Who's Your Daddy - part 2

Luke 7:35 "Wisdom is proved bright by all her children."

So - let's look into this a little more deeply. Why are the children of evolution so ugly? Darwin, in his support of natural selection and survival of the fittest, put a very low value on the outcasts and ''maimed" of society. This in turn causes the followers of his theory to place that same low value on these 'weak animals' (his words). When you can place a low value on a human being, you can dismiss them. When you can dismiss them, you can eliminate them with a clear conscience.

Also, the nature of evolution is that man is basically an animal that must survive on its own strength and when it dies, it returns to the dust. There is an inherent hopelessness in this mindset.

So, the combination of the devaluation of human life and the hopelessness that results from evolution, will necessarily lead to the place that we find ourselves at: abortion rates are sky high, depression is rampant, leading to suicidal thoughts (and actions) and drug use has permeated our society. Students, who have been taught this from kindergarten, feel a sense of isolation and hopelessness, therefore bullying and school violence are escalating. Why not? It's survival of the fittest! I don't matter and neither does he!

These are the children of Darwin. They are ugly and they are mean. An unborn baby, the weakest and most helpless (and most useless) of all creations, can be aborted without a thought. The 'lesser' races can starve to death in Africa without a hand reaching across the ocean to lift them up. The weak elderly can be placed in nursing homes around the country and then left to die without a visit. Why? Because they offer nothing to society.

I love the words of Psalm 41. "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness."

Also, from Psalm 68: "Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds his name is the LORD—and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing"

We do matter. Each and everyone of God's creation matters. This is the message we must get out. First, we must believe it. We must see every single person we come across as a valuable, worthwhile creation of God. Then we must convince them of this fact. We must be the hand and heart of God reaching out to the masses who have been taught since childhood that life means nothing and that they are essentially worthless.

I know that the humanist system tries to teach them otherwise, about tolerance and valuing each other, but the problem is that all their 'teachings' fly in the face of all of their teachings. I know, I've been in the public schools. I've witnessed firsthand the contradictions of being told that they are glorified animals in science and valuable members of society in the their sociology class. These kids are a mess. And don't forget, according to Ecclesiastes 3:11 states: "He has set eternity in the hearts of men."

So there these people sit - with eternity beating in their hearts, telling them that there is something more, yet their 'system' is also beating upon their hearts, telling that there is nothing else and it's mere survival of the fittest. We must love the unlovable and show them that God loves them and died for them and desires an intimate relationship with them. We must beat back the ugly children of evolution and bring them to their true Father.

The hideous children of Darwin must die.

Who's Your Daddy?

There is something to be said for the origin of your belief system, the mindset of your "Founding Father." We, as Americans, love to go back to Washington, Jefferson, Adams, etc to show what an idealistic nation we are - because we were borne out of men who were idealistic.

Jesus Himself said this:

"But wisdom is proved right by all her children." (Luke 7:35)

With that in mind, let's take a look at the word of the founding fathers of the two key belief systems in the US:

1. Charles Darwin

The full title of Darwin's Magnum Opus is Origin of the Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of the Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

"With savages, the weak in body and mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilised men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed and the sick; we institute poor laws; and our medical men exert their utmost skill to save the life of everyone to the last moment. There is reason to believe that vaccination has preserved thousands who, from a weak constitution, would formerly have succumbed to smallpox. Thus the weak members of civilised society propagate their kind.

No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this must be highly injurious to the race of man. It is surprising how soon a want of care, or care wrongly directed, leads to the degeneration of a domestic race; but, excepting in the case of man himself, hardly anyone is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed.

The aid which we feel impelled to give to the helpless is mainly an incidental result of the instinct of sympathy, which was originally acquired as part of the social instincts, but subsequently rendered in the manner previously indicated more tender and more widely diffused. Nor can we check our sympathy, even without deterioration in the noblest part of our nature ... We must, therefore, bear the undoubtedly bad effects of the weak surviving and propagating their kind.

(Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, 2nd Ed., pp. 133–134, 1887)

2. Jesus Christ

Now read the words of the Founding Father of Christianity. I hate to trivialize Jesus like that, but just for the sake of comparison,let's hear what He has to say:

"I have not come for the healthy, but for the sick."

"Love your neighbor as yourself"

"A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not snuff out."

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I could go on and on, but I think the point is made. Our Father has regard for the weak while the father of evolution wanted them systematically eliminated.

