Vocations - Veterans Day

Whenever, Veterans' Day rolls around, I am reminded of vocations (callings in our lives) and how God works through all vocations.  A proper understanding of vocations helps remind me of how God works through the military of our country to do his work in the world, as well as other country's militaries.   know that some Christians oppose Christian involvement in any military.  I think they lack a proper understanding of vocations.  As an apologetic for the military being a vocation (calling) from God, and how Christians can faithfully serve in a military vocation, I have some quotes from Martin Luther on vocation.  They were taken from: http://trinitypartners.org/2010/07/04/luther-on-vocation/

"A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and office of his trade, and yet they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and every one by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all the members of the body serve one another…”
 
“What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God…We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow”


“Monastic vows rest on the false assumption that there is a special calling, a vocation, to which superior Christians are invited to observe the counsels of perfection while ordinary Christians fulfil only the commands; but there simply is no special religious vocation since the call of God comes to each at the common tasks.”

“The idea that the service to God should have only to do with a church altar, singing, reading, sacrifice, and the like is without doubt but the worst trick of the devil. How could the devil have led us more effectively astray than by the narrow conception that service to God takes place only in a church and by the works done therein…The whole world could abound with the services to the Lord, Gottesdienste – not only in churches but also in the home, kitchen, workshop, field”

God bless you Veterans this Veterans Day Weekend!

The Macho Man, Randy Savage, Stops The Rapture

Everyone knew that the rapture prediction for yesterday was wrong - at least they should have all known.  If you want to know what Jesus said about the end of of this age, I suggest reading Matthew 24.  The entire chapter is devoted to signs of the end of the age.  In verse 36 Jesus says, "No one knows about that day or hour, no even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  So if some guy named Harold Camping comes along claiming it's the end - it's not going to happen.

Harold had some sort of formula he claims he got from Scripture to get the May 21st date.  What he didn't count on was the Macho Man, Randy Savage, dying the day before.  I'm a firm believer that a lot of the stuff we do for fun in this life, will also be done for fun in heaven, as long as its not a sin, of course.  Maybe wrestling is a sin, but I don't think so.  Randy was so excited to be heaven (I'm not sure his religious beliefs, but let's just say he was so excited to be heaven), that the first thing he wanted to do with Jesus was have a wrestling match.  "Oh, yea!"  And incidentally, the Macho Man stopped the Rapture.  No one knows the time of Christ's return and no one can predict it. 

"Oh, Yea!  Slam into a Slim Jim!"

When to speak and who to speak to?

A couple of weeks ago a video was played in church of people being interviewed on the street answering the question about what they believe about God.  After the video was finished playing, our pastor mentioned that many of these people are the people we as Christians need to speaking to and need to be sharing the message of Christ and the love of Christ with.  It got me thinking...

Who do we need to be sharing our faith with on a day to day basis?

I know that in today's Christian culture and climate there has come the habit or teaching that we should share our faith with those we know or have relationship with and that in fact a good solid relationship should be built before sharing the faith at all. 

I've mentioned before on this blog that I go to UCI and hand out coffee for free to students and from there I share the Christian faith with them and reason with them about why I think it's true and why I am compelled to spend time out there speaking my faith with them (along with some other Christians, I don't do this alone).  In this scenario, we are giving something out for free that they want.   They usually ask why we are there and we can tell them because we are Christians and we want to share our faith with others or we have signs on the table that prompt Jesus centered conversation when they ask what they mean. 

But I was a little bit convicted from the video played at church!  The great commission as I've heard it translated actually says, "as you go" make disciples.  As we go!  That's anywhere in life. 

Should I be sharing Christ with the grocery store clerk, other bikers at red lights (since I bike for transportation a lot), my apartment neighbors, people who draw my blood from the Red Cross, people I pass shopping, etc.?  In the case of my grocery store clerk, I do have a relationship in a way, or at least I should... I shop at the same store and see the same clerks and managers every time. 

How would I begin?  What's the initial conversation starter?  Is this something Christians should be doing? 

