LOSING AN ELDER, LOSING A LIBRARY!

Leviticus 19:32 - " 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. NIV

I get pages of forwards every week in my email inbox, and the truth is, I DELETE MOST WITHOUT READING THEM! Come on, you know my confession is merely one man speaking for many. Well, yesterday I received an excellent forward that spoke to my heart and challenged me to make a special effort to once again remember, honor and love the aged. This is another issue where the church must step up and lead the way. Here is the quote as I received it:

What Is Old Age For?
Elders as resources
—By William Thomas, Yes!
September 22, 2005 Issue
In our misguided quest for eternal youth, many of us forget the function and benefits of aging and the aged. Writing in Yes!, William Thomas reminds us that it is worth paying attention to the life-learned perspectives of the elderly, who have played an important role in building and maintaining a healthy social fabric for centuries.
Adults who are obsessed with remaining young face the risk of perpetuating a society of "developmentally delayed adults" fixated on accomplishment and lacking any sense of stewardship. Adults are goal-oriented and constantly doing; they are not comfortable simply being. Elders have spent their lives pursuing a variety of aspirations, their bodies have slowed down, and they are content just being. A sense of stewardship comes from the wisdom of being, not the action of doing.
"The development of human culture -- its refinement, storage, and transmission -- was woven into the fabric of old age," Thomas writes. He urges us to liberate elders in our society and return elderhood to its rightful position of respectability and utility. The percentage of Americans over the age of 65 today is three times that of 1900, but the elderly are routinely isolated from society in institutions. If the African proverb equating losing an elder with losing a library holds any grain of truth, this is the cultural equivalent of locking up all our libraries. Not only do we need to move beyond our society's overt ageism, Thomas argues, we need to learn from and value our elders, not disdain them.
-- Rose Miller

I know nothing of YES MAGAZINE, but this commentary on the article hit the mark!

OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT!

Ahh, what a cute picture. Ooh, what a terrible experience and taste at 40! There are times in life when I wish I possessed the ability to rewind my mind and mouth and not say the stupid and embarrassing thing that just escaped my lips. Recently, Pat Robertson said something before a national television audience that I'm sure he wished he could have rewinded. But alas, once a foolish word escapes, it is out there for all to see and hear over and over again. Pat blew it on this one and did not do a good job of representing Christ or His church. Unfortunately, I too have done the same thing many times, with the difference being, I have a much smaller audience.

I remember for instance the time I was praying over the children in our church before we released them to our Kids Church program and I slipped into "auto pilot" and asked God to "bless these wonderful children to our bodies!" I think I was hungry or tired or both, but you can only imagine the laughter that followed that rather pious prayer. This past Sunday, after talking about why I was taking a sabbatical and was in need of rest, I found myself second guessing so many of the things I had said. Truly, those who wish to teach others have no idea what they are asking for! Those who teach and preach the gospel are called to represent Jesus Christ in their speaking and will do so either accurately or not.

James the apostle reminds us of the power of the tongue in the following biblical text: James 3:2-6 - 2 We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. NLTAs you can see by these God breathed words, the tongue is a very powerful instrument, capable of doing great damage or good. I would like to end on a kind of funny note that I thought was appropriate to illustrate my point. I found this link at another fellow bloggers site and thought those of you with a sense of humor would appreciate it. Please don't let it offend you as it just shows that preachers especially are often the best at verbal faux paus! Remember, TRY TO KEEP YOUR FOOT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!

CLICK ON THE WORD "LINK" ABOVE TO SEE THE VIDEO 

ILLITERACY OF THE WORST KIND!

At the center of every great civilization in human history are certain cultural values which work to further advancement and bring coherence within those societies. One of the values that consistently shows up throughout time is the need to develop language, writing, reading and the subsequent education of the masses. The history of our own great land confirms this. We have come to see that those people who read, understand and act on their knowledge lead the rest of the world. In recent years as our own public educational system has continued to melt down and fall behind the rest of the world, many are sounding the alarm that the USA is quickly becoming an illiterate nation.

I too am concerned with the issue of illiteracy, but as a pastor I find myself even more concerned with an illiteracy that is far worse; BIBLICAL ILLITERACY! It is interesting and perhaps ironic that as our government institutions continue to push the Christian heritage of our nation further out into the margins of society that our citizenry and especially our church folk become less knowledgeable of the Bible. I regularly ask the people of our congregation about their own Bible reading habits and find myself saddened by the apathy and indifference displayed by some. So, here I am sounding this trumpet and calling all followers of Jesus to take up the sword of the Word of God once again!

