Navigating Narratives

The Gospel of Christ

A recent post on Facebook made this observation, “Our opinions and attitudes as believers must have the Gospel of Jesus at the heart of every conversation. Our witness in this day is so important!” This sentiment is spot on! 

In light of the competing narratives being promulgated today, the believer must exhibit the love of Christ genuinely, and avoid actions and attitudes that are self-serving or from a spirit of pride. In addition, one must be cautious to allow the Holy Spirit to control "the tongue" which so easily "boasts great things." (James 3:5b, ESV) Avoiding inflammatory and prideful assertions or boastings will lessen the likelihood of misunderstanding, and will demonstrate one's love for both God and neighbor.

Equally important is the ability to rightly divide truth from error. When the Gospel of Christ is the center of focus, one can be assured that the Holy Spirit will provide both the courage and words that will bring glory to God. Always keep in mind that “. . . we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians‬ ‭6:12, ‭ESV‬‬) 

The Knowledge of Christ

Two sections of Scripture provide clarity about the expectations to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Both come from the mouth of Jesus himself. These warnings should give one pause when considering his or her relationship with the Savior.

The Foundation

The first passage for meditation is found in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)  

A. T. Robertson writes, “Success, as the world counts it, is not a criterion of one's knowledge of Christ and relation to him.” Many voices are clamoring for attention; some advocating on behalf of Christlikeness. One cannot make a decision based on success, popularity, or fear. Luke adds clarity by documenting a clear means of discerning such voices:

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬, ESV‬‬)

The person who builds the house on ground without a foundation is one who may have an experimental knowledge with Jesus. One with experiential knowledge establishes a foundation on which a life of obedience is built. To the one who hears but does not do, Jesus asserts, "I was never acquainted with you.” Only the person who digs deep, lays a firm foundation on Jesus' words, and obeys them, will not be shaken by the onslaught of spiritual battles.  

The Deception

A second passage that demands review is found in Matthew 24. 

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:23-24, ESV)

One is wise to discern results, and be wary of the sleight of hand of the charlatan. Gratefully, Luke implies that the obedient follower of Christ will not be led astray. The persuasiveness of the false prophet, however, is powerful, and extremely convincing. Rather than assuming a pronouncement valid because it resonates with a religious, social, or political narrative, the veracity must meet Christ's obedience test. Obedience must harmonize with the Word of God. Therefore, Scripture must provide the foundational truth for one's discernment.

Two Options

Recent events have provided an opportunity for such a test to discern the truth. In Galatians 5, Paul draws a clear distinction between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. A breakdown of the two is provided below.

Galatians 5:19-21, ESV -The Works of the Flesh

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: 

• Sensual - sexual immorality (harlotry), impurity (I.e., moral), sensuality (sexual activity of various kinds, often ascribed to paganism), 
• Idolatrous - idolatry (ungodly worship), sorcery (specifically related to illicit drug use, often utilized by sorcerers related to the magical arts) 
• Personal - enmity (personal animosities), strife (rivalries, discord), jealousy, fits of anger (heightened emotions leading to explosiveness), rivalries (a “party” spirit), dissensions (also “party” spirit), divisions (splits in two), envy (feelings of ill-will),
• Intemperance - drunkenness (drunken excesses), orgies (drinking parties), and things like these (the outcroppings of such activities). 

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:22-24, ESV - The Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

• love (self-sacrificing, others oriented),
• joy (evident in the midst of tribulations,1 Thess. 1:6; a product of regeneration),
• peace (a consequence of the peace of Chrst made through the shedding of His blood; tranquility, quietness as a result of one's grafting into His Body),
• patience (enduring of present evils with joyfulness),
• kindness, 
• goodness (acts of goodness in one's setting, whether civil, moral, or spiritual; a natural outgrowth of Gospel regeneration),
• faithfulness (devotion, unswerving in commitment),
• gentleness (not hasty in judgement, open to be entreated), 
• self-control (sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit);

against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

A Time for Choosing

Jesus clearly states that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). The prophet Amos asks, “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” (Amos‬ ‭3:3‬, ESV‬‬). Can the follower of Christ avoid discerning that which adheres to the whole counsel of God? Should one sacrifice sound doctrine, which the Bible clearly addresses, to appease an agenda that is plainly errant? 