Do we need to go door to door like the Mormons?  I do ride a bike after all.  :)

Thoughts?

St. Patrick's Day

 I received this today from our high school's executive director, a retired Lutheran pastor. Sorry for the horrible spacing!  It's how it copies into my blog from the email I received.  I can fix it and make it look good, but as soon as I post it goes back to normal. 

May we, like Patrick, be winsome witnesses for Jesus!

St. Patrick    

        St. Patrick was born in Scotland and was kidnapped and sold in Ireland as a slave. He became

        fluent in the Irish language before making his escape to the continent. Eventually he was ordained

        as a deacon, then priest and finally as a bishop. Pope Celestine then sent him back to Ireland to

        preach the Gospel.  As a missionary, he spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere he traveled,

        most importantly leaving the saving Gospel in every place he visited.  His Christian witness left an

        impression because of the many places in Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Ireland that are

        named after him.

Patrick is most known the world over for having driven the snakes from Ireland.  It is true that today there

are no snakes in Ireland.  Two interesting stories and legends lie behind this fact.

First, snakes (Gen. 3:1‑15) are a symbol of the devil in the Bible.  Different tales tell of Patrick's standing

upon a hill, using a wooden staff to drive the serpents into the sea, banishing them forever from the shores

of Ireland. One legend says that one old serpent resisted, but the saint overcame it by cunning. He is said

to have made a box and invited the reptile to enter. The snake insisted the box was too small and the

discussion became very heated. Finally the snake entered the box to prove he was right, whereupon St

Patrick slammed the lid and cast the box into the sea.  Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably

symbolic of putting an end to pagan practices in that country. While not the first to bring Christianity to

Ireland, it was Patrick who encountered the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites. He converted

the warrior chiefs and princes, baptizing them and thousands of their subjects in the Holy Wells which still

bear that name. According to tradition St. Patrick died in A.D. 493.

The second interesting thing to note about the absence of snakes in Ireland is related to the shamrock.

As in many old pagan religions serpent symbols were common, and possibly even worshiped.  The

Shamrock, at one time called the "Seamroy", symbolizes the cross and the Trinity. The well known legend

of the Shamrock connects it to St. Patrick and his teaching.  Preaching in the open air to crowds of people

‑‑ including children, he is said to have illustrated the existence of the Father‑Son‑and Holy Spirit by

plucking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his congregation. The legend of

the shamrock is also connected with that snakes are never seen on trefoil (shamrocks) and that shamrocks

are a remedy against the stings of snakes and scorpions ‑‑ just as our Lord, in the fullness of His holiness

(Father, Son, Holy Spirit) will always ward of the devil and His ways AND that our Lord is the only

effective treatment against sin, death, and the devil.

 How much of this is 100% true?
I don't know.  Who cares?  It all sounds great if it is.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Monty Python and The Swoon Theory

There are some strands of evidence for the resurrection of Christ which seem very compelling.  They are: the empty tomb, the post-crucifixion appearances of Christ, the transformation of the apostles, the conversion of Saul, the emergence of the early Christian church, and the switch from the last day of the week to the first day of the week for worship.

However, there are some natural explanations which have been hypothesized as alternative possibilities for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  One of these natural explanations is the "Swoon Theory".  The "Swoon Theory" suggests that Jesus Christ didn't die on the cross!  He survived the crucifixion, which is how he was seen three days later by the disciples!

However, I think the following "Spamalot" video clip can help illustrate how this isn't very plausible.  In the clip, it shows a cart being pulled around town collecting those who have died from the Bubonic Plague.  Clearly, the guy pulling the cart can tell if someone is dead or not, and if they're not yet dead, they don't go on the cart.  The same applies with criminals on the cross!  The executioners can tell if they are dead or not!  And if they're not dead yet, they don't get off the cross, and they certainly don't get buried into tombs.