This ladies and gentlemen is a nation that once educated its children with the Bible as its main textbook! Again, I am not concerned so much with unchurched people as I am with those who claim to be followers of the One we call "THE WORD." Is it any wonder we are losing the battle for the moral high ground within culture? How can the people of God offer solutions for the age we live in if we do not know what the Scriptures teach about the ills and problems of our times? If being relevant means being biblically illiterate and ignorant, then you can have relevance! Of course I know it is possible to be both relevant and Scriptural, for, the only time we are truly relevant is when we are biblical.

Please understand, I am not talking about some kind of Bible thumping, dry as toast verse quoter, but a people impassioned for Jesus Christ and hungry to know Him in the pages of THE BOOK. In a desire to help those of you who read this blog, I offer this Back to the Bible link to a site that offers a variety of Bible reading plans and translations. I have also included this particular site in my personal link section on "IllumiNations!". You can now go to my site, read the Bible and then come back and read my newest post. ;) The time for excuses is over. It is time to reclaim our minds and hearts by bathing them in the only document ever proven to transform individuals and civilizations. It is time to stamp out "ILLITERACY OF THE WORST KIND!"

FOXNews.com - Health - Disasters May Be Causing 'Compassion Fatigue'

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE STORY ON "COMPASSION FATIGUE."

JUDGMENT AND MERCY! God is an amazing person! He has the ability to simultaneously judge and demonstrate mercy at the same time! Hurricane Rita came ashore Friday night and Saturday morning causing widespread flooding and damage while reminding us again of the power of nature and nature's God. What was once a Category 5 hurricane was downgraded to a Category 1 by the time Rita made landfall. I see this as a wonderful demonstration of mercy on God's part as He heard the prayers of his people and showed His compassion and longsuffering.

To those who have lost their homes, cars, businesses and livelihoods, I offer my most sincere sympathies and prayers. I know it may be hard to see mercy in the devastation that surrounds you, but remember how bad it could have been. Remember Katrina! More importantly, remember God is present for you with His amazing grace and love. May you find Him in His people during this time. To those of us who are not in the Hurricane zone, but find ourselves feeling powerless, read this article link at FOX NEWS and beware of "COMPASSION FATIGUE." Remember, God is an unending source of grace and strength. When human compassion and effort wear out, God is just getting started!



Galatians 6:9-10 - 9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. 10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. NLT

PRAY! RITA IS COMING AND SHE'S MAD!

RITA IS COMING AND SHE'S MAD! I know this statement sounds a little funny, but I am not trying to be humorous at all. Hurricane Rita has been upgraded to a Category 5 with winds between 165-175 mph and she has the potential to do horrible damage to the Gulf coast of Texas by Friday night. Many of the people traumatized by Hurricane Katrina who were staying in Houston are now fleeing Rita as she makes her way toward Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Houston.

As believers in Jesus Christ, it is time to pray and ask our God to be merciful to all of us here in the USA. The discipline of God's rod is upon our land and His severity with us will be based upon our response to Him. Let us "Humble ourselves, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways and ask Him to heal our land!"

SCARING THE HELL OUT OF US!

(Photos from "THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE")
When I came to Christ 21 years ago, I was one of those people who had drunk so deep of the well of pop culture and sin that just about anything within these realms was considered anathema. I either burned or threw away all of my albums and tapes, I quit going to movies and I made an effort to separate from the world, the flesh and the devil. At that time in my life, most of what I did was probably necessary and healthy for me as I went through a sort of purification from my former way of life.

One of the things I regularly did during my B.C. days was watch horror movies. I went to the theatre and saw the first Halloween, Friday the 13th and many other movies in that particular genre. When Jesus Christ invaded my world, I knew that my horror movie days were over as I made an effort to think Philippians 4:8 thoughts and not open any door for Satan's influence in my life.

In recent years, some of my views about pop culture, the arts and music and movies in particular have "evolved." I have come to value the need for believers to engage the culture and not withdraw into our "Christian Ghettos" while waiting for Jesus to come back and rescue us from the big bad world and the antichrist!

I no longer just listen to "Christian music", watch "Christian movies" and wear "Christian t-shirts." I now believe in both "Christian artists", and "artists who are Christians." God made us to be creative and has put within us the ability to tell a good story and illustrate truth without mentioning Jesus in every other sentence. By the way, have you ever been perplexed at the idea that the Biblical Book of Esther, never mentions God one time? Anyway, I digress.