Ugly fathers produce ugly children. The children of evolution are hopelessness, drug addiction, suicide, depression, abortion, euthanasia, bullying, school shootings, terrorism, etc. Why? Because evolution is an ugly father.

The children of God, the true children (because I know that there are many false disciples seeking their own gain), are compassionate arms reaching into nursing homes, poor countries, hospitals, prisons, etc. Why? Because a beautiful father produces beautiful children.

As Christ said in Luke 7:35 - the children of any belief system reveal the eternal wisdom of that system.

So - who's your daddy?

Think!

Last night I was bringing Luke to his Little League practice and I was hoping that he could really shine, that even though he's only 9 years old, maybe he could rise and prove to the older kids and the coaches how good he is. The only thing that was on my mind was that he do great (and maybe in the process show how great I am?).

Then, as he got out of the truck, he stepped right in front of a moving car. I could see the whole thing happen but it was too quick for me to do anything about it. Thankfully, the lady driving was able to stop just in time. My heart was in my throat as I watched my beautiful boy continue on to the playing field like nothing happened.

Funny thing, after that I just sat there and watched him practice - making some nice plays, missing a few grounders, and all I could think about was how thankful I was that I could watch my boy play. That moment of terror knocked the trivial out of me. And designs on human greatness, is trivial.

I was reminded of a word God gave me a couple of years ago: I could spend my life "impressing the world" or "impressing the Word." One is limited, the other eternal. I am thankful for this re-reminder that He gave me last night. It's really refreshing for your mind to have the cobwebs of humanity wiped out once in awhile.

I know this sounds corny and cliche-ish, but maybe for just a few moments today, step back and thank God for everyone in your life and the blessings you get to experience on a regular basis. The little things, like Little League practice, are really amazing when you think about it.

The Christian and Politics - The Moral High Ground

Matthew 16:17 "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven."

Upon Peter's great confession that Jesus was the Christ in Matthew 16, Jesus made sure that he understood that God had given him this insight. Peter did not come from man - which includes himself . He did not conjure up this great revelation because he was so intelligent and discerning. Truth must come from the Spirit of Truth - from God.

One of the problems in politics is that everyone, especially Christians, feel that they are the only ones standing on the moral high ground. But if you think about it, this isn't the issue. Of course we should think we are standing on the high ground - or else why would we be standing there? I hope that we're sensitive enough to move to the place that we think is actually right in this world. Hey, if I don't think I'm right, I'm going to find what I think is right and align myself with that. I trust that nobody is defending a hill that they know to be faulty.

The problem isn't where we're standing. It's how we're standing and why we think we're there. We only know the truths because God has revealed them, so there is never a time for being judgmental and self-righteous. I have no problem with people taking stands on issues or getting involved in issues that are dear to their hearts. I am concerned with the attitude - one that claims moral superiority for standing on that high ground. If you think about it, you have nothing to do with that standing. God has revealed it to you.

Christ made it very clear to Peter - you were told this by the Spirit. When you gain some great spiritual insight, and I hope you are constantly gaining them, never begin the process of elevating yourself and becoming a hyper-critical voice for the 'right.' A true understanding will draw you to your knees as you realize everything you know of value comes from Him. Every perfect gift comes from above. Right beliefs are perfect gifts from God.

So, as we begin the discussion on the Christian and politics, let's first remember that any great position you have 'found' - if it is right - you have not really found it, God has given it to you.

Oh Brother

Genesis 50:17 "When their message came to him, Joseph wept."

What was the message that came to Joseph that made him weep? It was a letter from his brothers. Their father, Jacob, had just died and they now thought that this would cause Joseph to reneg on his promise of forgiveness and peace. Jacob was their covering, so at least they thought. They didn't trust the full forgiveness that Joseph had given them, so they sent a message saying basically that "Dad said before he died that you have to keep forgiving us. You can't take it back." When he received this message - he wept.

Joseph wept because his brothers didn't understand the fullness, the absolute completeness, of his forgiveness. How could they think that it was only a temporary hand that he held out to them on that beautiful day of reconciliation? It devastated him to think that they were living under this fear and doubt. What good is my forgiveness if they are still living under their own self-imposed condemnation?

In Luke 15, the prodigal's father was distressed because his eldest son did not understand that everything was already his in the first place. He could have a fattened calf whenever he wanted! How could my son be living with these thoughts in his head? What good is it if he has my riches at his disposal but he lives under a mindset of fear and jealousy?