Now for Jesus of Nazareth, I don't expect, even if he wasn't quite not dead yet, he wouldn't have been able to dance around like the fellow in Spamalot.  He wouldn't have taken the flogging and the beating and the crucifixion and three days being buried without food and water to somehow roll away a giant rock by himself and parade around in such a state that people will go - "Dang, he rose from the dead and he can raise me from the dead too!" Even if he could do all those things, he'd need to see a doctor.  He wouldn't be fooling anyone!  What do you think?

                       

"Double Tap" Rule and the Swoon Theory

There are some strands of evidence for the resurrection of Christ which seem very compelling.  They are: the empty tomb, the post-crucifixion appearances of Christ, the transformation of the apostles, the conversion of Saul, the emergence of the early Christian church, and the switch from the last day of the week to the first day of the week for worship.

However, there are some natural explanations which have been hypothesized as alternative possibilities for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  One of these natural explanations is the "Swoon Theory".  The "Swoon Theory" suggests that Jesus Christ didn't die on the cross!  He survived the crucifixion, which is how he was seen three days later by the disciples!

In my high school apologetics class, we were discussing these natural explanations for the evidence we have and concerning the "Swoon Theory" a student made a reference to the movie, Zombieland.  The survivor of the zombie apocalypse pictured in Zombieland, survived by following a list of rules.  One of these rules is the "Double Tap" rule.  If you think a zombie is dead, shoot it again to be sure!  It's better to waste the ammo than to potentially become a zombie happy meal.

How does this relate to the "Swoon Theory"?

The Romans made sure someone was dead if they executed them!  In the Gospels' accounts of the crucifixion, the executioners did a "Double Tap" on Jesus.  He was dead, but to be sure they plunged a spear into his side, into his heart!  He was dead.  The "Swoon Theory" doesn't work.

Click to get a copy of Zombieland!

A great read for Easter, which is coming up soon in April.

                          

The Use of Technology and Christ #1

February's issue of Lutheran Witness, focuses on the effects and uses of technology in the life of the individual Christian and with the Church.  I think examining technology like this can aid Christian apologetics.  Apologetics after all in its root means, defense.  Does the use of technology potentially lead us away from Christ?  Does it distract from the central teachings of the Bible?  If the answer is yest to any of these questions, then we'll need to provide a defense for the faith in these areas.  An article by Rev. Derek Roberts, associate pastor of First Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tenn.,  provided "A Technology Litmus Test":

1. Does the new medium help convey the message or does it become the message, meaning, can the employment of the new technology overshadow or compromise the truth and mystery of Christ and the biblical Gospel, or does it further the Gospel message?

2. Is there a biblical or churchly reason to do something though new and different means?

3. How will specific populations such as the aged in the church respond to the new medium?  Will it exclude or offend anyone, or will it enhance worship?

4. What is the total cost, and should those funds be distributed to a more worthy mission?

5. What kind of staff or volunteer help will this technology require?

What do you think?  Is this a good "litmus test"?  How would you answer these questions the way you have seen technology used in the individual life of Christians and within the Church?

The Most Redeeming Films of 2010

 Here's a list of the most redeeming films of 2010 according to the critics of Christianity Today.  To see this article on their website click here.  If you click on the links in their article for each movie, you will be directed to a page for that specific movie.  Maybe if these critics are correct, that these movies contain stories of redemption, they can be peppered into the religious conversations Christians have with others.  Jesus taught in parables; he told stories to express his teachings of his relationship to the Father, to us, to the world, to the kingdom of God, etc.  Maybe we can use modern day stories that contain redemption elements in a similar fashion. 

The Most Redeeming Films of 2010
For the third straight year, a Pixar flick tops our list.
posted 2/04/2011

Our film critics are not on Pixar's payroll. Nor are they getting any under-the-table perks from the animation studio. There's a much less sinister reason that a Pixar movie—in this case, Toy Story 3—tops our Most Redeeming Films list for the third consecutive year: We think their movies rock.