Recently, a movie called "THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE" has caused quite a stir inside of both the church world and pop culture. The director of this movie is a solid and sold out Christian who has used the horror genre to contrast the difference between good and evil and get us asking questions about the reality of the devil and of God. I don't agree with everything he says in this article in WORLD MAGAZINE, and I have not seen the film yet, but I do appreciate his desire to engage the culture and be a witness for Christ with his art form. I have already heard an example of this movie's impact on a young man from our congregation who had a dramatic encounter with God while watching it. Who knows, maybe God can use a horror movie to SCARE THE HELL OUT OF US for a change!

A NAME CHANGE!!!

I have changed the name of my BLOG! I know, some of you are thinking, "DOUG'S BLAH, BLAH, BLOG was so cool", but I felt I needed a cutting edge one word name like Jim Paul has at his blog ADVANCING! The tiltle "IllumiNATIONS" is a play on words as it captures the idea of bringing light to something and lighting up the nations. I know this little blog won't turn the world to Jesus, but I do have some who read from as far away as Korea and Nigeria. If you don't like the title, I don't want to hear it, but if you do, GUSH ALL OVER THE COMMENT SECTION! ;-0

John Piper - Who answers to Whom?

John Piper - Who answers to Whom?

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK TO READ THIS PROVOCATIVE ARTICLE

To listen to some people these days, you would think God is on trial and the evidence against Him is damning! To listen to the critics, this supposedly good God is going about causing destruction, pain, suffering and sorrow as all of us "innocent" human beings reel from His attacks. Who does He think He is, God or something? What did we ever do to deserve all the pain He is causing us?

As this article from John Piper so poignantly puts it, "Who answers to Whom"? Has God made us for His pleasure and purpose, or have we concocted Him within our minds to serve us, bless us and make us happy? Our response to national tragedies, personal trials and family tribulations will expose our true beliefs about God and ourselves.

GOD, THE CONSUMING FIRE!

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. CSB Hebrews 12:28-29

God

is a consuming fire! This attribute and metaphor of God captures something about Him that is both a wonderful promise and a terrible threat depending on who you are! This past weekend we saw a simple illustration of this truth as about 10 people in our church went through a wonderful time we call an ENCOUNTER RETREAT.

An ENCOUNTER RETREAT is a time of assessment, contrition, confession, symbolic action, empowerment and commissioning for people wanting to move on in their journey in Jesus Christ. The picture you see above is 10 envelopes stuffed with the shame-filled past lives of the people who zealously cast them into the flames. As this was done, we sang songs of adoration, thanksgiving and praise to the God who consumed our sin in the fires of the passion of Jesus Christ. As they burned, one of the elders in our church stirred the fire to ensure that there would be "Nothing large enough for anyone to take home with them!" After we did this simple exercise, I looked around at the faces of those who genuinely committed these secret sins to the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah Jesus and noticed a look of relief and contentment.

Moments like this make pastoring the greatest job in the world!

It is ironic to me that in a society which is trying so hard to maintain an attitude of denial about sin that people still experience such shame and pain as a result of their choices. It is also a wonderful thing to be reminded that the same good news that liberated people from sin and death 2000 years ago is working as powerfully now as it ever did. This same "Consuming Fire God" is working to purify us today and then fill us with a zeal and love that will be contagious to all who come into contact with us. Go ahead, cast yourself on His fires and let Him consume you in His passionate love!

USATODAY.com - Bush takes responsibility for 'serious problems' in response

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK TO READ THIS STORY

Today, our President, George W. Bush did something very few presidents ever do; HE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE! I know his critics will say, "It's not enough", but I say, BRAVO!" In this situation it is appropriate for him to do so and I much appreciate the effort made. He has demonstrated humility and a principle of leadership that is sometimes necessary. The buck stops with him and he must step up and eat whatever crow is put before him as long as it is crow that belongs to him. Good job Mr. President and may God bless and guide you!

World Magazine - Weekly News | Christian Views

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK TO READ

This article in WORLD MAGAZINE is an excellent take on Hurricane Katrina and the Government's response or lack thereof, depending on your political leanings. It is true that when a people look to their government to take care of them from the "cradle to the grave" they are setting themselves up for terrible disappointment. The current deification of the state in our time is dangerous to say the least and enslaving to millions at its worst. There is only one God and FEMA is not Him! May we build our house on the rock and not look to the false god's of our age which we have made in our image and likeness. THOSE god's WILL FAIL EVERYTIME!

REDEEMING KATRINA!

It is a shame that the beautiful name, "Katrina" has now become synonomous with such pain and destruction in this great land! The name, "Katrina" means, "pure and/or virginal" in the German language. There are many today that feel that Katrina was everything but "pure" as they deal with the filth and defilement that this violent "whore" of a storm has brought into their lives! I am hoping that through the outpouring of love, mercy and grace shown by people all across this nation, we can see the name "Katrina" redeemed.