In the final analysis, what is critical is that the testimony of Christ be unblemished. Paul urged the Galatians, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians‬ ‭5:16‬, ESV‬‬). It could equally be rendered, you will never, no never, gratify the desires of the flesh. Such is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Every choice results in a consequence. Standing firmly may result in persecution or ostracism. Peter reminds us that it is “. . . a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” He goes on to say, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter‬ ‭2:18-21, 23‬, ESV‬‬)

Chose wisely, and hold fast the faithful word that has been taught, and by sound doctrine exhort and convince those who contradict it (Titus‬ ‭1:9‬, ESV).

 

Where is Personal Responsibility?

A recent article in the Hillsdale College Imprimis May/June 2014 publication was adapted from a speech delivered by Dr. Anthony Daniels entitled "The Worldview that Makes the Underclass."  In this speech, Dr. Daniels, who also writes under the penname of Theodore Dalrymple, revealed some startling facts he discovered during his years as a doctor and psychiatrist in Birmingham, England.  Here are just a few to chew on:

"Everyone lived in households with a shifting cast of members, rather than in families."

"If there was an adult male resident, he was generally a bird of passage with a residence of his own somewhere else."

"To ask a child who his father was had become an almost indelicate question.  Sometimes the child would reply, 'Do you mean my father at the moment?'"

"By the time they are 15 or 16, twice as many children in Britain have a television as have a biological father living at home."

While these fact are certainly startling to those of more conventional sensibilities, here are two statements that demonstrate the depth to which our culture has reduced the sense of responsibility:

"Few homes were without televisions with screens as large as a cinema—sometimes more than one—and they were never turned off, . . . But what was curious was that these homes often had no means of cooking a meal, or any evidence of a meal ever having been cooked beyond the use of a microwave, and no place at which a meal could have been eaten in a family fashion." 

"Surveys have shown that a fifth of British children do not eat a meal more than once a week with another member of their household, and many homes do not have a dining table."

With this as a backdrop, Dr. Daniels proceeds to share that what people mean is often not what they say.  One must take heed to the way something is expressed to derive the subtleties of what is being said.  His example involved a murderer saying of his/her action, "the knife went in," rather than "I stabbed him/her."  Semantics?  Think about the implication.  Dr. Daniel asserts, "it implied that it was the knife that guided the hand rather than the hand that guided the knife."  Why would one seek to separate the intent and the action?  One logical explanation is that the individual sought to remove, or seriously diminish, personal responsibility for what happened.  

Such is the case when someone claims that substance abuse, physical abuse, or some other moral impropriety is a “disease” for which there is no cure, but merely an ability to mitigate consequences through interventions, replacement medication, or some form of self-help support. Dr. Daniel states, “In the United States, the National Institute of Drug Abuse defines addiction quite baldly as a chronic relapsing brain disease—and nothing else.  I hesitate to say it, but this seems to me straightforwardly a lie, told to willing dupes in order to raise funds from the federal government.”

He further clarifies, “Be that as it may, the impression has been assiduously created and peddled among the addicts that they are the helpless victims of something that is beyond their own control, which means that they need the technical assistance of what amounts to a substantial bureaucratic apparatus to overcome it.”

What place does responsibility play? Dr. Daniel contends, “. . . the whole basis of the supposed treatment for their supposed disease is rooted in lies and misconceptions.”  He states that research has demonstrated that most addicts spend at least 18 months abusing heroin sporadically before they become “addicted.”  All during the intermittent use, the abuser is well aware of the consequences of heroin use.  Daniels concludes, “In other words, they show considerable determination in becoming addicts:  It is something, for whatever reason, that they want to become.  It is something they do, rather than something that happens to them.”

Just as Dr. Daniels’ examples of the poor communities in Birmingham, England demonstrate the social results of a lack of responsibility, so a life wasted in the mire of substance abuse demonstrates the consequence that results when one fails to accept responsibility for his/her own actions relating to the use of mind-altering substances in an illicit or illegal manner.

Reprinted by permission from Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College.

Liberty and Justice for ALL

"Announce Liberty throughout the Land."

