Bovine Theology

It seems like it is easier to post videos than write sometimes. This is especially true with this one. This video is a project that I have worked on more hours than I care to admit. I would use descriptives like “meticulous” or “perfectionist” to describe my motivations, but neither fits well. I was tasked with creating a short film to profile MTW’s work in the region. I collected footage from a number of sources, which wasn’t really ideal, mainly because it was shot by a number of different people with different equipment. But I was thankful to have the footage at all, and was especially appreciative toward those who graciously shared what they had with me. I found myself constantly tweaking and changing the film because it is to be profiled in connection with the upcoming General Assembly. I wanted the outcome to reflect well on MTW by communicating not merely information, but a story that speaks to the hearts of its viewers. My times has run out and this is the final product, for better or worse!

As some of my closest friends know, I supported Fred Thompson in the primary campaign. I supported him because I believed he was the only candidate who truly represented the voice of genuine conservatism. I felt so deeply that I even supported his campaign financially. I’ve never done that for any other politician. But Thompson didn’t make it through the primary, and that’s okay because I know my ultimate hope isn’t in any earthly regime. That said, I still feel strongly in who I vote for, even if I am frustrated in doing so.

I continue to get emails from Thompson’s PAC, but don’t have much time to read and watch videos. This evening, however, my brother-in-law sent me one of the videos and said I needed to watch it. So I did. And once again, I heard the voice of genuine conservatism, communicating what conservatives really believe. This message has been so distorted by our media that I think many who know conservativism’s wisdom is worthwhile, have forgotten how to communicate it to their friends and family. So I’m posting this video for the 2 or 3 viewers that still happen by this site, in case they might have someone in their life who needs to hear this message. It’s worth the 12 minutes. The only bad thing about it is it broke my heart that Thompson isn’t on the ballot.

There are other emails I have received from friends and family that communicate concern over Obama, including one that I received multiple times from an African-American pastor. Much of his content was on target, but his hatred and language frustrated me to the point of closing out the video. There is a way to communicate the concerns we have about socialist-tendencies, lack of character, hypocrisy, etc…without being hateful and emotion-driven.

Okay, here’s Fred’s video:

Thanks to my brother-in-law, I got to enjoy watching this wonderful video today. I kept waiting for the SNL trailer. But sad to say, it is real.

And speaking of good tunage, McGrooter has become quite interested in watching the Gospel Music Channel. And I’m not sure how scared I should be by some of his favorites. Beware, you probably need an extra dose of grace to appreciate his taste!

First, there’s Skillet, a band I listened to years ago. This is his current favorite rock song. But the boy likes his rap too, including this ear candy by Mr. Del. You should see his mom dance to this one! And we can’t forget all the kids favorite, KJ-52′s Do Yo Thang. Then there is the entire family favorite, Joyful Noise. I can only imagine what the teenage years will be like! (by the way, for those who don’t know me, I kind of like the music stuff so it’s somewhat in the genes)

I try to bite my lip when political issues come up in conversation. I usually fail. And this is no exception. As I read the news today, I couldn’t help but notice a picture of one of my “favorite” pastors, Rod Parsley. Don’t ask me why I like to watch him. He distorts the Gospel, and in reality preaches a false gospel of health and wealth. But he is so intense. And his ability to twist scripture is amazing (in a bad way). I haven’t watched him in years, but before we had kids Leslie would often come into the room and find me watching the hour of power, or whatever it was.

Anyway, back to the news. I saw this video with a caption below it about McCain’s pastor problems. I thought, “I didn’t know McCain went to church in Ohio!” That would be some commute for him, whether from DC or from Arizona (Rod Parsley lives and is pastor of a church in Columbus, OH). So I watched it. I heard McCain praise Parsley as one of the “great leaders in America” and something about “a moral compass.” I thought to myself, “he doesn’t know what he’s saying or what he’s getting himself into with this guy.” Then he walks across the stage and shakes his hand. In that moment I was awed at the stupidity of political staffers and strategists. Rod Parsley doesn’t represent evangelicalism any more than Rev. Wright represents “the black church.” Now that’s of course a whole other issue wherein many in America have generalized and stereotyped African Americans as a group based on color, but would never say “the white church.” But I won’t open that can right now.

The irony is that both men, who are both hungry for power, sacrifice so many things in joining together and end up creating a mess. I’m not talking about issues of theology and truth. I’m just pointing out the sickness of politics. “Who didn’t check this Parsley guy out?” I can hear McCain saying. And I can imagine Parsley’s inbox filling up with emails from supporters once McCain openly criticizes and rejects him. Both, I’m sure, are scrambling to do damage control.