Today, a woman from our area came into the place of my employment and related an amazing story of need and compassion. Our Governor has declared that about 2000 displaced people from Hurricane Katrina would be coming to the state of Washington and would be sheltered in various places. The woman that came to my office passed on a story she had just read about. A family living in a 900 square foot home had decided to open their home up to 25 displaced people from the storm ravaged area! I could hardly believe my ears! I know, many readers are probably thinking that this is a great example of foolishness, not compassion. However, I was amazed at the willingness demonstrated by this particular family. These people were willing to put their money, home, possessions, privacy, way of life and sanity where their mouth is!

I guess my point in all of this rambling is simply this; if more people step up and demonstrate compassion and kindness like this family has, we will see the name "Katrina" redeemed for many that have suffered such devastating loss. In the midst of chaos, a ray of light and order will be begin to shine into the hearts of people still traumatized by the winds and the waters of Katrina. This is the mission of those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. As early disciples in Rome risked imprisonment and sacrificed much to save babies left to die by the elements, so we may be called upon to sacrifice a little to save men, women and children from the lasting effects of an angry storm called "Katrina."

NPR : Defending the Katrina Aid Effort

NPR : Defending the Katrina Aid Effort

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK AND THEN LISTEN TO AUSTIN BAY GIVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE RELIEF EFFORTS SURROUNDING HURRICANE KATRINA.
As you know, many are calling for the President's head and are criticizing our Government's response to this disaster. I believe there were many mistakes made, but I appreciated this perspective as well. Have we come to expect too much in this country? Are we spoiled to believe we can do more than is humanly possible? This gentleman seems to think so.

New Orleans / 2005 Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans / 2005 Hurricane Katrina

CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK TO SEE AMAZING SATELLITE IMAGES OF NEW ORLEANS AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS BEFORE AND AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA.
This is amazing and sobering! May the church of Jesus arise and shine in this time!

Hurricane Weblog: Where Is God in the Chaos? - Christianity Today Magazine

Hurricane Weblog: Where Is God in the Chaos? - Christianity Today Magazine

This is an article I read from last week in the CHRISTIANITY TODAY BLOG. It is sad and disturbing. As Charles Dickens said in the opening of A TALE OF TWO CITIES, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

WHERE IS GOD IN ALL OF THIS?

Where is God in all of this? This question is as old as human history and no easier to answer now as it has ever been. As I have watched the television, surfed the web and looked at the images in newprint, I have been shocked, grieved, saddened and angry as many people all across this land and world have been. Hurricane Katrina has truly left a wide and deep wound upon the land and psyche of America, a wound which will take long to heal and will leave a lasting scar.

As a person of faith, specifically faith in Jesus Christ and His Word, I too have been asking God and searching the Bible to respond in a way that would honor the name of Christ. One question that regularly arises is, "Did God do this?" This is a very complex question, but one that is important to address. As a Christian, I embrace the teaching that God is sovereign in all of His creation. He knows when one sparrow falls to the earth and He knows what our needs and desires are before we even ask Him. The Bible teaches that God sets up leaders and brings them down and that Jesus is the Lord and Ruler of the nations of the earth whether those nations acknowledge Him or not.

With these things in mind, I must conclude that weather patterns, natural disasters and all the other destructive forces of nature are under His dominion and command as well. Now, the question is, "Does God cause or allow these kinds of things to happen to people?" Based upon my reading of the Bible and history, I would have to conclude that He does both. If God is sovereign as I have already stated, everything must pass through Him if He is truly the God of the Scriptures. This belief is both a great comfort to followers of Christ and a troubling concept to say the least. Why would a loving God allow such suffering and pain to take place? I don't know all of the reasons, but I do know that we exist by, through and for God and that He is both Love and Justice personified.

WHERE IS GOD IN ALL OF THIS? HE IS RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL! His call to us is to be "Right smack dab in the middle of it all as well!" As the church of Jesus Christ, we are commissioned to manifest the love, mercy and grace of God to all of those who are suffering and in need. I don't know all that He is up to, but I do know I must give, support, pray, and if necessary go to the people in need if my abilities or skills would be of service. In the weeks ahead, we may find refugees flooding our state as elsewhere, and the opportunity to open our hearts and homes may be pressed upon us. MAY WE RESPOND AS JESUS WOULD AND BE GOD'S HANDS AND FEET IN THE MIDST OF PAIN!