God's "NO!"

A poster on Presbyweb wrote of the conflict in the Presbyterian Church, USA, regarding the ordination and marriage of avowed, practicing homosexuals. In discussing the determination of liberals to affirm gay marriage, gay ordination, etc., he writes:

"I think particularly of those who claim that God created and blesses same-sex sexual love, and [who say] that we need to “catch up” to where God already is. The Gods of Mormonism and Islam (yes, you heard me right, even Islam) stand closer to the God of the Bible than this god, who is much more like the Gnostic god that was rejected by the early church."

There is an unquestioned arrogance on the liberal side of these issues. They are willing to tear down the PCUSA to accomplish their goal: total approval of the gay lifestyle. Their behavior is unbelieveable, as if the Bible does not matter, or the Scripture can be interpreted anyway they wish if it will lead to approval of the gay lifestyle.

What is it, do you suppose, that the liberals don't understand about God's "NO!"

Blessing and Curse

I was reading in Numbers and Deuteronomy this morning and was caught up in the continuing cycle of blessings and curses that were consistently occuring in the life of the Israelites. Deut. 11:26 - "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse...the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God...." That got me to thinking about my last congregation -- how whenever we were faithful to the mission God had given us on the hills of north Atanta, we were wonderfully blessed. Whenever we were not so faithful, but followed our own agendas, the blessings were scarce. I think that's true with any local or national church, all individuals -- follow God's leading and commandments and receive the blessings. Fail to do so and the blessings cease. Then comes the call to repentance, confession and renewed commitment to God's leading. As James reminds us that there is wisdom from above and there is earthly wisdon. Follow the former for the blessing. Follow the latter for ... well, you know. It's always been that way and always will be. Choices, choices...!

The 'E' Word

It is interesting and hopeful to note the NEW emphasis on evangelism that is prominent on most PCUSA churches’ websites, on the denomination’s website and on personal blogs dotting the net landscape.

It’s interesting because for decades the denomination talked a good bit about the E word, but did little or nothing to pursue the call to introduce non-believers to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The new emphasis on evangelism, mission and new church development only appeared when the money at the higher judicatories began to dry up and the membership numbers of the denomination began to plummet. (We’ve lost more than 2,000,000 members in the last few decades!)

While many local churches stayed faithful to the primary call of the church (evangelism), the national church talked evangelism but never walked the talk. Social action was the by-word of the denomination. (I’m for social action! My 45 years in ministry, my congregations will attest, always called my various parishes to address the needs of the poor, the outcast, and the injustice suffered by many. I didn’t march in the streets of Mississippi in the racially torn sixties for my health!)

When local churches began to withhold contributions to the national church and membership numbers began to fall off the cliff, slowly but surely the national leaders began to pay attention.

But the real evangelism is being pursued at the local levels, not at the higher courts of the denomination. Though national leaders now speak often of evangelism and missional objectives, they continue to push many radical social agendas (gay ordination, gay marriage, abortion, anti-military, etc.) which will continue to impact the ‘giving’ from local churches and will continue to contribute to declining membership numbers.

But the renewed focus on evangelism in the local churches is wonderfully encouraging. The denomination may not survive for more than a few more decades, but the vibrant local churches centered on Christ will be blessed.

The Bible in 90 Days

In my nearly 45 years as an ordained Presbyterian minister, I read all of the Bible at one time or the other, different portions of Scripture at different times. But I do not recall reading the Bible from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation, without skipping. Oh, I started that discipline many times, but as I recall, I never completed reading the entire Bible from cover to cover in a specified time frame.

Last Fall Helen joined Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho. We worship there together most Sundays when we are in the Boise/Nampa area as we usually are August 1 until January 1 (this year we may stay longer than January 1). Covenant is a wonderful congregation, full of loving, gracious people, a testimony to their faithful discipleship and to their outstanding pastor/preacher, Phil Moran, and his wife, Charla.

Recently Covenant introduced a reading program called “The Bible in Ninety Days”. The program consists, not only of reading the Bible every day for 90 days (and thus completing reading the Bible from cover to cover); there are also discussion classes and videos to undergird the program. The leadership of Covenant Presbyterian is asking each member to seriously consider 'Reading The Bible in 90 Days'. You do not have to attend a class to participate in this program.

Helen and I signed up for ‘The Bible in 90 Days’ and began last week our reading the Bible from cover to cover in the three month period. There is a printed schedule to guide you in completing the reading. Usually you are required to read about 12 chapters a day. Helen reads her chapters at various times of the day because she is usually helping with the grandchildren at odd hours. I am usually reading my 12 chapters in the evening, though I did read mine this afternoon while waiting for a friend to come visit.

The bottom line of this musing is this: though I have read the Bible for decades, studied it in schools and in preparation for sermons and Bible studies I led, I’ve discovered a new joy and inspiration from reading daily right through the Bible. I’m seeing stories I don’t remember. I'm seeing characters I don’t remember. I’m reading chronologies I don’t recall. Best of all, I am hearing God speak through his Word in a new and fresh way. And I’m understanding ‘stuff’ I did not understand before, or had not stopped long enough to consider.

So, I’m encouraging you to check it out. You can begin the reading any day, even today! Use any translation you wish, though it is recommended that you use the NIV. I do believe you will be blessed as I and Helen are being blessed. Here’s the link: www.biblein90days.org

In the Middle of a Field, and ...

He is 78 years of age. He lives in a Montana 5th wheel RV across the street from us at Ambassador RV Resort. We've never spoken, though we've waved hello many times durin the month of August that we've been parked at Ambassador RV Resort. Today, in late afternoon, he walked over and introduced himself to me. In the course of a two hour conversation, he told me of his conversion experience.

He was nine years old and plowing his father's many acres, preparing the field for a crop of corn. Nine, and plowing with a big John Deere tractor! In the middle of the field, for reasons he cannot now recall, he stopped the tractor, kneeled down between rows and gave his heart to Jesus. He said, "I asked Jesus to come into my heart and I gave Jesus my life."

Later he said, "Denominations don't matter to me. Jesus Christ is all that matters." Thanks be to God for what he did in Eddie's life. He's going through some tough times right now, so I ask for prayers for Eddie, my new friend.

AND, there is Don, a friend down our row in a 5th wheel who nursed his wife for seven years with Hodgens Disease, refusing to put her in a nursing home and cared for her 24/7 for those seven years. Now that she's gone, he is terribly lonely and fighting depression. So, I ask for prayers for Don, also.