These United States of America have undergone radical changes that have undercut the foundations of freedom laid by the Founders of this great land.  In reading The Essential Wisdom of the Founding Fathers, edited by Carol Kelly-Gangi, it is patently apparent that our Founders' intention was not to create a republic void of moral absolutes, but rather to establish one guided by Constitutional principles rooted in the natural laws of a propitious Creator.  John Dickinson, in A Warning to the Colonies, opined:

"Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness . . . we claim them from a higher source - from the King of Kings, and the Lord of all the Earth.  They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals.  They are created in us by the decrees of Providence which establish the laws of our nature.  They are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken from us by any human power without taking our lives."

Prior to the publication of the Declaration of Independence, Alexander Hamilton, in "The Farmer Refuted," likewise asserted the centrality of natural rights in the affairs of mankind:

"The fundamental source of all your errors, sophisms, and false reasoning, is a total ignorance of the natural rights of mankind.  Were you once to become acquainted with these, you could never entertain a thought, that all men are not, by nature, entitled to a parity of privileges.  You would be convinced, that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator, to the whole human race; and that civil liberty is founded in that; and cannot be wrested from any people, without the most maifest violation of justice.

How sad that rights granted by the Almighty would be rent from those to whom they were so graciously committed.  Sadder yet is the reality that such rights have been surrendered over time without a fight.  Dickinson understood that our God-given rights are worthy of vigilant protection.  To relinquish such rights without a fight, is to espouse an ideology of atheism.  To think that the blessing of   liberty is endowed by a government, king or political system is idolatry.  Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Freedom is not a gift bestowed on us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature."

Resist the pressure to acquiesce to philosophies that negate the certainty of "the Laws of Nature and Nature's God."  Stand firm in the knowledge that our Founders understood how a nation like the United States could retain God's blessings, and our government held to the standard of "liberty and justice for all."

Discouragement

As I was considering the past nine weeks since becoming a part of Rob's Big Losers, I began to get a little discouraged about the physical struggles that have prevented a consistent exercise regimen, and the slower than expected loss of weight. The longer I thought, prayed and meditated on the situation, however, I was reminded that the successes I have enjoyed far outweigh the failures.

First, and foremost, was the mental shift that came with the realization that my unwillingness to live a healthy lifestyle was the result of selfishness. Like those caught in the web of addiction, the lure of food is as strong for me as the need for another drink is for the alcoholic. Hyperbole? No! Just honest!

Paul plead with the Roman believers to "give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" He further urged, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is" (Romans 12:1-2, NLT). I had to give my life away, allow Him to change my thoughts, and not cling to the urges that prevented me from knowing what God wanted me to do.

Second, I have recognized that my exercise plan needs to be consistent, not cruel. Thirty minutes of consistent exercise that raises the heart rate for a sustained period of time, five days a week, can be as effective as the most rigorous exercise routine. It's okay that I don't excel in the rough and tumble world of triathlons and marathons. I have permission to admit I'm almost 60, the survivor of heart bypass surgery, and not interested in endurance activities. What I don't have permission to do is ignore my responsibility as a son, husband, father, grandfather, employee, etc. to do my very best to maintain a level of health that permits me to fulfill my duties in those roles.

Third, my life, in every aspect, is to be a reflection of my Savior. Overeating may be socially acceptable, and more often than not, encouraged. God refers to it as gluttony. Who am I to question His truth? Clearly, I don't reflect Him appropriately when I chose to live by worldly opinion/standards as opposed to His.

Fourth, I am learning a lesson in contentment, and maintaining a spirit of joy which allows me to overcome the excuse of eating as a sedative. An abundantly clear lesson has been "when you're hungry, eat!" But, if your not hungry, don't give in to the urge to eat just to have something to do.

My favorite spot in the house is a wonderful recliner that sits in the corner of our living room. One of my favorite activities is to eat a snack while watching the television in my recliner. In the past, the snack could be ice cream, crackers, chips, pretzels, and the list goes on. Now you're more likely to see grapes, oranges, a handful of nuts or just a glass of water. Was this an easy transition? No, but a necessary one. I now find contentment in going to bed with the realization that I didn't give in to my temptations.

