A Dash of Salt

Following Christ in Tough Economic Times

"It's the stupid economy, stupid!"  What's a follower of Jesus to do when the economy is in shambles?  Here are some links that have helped me make some sense of the current situation...

Jim Martin got the ball rolling for me with this most important question.

Ira Glass and his crew at Public Radio's "This American Life" produced two terrific hour-long programs that discussed the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the so-called $700 billion bailout for the banking industry, which you can listen to or read the transcripts:

• The Giant Pool of Money (Program 355)

• Another Frightening Show on the Economy (Program 365)

Dr. Al Mohler offers a balanced Christian perspective on the economy.

Matt Perman calls us to pray for the economy.

Justin Taylor interviews David Kotter, who earned an MBA, taught economics, and worked as a finance manager for Ford Motor Company on what to think about the banking crisis.

This is what I said to my church family about "Sleeping Well in Anxious Times."

Weekend Wonderings

This has been a hectic week for me as it probably has been for you, I bet.  Here are some interesting places I've on the internet, the little time that I have had to surf...

Reflections on the life and ministry of Rev. Jerry Falwell. Taking the time to read these different posts from various perspectives gives a broader, deeper picture of the public mega-church pastor and founder of the Moral Majority in the 70's and 80's. Two rememberances of Falwell you probably haven't read: Rick Warren and Eric Redmond.

How about a lesson in art appreciation? Justin Taylor hit the beehive with a stick when he posted some seemingly innocent comments about the outrageous price of $72.8 million paid for the late Mark Rothko's abstract painting, White Center.  Read his brief post and then scan through the comments. Wow! A great discussion.

Very cool video of the week: The Fastest Production Car in the World, the Bugatti Veyron.  This six-minute segment from the British car show, Top Gear, is slick. Even if you're a "non-gearhead" like me, you've got appreciate this car hitting its top speed of 253 mph! (Hat Tip: Joe Carter)

Lightning strikes the Empire State Building in NYC about 100 times per year.  How about this photo taken this past Thursday? (HT: Relevant) Photo by Susanna Bates for the NY Daily News.
 

Can Christians Learn Anything from Atheists?

Yahoo! News posted an interesting story last week, "Christians and Atheists Start A Calmer Dialogue" (HT: Relevant).  It's important for believers in Jesus Christ to remember that those who have not yet trusted Christ are not the enemy; they are prisoners of the enemy.  Think about it: What's the difference between a debate and a dialogue?  What do you think of Christians dialoging with atheists and other non-believers rather than debating them? 

Weekend Wonderings

Have you been duped by one of these?  The Top 25 Web Hoaxes and Pranks, as compiled by PCWorld.  "If it's on the Internet, it has to be true, right?!?"  (HT Joe Carter and Relevant)

This is an interesting report the late President Reagan's private diary of his White House years.  You gotta love the man even if you don't agree with how he lead the country.  (HT: Scot McKnight)

A guy in the Netherlands built a replica of Noah's Ark using the dimensions given in Genesis.  It's not full size but still large enough for a 50-seat theater in the keel.  Noah's was actually 5x larger than the Dutch version.

Perhaps you have heard about the three Christian men who were brutally martyred in Turkey several weeks ago.  This week a very graphic account of their torture and death circulated on the web, which turned out to have exaggerated a few of the details.  The brothers were indeed tortured and killed for their faith, just not a gruesomely as had been reported.  Here is a letter from the Protestant Church in Smyrna (Izmir) clarifying what happened to the men when they went to a Bible study with several seekers. (HT: Justin Taylor and Denny Burk)

The Kind of Prayer America Needs

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn  from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)

While this promise was given primarily to ancient Israel when God spoke to King Solomon after the dedication of his temple, I believe that there is a secondary application to God's people, the followers of Christ today, regardless of their nationality.  God owes the United States of America nothing, yet He loves and cares for "his people," every person who loves and trusts Him.  They have the opportunity to bless their nations, tribes, and communities through prayer.

Intercessory prayer that God hears and responds to with favor is honest and humble.  It starts with the recognition that judgment begins in the family of God, not the world.  The greatest need your nation has is for the Christians there to live God-pleasing lives.  Holy living grows out of humble confession of sin, calling out to God in prayer, seeking to know God and being aware that He is watching, and turning away from sin. When we pray like that, God promises to hear from heaven, and to forgive our sin, and to heal our land.