It's not just the astonishingly good animation. It's the phenomenal storytelling, the depth of character development, the keen insight into the human condition—even from the perspective of plastic playthings. One of our critics confesses that he cried at the end of TS3 all three times he watched it—and will likely do so the next three times. That's what Pixar films do to us.

As for what makes Woody and Buzz's final adventure so redeeming, there's plenty: The usual themes of love and loyalty run loud and clear. Toys though they may be, the friends are willing to risk their lives for one another. And their owner, Andy, now college-bound, isn't about to relegate his old playtime buddies to a box in the attic, never to be played with again—or at least for decades. Instead, he takes a selfless step in the end, giving Woody and Buzz and the rest a new lease on life—a rebirth, so to speak. It's no surprise that many of the creative types at Pixar are Christians, as they churn out soul-stirring stories year after year. (For the record, Up topped our Most Redeeming list in 2009, as did Wall-E in 2008.)

Our Most Redeeming Films of 2010 list below is precisely that—the year's best movies that include stories of redemption. Several of the films feature characters who are redeemers themselves; all have characters who experience redemption to some degree. Some are feel-good flicks; others, a little less so. Several of the films are rated R and PG-13 and are not intended for young viewers, so please use discretion. But in all of these films, redemption is certainly one of the main characters.

The Most Redeeming Films of 2010

1. Toy Story 3

Directed by Lee Unkrich
(Disney / Pixar) | Rated G

2. The King's Speech

Directed by Tom Hooper
(Weinstein) | Rated R

3. Get Low

Directed by Aaron Schneider
(Sony Pictures Classics) | Rated PG-13

4. True Grit

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
(Paramount) | Rated PG-13

5. Winter's Bone

Directed by Debra Granik
(Roadside Attractions) | Rated R

6. Despicable Me

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
(Universal) | Rated PG

7. Tangled

Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard
(Disney) | Rated PG

8. The Fighter

Directed by David O. Russell
(Paramount) | Rated R

9. Letters to Father Jacob

Directed by Klaus Härö
(Olive Films) | Not Rated

10. Like Dandelion Dust

Directed by Jon Gunn
(Blue Collar Releasing) | Rated PG-13

Growing in God Apologetic

I do believe that one of the greatest defenses for the Christian faith, one of the best ways for Christians to prepare to be ready to defend the faith is by growing spiritually and maturing in Christ.  This growth comes through worship!

The following is a high school devotion which my wife shared with me today: 

Laugh Out Loud
And nine other ways to worship all summer long.
by Chris Lutes

1) Help and serve others. Play ball with the neighbor kid. Help out with your church's summer VBS or a neighborhood Bible club. Mow an elderly neighbor's lawn for free. And whenever possible, do your serving in secret so that God gets the glory (1 Peter 4:11). Just look around you and you're sure to discover simple, everyday ways to worship through serving others.

2) Sit down in your yard with your Bible and pick a blade of grass. Turn to Isaiah 40:7-8, which says: "The grass withers and the flowers fall. … Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever" (NIV). Read the passage a few times, then think about what it means to you. Use the blade of grass to bookmark the passage. Read the passage periodically throughout the summer, watching as the blade of grass withers.

3) Take a walk in a park or forest with a friend. Look around at all of the things God has created. Take turns pointing out how God's creation gives you glimpses into his character and nature. For example: "God is like this oak tree because he's sturdy and strong."

4) Take pictures on your family vacation that remind you of your Creator and his awesome creation. Place these pictures on your blog or in a scrapbook, and label each one with a passage that fits the picture. Throughout the summer, look at the pictures and praise God for the beauty of creation he showed you during your vacation. Here are some passages to get you started: Genesis 1:11-12, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 29:3, Psalm 65:9, Psalm 84:3, Psalm 93:3-4, Psalm 96:11-12, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 98:8, Psalm 104:7-8, Psalm 104:10-11, Psalm 104:12, Psalm 104:20, Psalm 104:25, Psalm 147:4, Psalm 148:3, Psalm 148:7, Romans 8:19, Colossians 3:16.