But I’ve come to tolerate as much in our nation. That’s politics in America. What sickens me more is what ABC did in this piece. How many hours of footage did they go through to find just the right clips to juxtapose next to each other to “create” these problems. Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of people upset by this. But what ABC is trying to do is create the same problem for McCain that garnered so much attention for Obama. That’ll get the ratings up! Whether I like McCain or not, like Parsley or not, does ABC expect me to believe that any presidential candidate is going to find a pure band of supporters who share exactly every single view that they do? Of course there are views that Parsley will have that McCain will disagree with, just the same as Obama and Wright. Why can’t the guy shake his hand on stage without ABC trying to attach all of Parsley’s views on McCain? Good night, Parsley isn’t even his pastor. Yes, McCain’s staffers were dumb to set this up. They brought this upon themselves. It was a political mistake in the rules of politics. And because of the smirk on Parsley’s face, I don’t feel sorry for either one of them. But that is all so miniscule in comparison to the utter disdain I have for what ABC and other media outlets do to drive up ratings.

And that is why I say, “Rick and Bubba For President!“

Speaking of good books, a good friend of mine sent me an email about a book his brother has written. Baron (and his wife Jamie) took me under their wings when I was just a young pup in Hawaii. They played a large part in my spiritual growth during that time, and were very much my family away from family while I was there. Anyway, Baron’s brother Eric has written the first in a series of books that is similar to The Chronicles of Narnia series, by C.S. Lewis. The name of the book is, Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword. It sounds like the age range is for kids 9-15, so I’ll have to check it out to see if my kids are ready for it. But I thought some folks out in blogland might be interested. If you want to hear more from Eric there is an interview on You Tube from a local Orlando show that you can watch. That got me more interested in the book, and it was fun seeing how much he reminded me of his brother. Here is part 1 of the interview, and here is part 2. You can find the book on Amazon by clicking here. And by the way, if you ever order from Amazon feel free to use any link here on my blog when going to order (even if you’re not ordering that product). It doesn’t change the price or experience for you, but I do get a referral fee which allows me to pay the extra portion of my electric bill from my daughter’s nightlight.

I’m sorry if it bugs you, but I’m just not much of a fan of Halloween. I never have been. And each year, either because I am getting older, or because Halloween is really growing, this “holiday” seems to be celebrated more and more. It seems like it is becoming a lot like Christmas. This year I heard people talk about “the Halloween season” and the “spirit of Halloween” (I think they meant a lower case “s”). People are really decorating their yards these days, and their houses with Halloween paraphernalia. It just seems strange. What about Halloween is happy? Everyone always says it’s the candy, but Halloween isn’t really about candy. We get candy for a bunch of other reasons, but that’s not why we enjoy Christmas or Easter…and not to make this totally a secular/sacred argument, we do say things like “Happy 4th of July” and that does seem happy enough. But Halloween celebrates dead things, morose things, macabre things. What’s happy about that?

You probably think I’m being Ebenezer Scrooge, but please…reserve him for Christmas! Or maybe you think I’m legalistic and think Halloween is sinful. I’m not. Maybe, you’ll argue, it’s because I have no memory of trick-or-treating and that has scarred me for life. Maybe so. I don’t remember ever trick-or-treating, but I do think there is a picture of me at the age of 3 in a Casper the Ghost costume. You’ll have to ask the parents who deprived me of such festivities. But Halloween just doesn’t seem “happy” to me.

Personally, I don’t think I missed out. I don’t think there is much to celebrate about Halloween. What good comes from celebrating a witch, a skeleton, or a monster? Am I missing something? I think Peggy Noonan makes a good point when she states, “What you applaud, you encourage. And: Watch out what you celebrate!” I think this is especially true of matters relating to Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Which is a nice segue, although not intended, to mention my frustration with the inbredness of the media and entertainment industry. Since Leslie has been sick, I’ve been upstairs more. Which means I’ve been around the TV more and have seen news and award shows. I guess having not seen these for a while, and then watching them now, it is painfully clear to me that Hollywood and the media do nothing more than get together and pat each other on the back. This global warming thing is a good example, with Al Gore being the chief example. Come on! This guy is the biggest hypocrite when it comes to personal responsibility for conservation and they pour on the awards??? More than that, at one award show it was as if they worshipped the man when he came on stage. No one got the applause and ovation that he did. And it is public knowledge that he owns a company that sells these carbon credits that are supposed to offset carbon emissions. That would be like the owner of a bullet-proof vest manufacturing company using the microphone and getting awards that promote the tragic, and frightfully growing trend of gun violence in America. But the circle is so inbred, they fail to see it. And America keeps clapping, and even celebrating, by watching the shows and movies they produce. And we wonder why their agenda gains the ground with the speed that it does! Frankly, Hollywood scares me more than the little ghouls running around the neighborhood tonight. By the way, if you’re really mad at me now and think I’m totally cuckoo for saying anything negative about global warming let me clarify. I know that over the past 100 years the earth’s average temperature has increased by 1 degree. That is not debated. The question is, “what caused it?” I’m just not convinced that it is completely man, and I’m especially not convinced that the end of the world is coming as a result of global warming. One of the people in the media who I do enjoy, John Stossel, has written a good editorial on this subject recently, and I commend it to you. I must also mention another article by him regarding a subject that I think points out another level of hypocrisy in Hollywood, and especially among rich liberals (which pretty much defines Hollywood).