"Attitude determines altitude." While I am not certain to whom attribution is due, this concise assertion can be derived from Paul's letter to the Phillipians where he commanded, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon" (Phillipians 4:4-5, NLT) Our world needs genuine examples of Christ-like joy.

My desire is to exhibit this joy in accomplishing my health goals. There are times the body hurts and the temptation to give in to a chocolate binge is strong. What do I do? Rejoice! It's time for God's strength to be made perfect in my weakness.

It all goes back to the "change of mind" that I wrote about earlier. Remember this, "If I think the way I've always thunk, my thoughts will stink like they've always stunk." Maintaining an attitude of joy is only possible when I surrender myself to the transforming work of God's Holy Spirit, and allow Him control my thoughts. The Scriptures are rife with affirmations concerning our thoughts. Find them, and make them your meditation until right thinking becomes your norm.

In closing, the World English Dictionary defines discouragement as "to deprive of the will to persist in something." I choose not to be deprived of that will. Rather, I choose to adhere to what John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrims Progress, wrote:

There's no Discouragement,
Shall make him once relent,
His first avow'd intent,
To be a Pilgrim.

I choose to continue as a pilgrim on this journey, regardless of the obstacles, because the lessons are far greater than how to get a smaller waistline, bigger muscles or the acclaim of my peers. The lessons are drawing me to a greater realization of how to be the reflection of Christ as I travel this road.

Choosing . . . to make a difference! Join me!

Setbacks

Setbacks are part of progress. I would be hard pressed to list a project of any magnitude or value that didn’t have circumstances that hindered progress at one time or another.

My journey to better health, which began about seven weeks ago, has certainly seen its share of setbacks. Thankfully, however, my support network of family and friends have continued to bolster my commitment to not only finish the twelve weeks with RBL, but to continue the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life.

Rob has mentioned several times about the importance of proper nutrition and development of good eating habits. Over the past two weeks that has had to be my focus. The exercise routine has been “sidelined” as I heal from muscle spasms from sciatica. I was able to mow the lawn Saturday with minimal discomfort, so it’s back to the gym on Monday to kick-start my metabolism and continue toward my weight loss goal.

The RBL journey is providing a very practical and tangible example of what it takes to fulfill my commitment to live for Christ. No earthly struggle can compare to the inheritance awaiting me when Christ returns. In the same way, temporary physical aches and pains will not prevent my pursuit of a healthier life, which will allow me to enjoy God’s blessings here while I await His return or my home going.

Thanks again, Rob, for providing this opportunity and the encouragement you and Kristin are offering each day through your ministry at HIS Radio.

Boot Camp - Pushing the Limits

After some physical setbacks in weeks three and four, I attended the first Boot Camp for Rob's Big Losers last Saturday. Those who have been privileged to serve our country and endure a genuine military boot camp know that the process is rigorous, failure is not an option, and the rewards, while delayed, are worth the effort.

Our Boot Camp was held at the Eastside Y on Saturday, February 19 at 8:00 a.m. That's right, 8:00 a.m.! All 32 of Rob's Big Losers were present and "eager" to begin. The circuit included six stations in which we were to do the assigned exercise for one minute and then "rest" during our transition to the next station for 30 seconds. At first glance, the stations looked challenging, but doable.

Station One was the burpee. We used to call this the squat thrust, but the burpee added a jump at the end. Check out the video below and imagine doing that for one solid minute.



During our 30 second rest we transitioned to the next station, which was a lunge and a 90 degree turn at the waist while holding a dumbbell in front of us. We would alternate legs and turn our upper body in the direction of the leg that with which we stepped forward.

We then moved on to a rowing type exercise using two dumbbells. For this exercise we would bend our knees, bend the upper body forward slightly, keeping our head up and facing forward, and lift the dumbbells in a rowing motion toward our chest.

Our next exercise used an "X" on the floor. We were to jump from one part of the "X" to another, or step continuously from one of the four sections of the "X" to another for one minute. Looked simple, but after the first four exercises, my leg muscles were screaming for mercy and felt like lead weights.

After using our body in a miniature game of foursquare, we moved to an exercise called the "Arnold" press. It was modified to include a dumbbell curl prior to lifting the weights above our head and turning our hands as we lifted them. This was one of the few that I could continue to do with only a mild burn in my arm muscles.