I am the brother of Joseph. The brother who doesn't understand the fullness of what has already been given to me. The brother who has been completely forgiven and restored but still wonders if it's real. The brother who wonders if there are conditions and coverings that can be removed and I am back in my unforgiven, miserable state.

I am the brother of the prodigal. The brother who, through Christ, owns the 'cattle on a thousand hills' but still gets angry when the fattened calf is killed for someone else. The brother who calls working for my father "slaving in the fields." The brother who doesn't understand that the riches of the Father are at my disposal at all times.

Luke 15:31 "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours!" Present tense riches.

According to Colossians 2:9, the fullness of God is within Christ, and the fullness of Christ is within me. Everything that comes with Him is in the believer - waiting to be fully formed. How He must weep, like Joseph, at our inability to grasp the fullness of His redemption and our lame attempts to write 'letters' to make Him keep His promise, instead of simply believing. "My brothers, do not live like you have a guillotine hanging over your head! My redemption is full and free - there is no condemnation on you if you believe this! It is not conditional and it is eternal."

How often we confuse eternal life with a temporary restraining order.

How anguished He must be at our anger over fellow brothers who receive a portion of what we already have in abundance! "My son, everything I have is already yours! Eat, drink, be filled with Me! There are riches enough to go around. The immeasurable and inexhaustible riches of Christ! Embrace your lost brother without fear of losing what you have! What good is a party of one anyway?"

How often we confuse the abundant life with a temporary filling.

Please - let's live in what we already have and no longer doubt. Victory is only gained when we take a step of faith and take Him at His Word believing that we are eternally free and filled. Only then can we truly move forward. Everything else is a step back.

The Value of Remaining

I have to admit that some of my closest and most precious times with God are the moments when I've come back to Him after a time in the mud. The tears, the repentance, the open arms - it's a wonderful feeling. There is something deep and special in reconciliations.

But . . .the prodigal son should not have left. He had a wonderful, tearful reunion with his father, but he lost even more by leaving in the first place. Don't ever forget that. The brothers of Joseph had an unbelievable moment with him in that court in Egypt, but they never should have sold him out years before. Those are all lost years of a growing relationship.

We gain continually by constantly abiding with God and in Christ. Although His grace is wonderful to the backslider - you only regain upon your return. Many Christians are in a constant state of regaining what they backed away from.

The 'return trip' is always less than the 'stay.' Kept is better than coming back. Here's a great verse to meditate upon:

Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!"

Think about this: He reconciled us to Himself while we were dead in our sins. While we went prodigal on Him - He died for us, and what a wonderful reunion. However if we remain in Him, how much more will we gain through the life of Christ? Growing instead of regrouping.

Shoot for the 'much more' instead of the constant state of sorry.

One Way Street

Here's a tip for anyone reading this that is thinking about getting into the ministry: Your involvement in the lives of others is most often a one-way street.

I don't want the following to sound bitter or negative, because I don't mean it that way. But I've been hurt and it took me to recognize this fact so I could actually be a more effective minister.

At the Christian school I work, I sometimes hear of kids not coming back the next year, kids from very demanding families. These families always insist that we give 100% devotion to their needs, to their children. And we do. But on a moment's notice, they leave us. It's a difficult lesson that hits hard - the devotion goes one way. We've invested everything in that kid, and then they're just gone. I would get burned every time, wondering why I poured myself into someone that can simply be gone when they feel like leaving.

It's often the same in churches. People need you there, at all times. You must meet their need, answer their phone calls, run the ministries they want, how they want them, be there when they need to have 'a meeting' with you. Then all of a sudden you realize you haven't seen them around and they say, "Oh, I go to another church."

Oh . . . . . I honestly thought we were in this together. I wasn't going anywhere - I was intent on helping you. I really was listening to your concerns. They were actually impacting my life. Now you're just . . . gone? Wow - when this first started happening I was very confused and hurt. But I'm learning.

I'm learning a hard lesson. Because as a minister we do need to be there for the sheep. It's our calling. When we pour ourselves into them and they just walk away we must remember that it is God we are serving. That the moments we have with them, if we are serving with the right motives, will bear fruit in some way. Maybe not with them, but with me.

Again - it is God we are serving. If we don't keep that at the forefront, we will get hit like a hammer every time that happens and there are only so many blows a Christian leader can take. If we don't remember that we're serving Him, we'll be destroyed, bit by bit, by every person that does this to us.

Colossians 3:23,24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."