Rather than casting blame on others for the moral failures of the USA, search your own heart and life.  Make things right with God through personal repentance and confession, and then pray for the healing of yourself, your family, your community, your country, and your church.  "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16) 

Weekend Wonderings

Mark Roberts on the image we should remember from the Virginia Tech tragedy: not angry Cho Seung-Hui but heroic Dr. Liviu Librescu.

If there is no God and no higher authority telling us humans what is right and wrong as atheists contend, then who is to say that what Cho Seung-Hui did Monday at Virginia Tech was wrong?  But the fact is, atheists are outraged at the massacre just as almost everyone else is.  What has to be frustrating for atheists is that in their scheme of things, there is no final judgment.  Therefore, Cho has killed himself and thus has ceased to exist, and does not have to face justice for his crimes.  Read this thoughtful piece called "Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Virginia Tech." (HT: Justin Taylor)

Did you hear about presidential candidate John Edward's $400 haircut?  Incredible.  Mr. Edwards takes his hair seriously, as evidenced in this video "clip".  I could get almost 62 haircuts from Charlie, my barber, at that price, and that would last me over seven years!

Encouragement from Jim Martin: "The Lord Is My Helper."

"How to Get Out of Debt" an old Saturday Night Live sketch...funny and true. (HT: Michael Kruse)

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." (Jackie Robinson)  April 15th was the 60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first major league baseball game, which of course was significant because he was the first African American to play in the majors.  TIME Magazine featured a great set of articles on the impact Robinson made on other African American players in the big leagues, "In the Footsteps of a Legend."

Gun Control for the Soul?

How could the horrific mass killing at Virginia Tech happen?  After yesterday's senseless violence, it's easy to speculate.  Tighter gun control and more vigilant campus security might have made a difference, but according to investigators, the ultimate cause behind yesterday's bloody massacre appears to have been the unchecked anger in one student's heart. 

Anger itself is not sinful. It's a God-given emotion that energizes us to act.  It can be used to do good or to do evil.  Anger becomes dangerous when we choose to use it sinfully by either stuffing it within or venting it without. 

When we internalize and stuff our anger inside we only hurt ourselves.  Our bitterness slowly eats away at our souls like a cancer and twists our thinking so that we cannot view ourselves, our situation, or others clearly.  Our problem isn't solved when we clam up in anger; it only makes things worse.

Yet venting our anger is no better.  We may feel better by letting our pent-up rage out, but our angry outbursts leave a wake of damaged relationships and broken stuff.  The problem isn't solved by blowing up; it only makes things worse.

Sinful anger makes us vulnerable to Satanic influence.  That's a frightening thought, yet it's true.  We're warned,

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold...Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32, NIV) 

The devil gains a foothold of influence in my life every time I refuse to resolve my conflicts and forgive.  What role did this play on Monday in Blacksburg? 

God intends that we use anger righteously by channeling it into solving problems.  We need the energy of anger to pray (and maybe even fast).  We need it to persevere in doing good.  We need it to power clear communication.

Enacting tougher gun control laws would be relatively easy.  But how do we control our anger and learn to use it righteously? 

Start by recognizing that the time to deal with our anger is now.  What's wrong is not murder, as awful as it is.  The true problem is the anger at the root of such deeds of violence.  Jesus makes it clear that the problem is not violence or murder but anger:

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22, NIV) 

Jesus is not saying that insulting someone is as wicked as murder.  Rather, cursing someone and murdering are both expressions of the same sinful anger.  Jesus urges us nip sinful anger in the bud before it blossoms into the destruction of self or others.

Maybe you and I would never murder someone.  But isn't our unresolved, sinful anger still just as deadly to our relationships, and to our own souls?  If you're angry, ask yourself why you're angry.  Think about what you're thinking about.  Then decide: What do you do with your anger?  Will you let God's Spirit and God's people help work through it safely?

Weekend Wonderings

Things to ponder over from the web this week...