The "final" exercise was a squat or deep knee bend while holding dumbbells on our shoulders or at our side. The coach assigned to this station would help us alter the moves such as spreading our legs out, holding the dumbbells in front of us and doing the squat lowering the dumbbells between our legs.

Keep in mind, we exercised for one minute, "rested" for 30 seconds, during which we moved to the next station. This routine continued for about 30 minutes, after which we left the gym and went to the group exercise room and did another 30 minutes of "Body Combat." Punches, kicks, twists, constant motion for one-half hour. All I can say is I was glad when the instructor let us get the mats and do some abdominal work and then finished with some stretches.

Why the detail? Only to point out that I have never challenged myself to push the limits of my body's capacity to endure strenuous exercise. My style has always been to seek the easy route. Settle for what was good enough.

In Jr. High and High School I stopped playing baseball because I would be required to run two miles a day. In college, I took the courses that had the easiest professors, or allowed me to take the course pass/fail. In my work life, I often choose to leave a challenging situation rather than develop the skills required to surmount the difficulties. In my Christian life, I often took the road most traveled to avoid appearing fanatical or off the deep end.

My journey with Rob's Big Losers is about far more than losing weight and regaining a better level of health. That may have been my initial desire, but pushing the limits of my physical endurance is helping me to see the need to do the same for my spiritual health. There is no place for carelessness in a Christian's life.

Solomon penned in Ecclesiastes 9:10a (NLT), "Whatever you do, do well," and I might add with all diligence. Matthew Henry commented about verse 10, "believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation." Jesus' job description for the Christ-follower includes, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine" (Matthew 10:38, NLT).

This journey is about losing myself to a higher purpose. It's about learning to die to myself and follow in the steps of the God who created me with full abandon. Ultimately, my desire is to take the road less traveled and push the limits of my commitment to my God, my family and my community. Only then will I truly make a difference, and hopefully challenge someone else to join in the journey.

Remember, ALWAYS make a difference!!

The Journey - Week 2

Wow! Maintaining a focus on a healthier lifestyle became more challenging during Week 2. Letting the pressures of work and life create excuses was a real temptation. Such decisions, however, would have derailed my commitment to make a difference in my life and by my example.

Interestingly, I was reminded of the importance of continuing by my daughter as she “coached” me through my Nautilus workout today. As I worked on the overhead press, she reminded me “Quitters never win, Daddy!” While I was unable to complete the number of reps I originally planned at that time, I returned to the machine and fulfilled my stated goal.

Eating has been less of a challenge. The mental shift to being more disciplined with food choices has been helped by the support of my wife and daughter. Overcoming the choice to eat donuts, pizza, and the multitude of other sweet treats has not been easy, but it has been simple. I’ve had my fling with “what tastes good.” Continuing to experience the love of my wife and children, the joy of seeing the smiles of my grandchildren, and the foundational and unconditional love exemplified in my father will require me to choose correctly.

The grafts used to restore proper blood flow to my heart in 2004 have a lifespan of about 10 years. One nurse shared that I could get more, “if [I] behave [my] self.” While my experience with open-heart surgery was mild by some measures, enduring such an invasive procedure again is not anything I want to encounter anytime soon. When discussing my weight and lack of exercise during my last cardiologist visit, Dr. Smith again reminded me of the temporary nature of the cardio artery bypass grafts. He looked at me and said, “You’re an intelligent man and should understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.”

Intelligent man? Wow! How did an “intelligent man” let himself slip back into a murderous routine? Hyperbole? I don’t think so. I was, as Mike Huckabee once wrote, killing myself with a knife and fork. The choices I was making were purely selfish and gave no thought to the big picture, and how my choices would impact those who love and care about me. So . . . I continue this trek with the support of my wonderful family, the super coaches at the YMCA, and the continual encouragement of Rob Dempsey and Kristin Roberts from HIS Radio.

Stats? Since January 1, 2011 I have lost (by our Weight Watcher scale at home) 20 pounds. More importantly, my clothes are no longer tight, and actually look like I’m wearing the correct size. I’m working to get back into my favorite suit from when I lost weight after my surgery. I might even include a picture in the blog when I’m wearing it.

Choose to make a difference in and with your life today! Thanks for reading.