows as CSI, etc.
Here are some more major findings from the report. These numbers represent the increases in violence on television since 1998:
1- Violence increased during the 8:00 p.m. hour by 45%.
2- Violence increased during the 9:00 p.m. hour by 92%.
3- ABC has experienced the highest growth in violent programs-nearly 309%!
4- ABC' s short lived program, Night Stalker was the most violent show in the 2005-2006 season.
5-Every program airing on NBC in the 10:00 p.m. hour contained at least one instance of violence.
Finally, the "v-chip" technology, heralded as the anti-dote to television violence, has made little difference the number of children watching violent programs.
As adults, we need to review what we watch and remember that our kids are not prepared to watch what we do...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)