What do Christians need to learn about race relations from the fall of radio shock-jock Don Imus?  Here's the report from CBS News announcing Imus' firing.  Make sure you take a good, hard look at Edward Gilbreath's article in ChristianityToday.com, "Our 'Don Imus' Moment." (HT: Justin Taylor)

How far do we go in restoring a fallen but repentant believer?  Do we allow a repentant child-molester back into fellowship at our churches?  Ben Witherington weighs-in with this difficult topic.  It's worth a careful read along with all the comments from others.  How far do you think a church should go to restore an erring brother or sister?

This post by Jim Martin gave me a new appreciation for Forbes magazine and the people who quietly server me unnoticed: "His Name Is Carlos."  If you slowed down long enough, would you notice any "invisible people" like Carlos?  How do you treat those who do the mundane, dirty, and unappreciated work around you?

There are some jobs I just won't do.  For example, you couldn't pay me enough to serve as Governor of New Jersey!  First off, it's New Jersey.  Secondly, did you know that John Corzine is the third governor in a row of the Garden State to break his leg while in office?!?  James McGreevey did while walking at night along the beach in 2002, and Christine Todd Whitman did in 1999 while skiing in the Alps. What's up with that? (HT: TIME Magazine) 

Weekend Wonderings

I have not been able to be out and about on the Web much this week (I've been hiding under a huge rock called "Greek 4"), but here's a smattering of a things I thought were interesting...

Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know by Joe Carter.

Tomorrow (April 1st) is National Atheist Day, according to James Wilson.  (If you're not sure why that particular day was chosen, read Psalm 14:1.)

More information about The Secret from Al Mohler. (HT: Justin Taylor)

A humorous and necessary post on Cell Phone Manners by Jessica Robinson.

Wise words from Waco.  Jim Martin's thoughtful post on bad thinking, "Have You Ever Been Stuck?"

What do you think about having the Bible taught in the public schools?  TIME Magazine's David van Biema has put together a balanced article, "The Case for Teaching the Bible."

The Secret...Revealed

"...the Word of God, the mystery which has been hidden away from the beginning and from the generations, but now has been revealed to his saints (holy ones), to whom God desired to make known what (is) the riches of the glory of this mystery in the gentiles, which is Christ in you (all), the hope of the glory." (Colossians 1:26-27)

Millions of people have bought a book called The Secret.  When Oprah devoted two of her shows to promoting it, sales went through the roof.  The book claims to offer the secret found in all the great world religions to getting and achieving anything you want.  What's The Secret?  Simply focus your thoughts on your desires.  If you can imagine it, then you will get it.  One observer dubbed this process "mental magnetism." 

To me, all this just sounds like wishful thinking.  Mel Lawrenz at Elmbrook Church has written a thoughtful critique of The Secret, and it is worth your attention. (Hat tip: Scot McKnight)  The Secret offers nothing new.  Over the ages, many religions and philosophies have promised their followers "the secret" to life.  The authors of this book are merely others in a long line of charlatans preying upon the gullible.

The Secret is nothing new.  During the days of the early church, the gnostic teachers claimed to know the secrets of the mysteries to finding enlightenment, happiness, and perfection.  Paul was fully aware of their empty boasts.  He tells the Colossians (and us!) that the real secret to receiving both glory and godliness is revealed in Jesus Christ. 

A mystery, like the one Paul writes about in Colossians 1:26-27, involves something that was previously hidden, but now has been brought out into the open.  Paul is quite emphatic about this as he writes.  The mystery that had been concealed as now been revealed!  In fact, later in Colossians 4:3, Paul is going to ask for prayer that he can keep on revealing it to as many people as possible. 

The focus of the mystery is Christ living in us -- the indwelling presence of Christ.  Rather than a mantra repeated over and over for self-enlightenment or a magical incantation uttered in order to manipulate the invisible forces around us, the secret of the New Testament is that Christ lives inside his followers, the Church.  It reveals the secret that Jews and Gentiles together comprise the Church (Romans 11:25, Ephesians 3:5-6).  This is what makes the mystery so beautiful: its secret is for everyone, not just the initiated or elite few. 

Knowing this mystery changes us.  Instead of serving ourselves, we learn to serve God and others.  We gain a meaningful reason for living that goes beyond satisfying our own selfish desires.  And we confidently anticipate being glorified in God's presence one future day, all because Jesus lives inside us now. 

God's secret that Christ now lives within us may not guarantee worldly success in this life, but it certainly does provide us with hope for time and eternity.  That's something The Secret can never give.