Friday, May 29. 2009
Many people object to the Hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers". It is, they say, too militaristic and violates the message of love that Jesus preached and lived. I came across a Blogger who agrees with that sentiment and he posted this link connecting images of soldiers with Scripture. That Blogger was offended by what he saw. Personally, I was blessed by the photos. I do not agree that the verses were intended to go with the war in Iraq as such. But the metaphor of warfare is very common in Scripture and we Christians are called to be soldiers waging battle against evil; but Paul makes clear that we individual Believers, in distinction from our Nation) war against spiritual forces of evil, not flesh and blood, and that our weapons are not bombs and bullets, but Preaching (the Gospel and Truth) and Prayer. That understood, I found these photos very appropriate and challenging to my Christian life and ministry.
http://men.style.com/gq/features/topsecret
Sunday, May 24. 2009
This is not Veterans Day. That is when we honor all who wear or have worn military uniforms. This is Memorial Day, when we officially honor and give thanks, as a Nation, for those in our Armed Forces who have died serving our Country in our various wars. In speeches on this Day, we tend to make them all heroes and say they all gave their lives defending our freedoms. We want to believe that. The truth is that the story of their bloody deaths is not always so sanguine.
Continue reading "THIS IS NOT VETERANS' DAY"
Monday, May 18. 2009
John Wilson, Editor of Books and Culture, a splendid Christian literary magazine, writes, "On some subjects I have an embarrassment of riches when I start looking for potential reviewers. On other subjects, the reverse is true. One of the latter is labor history (not thriving in Books & Culture circles, alas, though a lot of bright young people are writing dissertations about the evils of capitalism)."
My reading confirms "a lot of bright young people are writing ... about the evils of capitalism"- and that among these bright young people are Evangelicals. I am not glad they are buying into anti-capitalism.
Continue reading "CAPITALISM IS GOOD AND THE HOPE OF THE POOR"
Monday, May 18. 2009
In his speech yesterday at Notre Dame, Mr Obama tried to address the division in our Country over the topic of Abortion (actually, becoming even more controversial is the topic of "Gay Marriage" which is beginning to divide us even more). He pleaded for civil discourse and mutual respect. Sure, good, yes, let there be civil discourse and mutal respect. But, as he acknoweldged the positions in the debate seem irreconcilable.
If we are true Evangelicals we argue from the Bible, the entire Bible, with texts being interpreted in contexts. In both these subjects, we begin with the Scripture and our opponents do not. Result? Stalemate.
But we all should be able to agree on those measures which will decrease the numbers of unwanted pregnancies and abortions in our Country. That is easier said then done, but it is possible and that is where we should all focus instead of yelling at each other from two sides of the street. With a few individual exceptions neither side is going to convert the other.
Monday, May 18. 2009
In the daily news there are stories of bloody civil wars as in Sri Lanka, of suicide bombers and terrorism, torture and cruelty in many countries, of drug cartels, gang violence, over crowded prisons, widespread and devastating white collar crime and the now common-place stories of business failings and bankruptcies, political graft and corruption and the ever present reality of extreme poverty.
As with the disciples in their boat being tossed about by storm driven waves, we cry out to Jesus, "Lord, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38)
Care? of course Christ cares! God cares when the people He created good, act evil and destroy each other. He cared enough to put into place a Plan to redeem them. There is a way out of this mess. It goes through the cross and the tomb and on to the Throne above and into the Kingdom back here on earth.
The real question is, do the people of Christ care? Do they care that the world drowns in sin and evil? Do they care enough to intentionally, persistently share the Message of Redemption in their home town and work place as well as around the globe and to put the Message into action in their lives?
Well, thankfully, many do! If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we know there is Light in the Darkness and many are at work carrying that Light around the world. There are those who serve the Risen Christ through Evangelism, planting churches and making disciples. There are those who work for the dignity and well-being of all persons; there are those who demonstrate and teach the young about marriage and family; there are those who provide education, training and employment for all, including the "least among us"; and there are those who actively pursue and seek to preserve economic and political freedom for all everywhere. Thank God for the Light and those who are spreading it today, many under great duress. Christ cares and all these people share His care. Their reward will be great in Heaven! And we all can have hope, not despair, when we read the daily news.
Saturday, May 16. 2009
Out of Ur Newsletter 5-15 This article (in bold letters) is written by Skye Jethani, managing editor of Leadership
The fact that Christians draw their faith, life, and identity from a Messiah who was the victim of political torture seems ironic in light of new research by the Pew Forum that indicates 62 percent of white evangelicals believe torture of suspected terrorists is "often" or "sometimes" justified.
Continue reading "IS "TORTURE" EVER JUSTIFIED?"
Saturday, May 16. 2009
An article in the Boston Globe by Jenna Russell (May 11, 2009) was trying to explain why New England is going for "Gay Marriage". New Hampshire is set to legalize it next week, joining Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The piece begins with a Maine State Legislator explaining that, while he is a "born again Christian" and does not agree with homosexuality or "Gay Marriage", he nevertheless voted for it because "it was purely an issue of fairness ... these people deserve the same rights." that non-homosexuals have to get married. HEREMs Russell proposes several reasons for support of "Gay Marriage" by New Englanders-
Continue reading "WHY NEW ENGLAND AND EVANGELICALS SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE"
Saturday, May 16. 2009
A story in this week's Post is about "a far-reaching social trend unfolding across the United States: The number of children being born out of wedlock has risen sharply in recent years, driven primarily by women in their 20s and 30s opting to have children without getting married. Nearly four out of every 10 births are now to unmarried women.
"Although the report did not examine the reasons for the increase, ... experts cite a confluence of factors, including a lessening of the social stigma associated with unmarried motherhood, an increase in couples delaying or forgoing marriage, and growing numbers of financially independent women and older and single women deciding to have children on their own after delaying childbearing."
Continue reading "ILLEGITIMATE BABY BOOM "
Monday, May 11. 2009
One of the most important considerations voters must have in mind, when they decide on a candidate for President, is what kind of person (including how they will interpret the Constitution) will their candidate if elected appoint to the Supreme Court. That opportunity has arrived for Mr Obama. Here is the first of a series of very good articles on what is involved, written by Thomas Sowell. Read all of them- the issues are that important!
Sunday, May 10. 2009
I have posted new articles on my website. They are listed on the Frontpage under the menu bar. -Cal
http://www.reformedliving.org/
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