5) Toss a rock into a lake on a still, windless day. Watch the ripples roll outward. Try to count them. Now think about God's love. How is it like those ripples? How can you be a "ripple of God's love" today?

6) Laugh. Whether you're at an amusement park, forest preserve, city park, miniature golf course or the beach, listen for joyous laughter. Each time you hear someone laugh, take a moment to silently thank God for the gift of laughter. And be sure to celebrate by laughing often just like the writer of Psalm 126:2.

7) Find a quiet place to watch the sunset. As you watch the sun sink beneath the horizon, sit very still and think about your day. Recall the good and the bad moments. Thank God for being with you throughout everything that happened that day. Thank God for being present with you during these quiet moments.

8) Thank God and praise him for the ability to run, throw, kick, swim—or whatever it is you do to work out or participate in a summer sport. Try to stay aware of his presence with you each time you play or exercise.

9) Start each day of your summer job right with this verse: "Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23, NLV). Memorize this verse and then recite it before you begin your shift, repeating it during times of frustration, and repeat it again at that end of your shift.

10) Plan small group worship services around a backyard fire pit. Sing praise songs, read Scripture, pray and share stories about Christ working in your life. This is a great and informal way to keep your Christian friendships tight, even if your youth group doesn't meet during the summer.

This devotion comes from Christianity Today.

Aaron Rodgers and Christ

 I received this from our campus pastor at Crean Lutheran High School.  I have no idea where he copied this from, but I thought it'd be nice to post to the blog this week (for obvious reasons), even though it is not necessarily apologetics related.  The quote at the end by Saint Francis of Assisi could be apologetics related. And for the record, I root generally root for defense, so I am in full support of the Steelers because Troy Polamalu is a favorite player of mine, if I had to pick one (I don't really follow football). 

Ed and Darla Rodgers raised their kids in a Christian home. Their life in Chico, California was centered around church, family, and sports. Ed, a local chiropractor, credits his wife for helping to raise their three sons in a proper way. “My boys are humble,” he said to a local paper, “and that’s what makes us most proud.”

 This Sunday, middle son, Aaron, will be on display with that humility, as he leads the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Green Bay lockerroom, coaches and teammates know all about Aaron Rodgers leadership and quarterback skills. His arm strength has been described as “ridiculous.” His uncanny ability to find receivers and get the ball to them has made him the NFL all time career leader in passer rating at 98.4. But they also see the character that was developed at an early age.

“I grew up knowing what a stable relationship was by my parents example, and how it centered on Christ,” Rodgers says. “When our family had its ups and downs, I knew my parents relied on God for everything, and he always got us through the rough spots.” Until he was 17, Aaron says he went to church because his parents went to church. But about this time, he began to make some choices with his buddies that he knew were not right. It was then he rededicated his life to the Lord. “Ever since then,” he says, “I fall on my face and get back up, get on my knees and confess, and keep on trying to live for Jesus.”

This would also describe his play. No one can question his toughness. After two concussions this year, Rodgers came back to lead the Packers to their first NFC championship since 1998. It hasn’t been an easy road for Rodgers. After three years as a backup quarterback, he was called on to take the place of the legendary Brett Favre, who had been the starting QB for the Pack since 1992. His steady play was largely overshadowed by Favre’s “unretirement” and subsequent trade to the New York Jets.

Rodgers is used to being overlooked. After a fine high school career at Pleasant Valley High School, in Chico, he got exactly one Division 1 offer, and decided, instead, to go 30 miles down the road and play for Butte Community College in Oroville, CA, Here he led the the team to a 10-1 record and a #2 national ranking. After one year, he signed to play for the University of California, leading them to a #5 national ranking in 2004. In the 2005 NFL draft, the Packers made him their #1 pick overall.

As a Christian, Aaron is a solid individual, but as one teammate said, “He will not stand on the bleachers and shout.” In fact, Aaron often quotes St. Francis of Assisi, who said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” He often quotes his favorite Bible passage of Psalm 91:1-2. It reads “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” 

He may need that and more this Sunday night as he faces the onslaught of Troy Polamalu and the Steeler defense. But when it is all said and done, and the Lombardi trophy, named after the former Green Bay coach, is handed out to someone, Aaron Rodgers will walk away exemplifying the example of both his earthly and his heavenly Father. “I try to live my life in a way that reflects the Lord, he says. “I use that as a model as I relate to my friends and family, my teammates and coaches. I want them to see that I really love and care for them as individuals. I try to build relationships. I feel if you are not personally invested in the people you spend every day with, then you are missing out on building a relationship and wonderful life experiences. This is what I like about Jesus. Jesus is about relationships.” And you can be sure that somewhere in that massive stadium on Sunday night, Ed and Darla, and Luke and Jordan Rodgers will be proud of Aaron not just for what he does, but for who he is.

Penn and the Bible

Warning - There is vulgar language in the following video. 

The reason I posted this video is to show how extremely against the Bible Penn is. 

Now that you see how strongly Penn opposes the Bible, now watch this video. 

Here's the main section of the video that really hit home to me.

 

If you truly believe that Jesus is God, that he died for the sins of the world, and that he rose from the dead, for the salvation of all mankind, that his works beat sin, death, and the devil, then how much must you hate a person to not want to share that news with him or her?  Powerful words from an atheist indeed.  I certainly share this with others after having seen this video.  Whenever, I share my Christian faith now, I usually mention that because I believe this to be true, I am compelled to share it.

I think sometimes we avoid sharing it because of our own pride.  We don't want people to hate us.  It's not that we just don't want to make others socially awkward, we don't want to be socially awkward ourselves.  It comes down to a fear of man problem.  Penn certainly brings it home!  If you truly believe that there is a heaven and a hell, you must share that with others!  How could you not? 

Karma and God? ... And LeBron James?

I pulled the following from a Yahoo! Sports' blog called, "Ball Don't Lie":

LeBron James, Mixing Karma with God

LeBron [James] apparently doesn't feel much sympathy for his old team in these troublesome times. In the closing minutes of the Cavs game, with the only issue left to determine being whether or not the Lakers would double-up the Cavs, Cleveland's former savior Tweeted about karma, hate, and divine retribution. Here is what he said:

Crazy. Karma is a b****.. Gets you every time. Its not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!

I think it's very  interesting how Karma is thrown around so much today in society.  

Sharon Stone claimed that Karma was the reason that the Sichuan earthquake happened.  She claimed that China was getting what they deserved for atrocities and human rights that had occurred and still continue to occur within the country.

What disturbs me more is the mixing of Karma, initially a solely Hindu belief, with other religions. 

  

Jason Lee, Scientologist

One example of this comes from, What About Earl, a television show completely centered a dude trying to shake the chains of bad, Karma.  The actor who plays Earl, Jason Lee, is a scientologist.   This of course wouldn't necessarily mean that there is a mixing of religions, since he is in fact just an actor and the character he plays wouldn't necessarily have to represent his own personal beliefs.  However, I know if I was playing a character in a show about Karma, I would make clear statements that I don't belief in the idea of Karma, and in fact, I'd have to pass on such an ongoing role if I was an actor, because it would conflict with my Christian beliefs and I wouldn't want to lead others astray.  

LeBron, in this quote, is clearly mixing religions.  I read online that he is Roman Catholic, so why is he referring to Karma?  Why are we mixing religions?  Is this just another sign of religious pluralism running a muck?

I think what disturbs me most about this quote from LeBron is the clear evidence of watering down religion.  Because of religious pluralism the fundamental teachings and beliefs of each religion has been hacked down to bits, to the point that universalism is possible.  Terms such as Karma have been ripped from their religious meaning and origin.  Karma now is strictly, people getting what they deserve, "what goes around, comes around."  Karma no longer rests as a key piece to a more complex system of Hindu theology. 

Frankly, it makes me sick and I want to puke (not literally, not yet).