Whew, that’s some scary blogging there!

On a more important matter than my own banterings, Leslie is still not feeling well. The chemo continues to wear her down. She was in bed much of the day. Our friends, Ralph & Ann, came and saved her this afternoon by coming to get the kids and taking them to the park and Chick-fil-A for dinner. They then took them to First Baptist where the kids met up with Grandad, Mimi, and Poppie for “Trick-or-Trunk.” The members of FBC parked cars around the loop at the church and handed out candy out of their trunks. Kind of a cute, and safe way to do it. And see, I’m not depriving my children!! They had a wonderful time, and made some good memories with Grandad, Mimi, and Poppie. Of course, I do have a mind to sneak into their candy bags tonight and throw out half of it. Hmmm, that might be a risky move worth making!

Pray that Leslie’s body will rebound quickly, that the kids will feel secure (they continue to get up in the night), and that I won’t be such an unbelievable wretch of a husband, father, and employee in the midst of all of this.

Before signing off, I want to include a video that Leslie has on her blog. It is extremely encouraging and powerful…and worth every bit of the 13:22 of your time. The authenticity with which this guy speaks given his condition is mind-boggling. I should be this confident in Christ in my situation, and it pales in comparison to his.

We have certainly had our share of ups and downs over the past several days. In fact, let me just go ahead and say, if I haven’t posted, PRAY! It usually means I’m so overwhelmed that I haven’t even gotten to the computer…which has other implications, such as getting behind on my work. Tonight, I am three days behind my work and will probably not get all the way caught up. I’m exhausted, but encouraged. Leslie stayed home and rested today, and tonight she looks and feels much better.

Tuesday started out as a good day, and then went downhill in the afternoon. She called me in the afternoon and said she was going to her parents after work so they could help with the kids. She was on the couch when I got there, and hadn’t been feeling well. Becky fixed a wonderful dinner and she bathed the kids so I could visit with Mike & Poppie. I feel like it’s been years since we’ve been able to just sit down and visit like that. It was really nice. I brought the kids home and got them down, and Mike & Becky brought Leslie home about an hour or so later once she was feeling better. Becky was particularly concerned about Leslie and thought she may need to go to the ER because of dehydration. Leslie did look bad, but I had seen her much worse, especially during radiation. I wrestled all evening trying to decide, “do I play it safe and take her, or just try and make her comfortable?” I trusted Leslie’s judgment just to give it time and let her get comfortable in bed. That worked and she was asleep before long. I was thankful, but I must say that was an awful time to go through, questioning my judgment over-and-over again. Today Leslie rested and was able to begin eating again, slowly but surely. Becky was here with her most of the day, and got several things from the store to help her eat/drink. She also took care of dinner again for us tonight. I was able to focus on the kids, which they really need right now. Then, once I got them in bed, I didn’t have to scurry about the kitchen cleaning up, and actually got to sit and talk with Leslie for about 15 minutes. Thanks Becky!!!

The thing that really struck me is that one minute Leslie can look great and seem to be doing great. It’s at those times that we get to get out and go places and do things. And that’s usually when people see her. But there’s another side to this cancer treatment ordeal that few get to see (or should see). Maybe that’s what I end up writing about the most because that is what touches me the most. I hurt so deeply when I see her in so much pain. But I can’t neglect that we have had good moments. And I have to say I am very thankful for them. Maybe I should write more about the days she can leave the house.

Tomorrow, Leslie will go to work. Please pray she can make it through the day.

On a separate note, I scanned the paper tonight and one editorial caught my eye. I usually don’t read editorials because I don’t need any added stress in my life right now. But for whatever reason, I read this article by Diana West, a writer for the Washington Times. It’s not a perspective we hear often, but one we should consider. And in the same way the West is guilty of self-censoring (which may lead to its demise), I think as Christians we often do the same thing. Fearing offending someone we are, in many ways, losing our orthodoxy.

No, this is not about cancer, suffering, or needing to coordinate meals. It’s just for fun, theological fun. Now that I’ve weeded out all the readers but two of you (probably Van and Andy…maybe Curtis is still with me), check out these great motivational posters about the “emerging church.” They’re kinda funny. Here are a couple of my favorites.

And the VERY BEST one:

In a recent conversation with one of my Bush-hating friends, I listened as he told me that he agreed with the war in Afghanistan because we were fighting Al Qaeda, but not with the war in Iraq because we were fighting for oil. Although I insisted we were fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq, he was unmoved, staying committed that the Crook had a personal agenda to make his friends rich by fighting for their oil interests.

I read with interest today that the #2 in command (second only to Bin Laden) of Al Qaeda spoke of the war in Iraq as being against them (Al Qaeda). This isn’t on the Drudge Report or even on Fox News, but on CNN’s website. Click here to read the article.

Two thoughts went through my mind as I read the quotes from Ayman al-Zawahiri: 1) This is who we’re fighting. This is why we’ve stayed the task. 2) This is what my instructors we’re talking about nearly fifteen years ago as I set under them at the Naval and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center. They said, “the next war we will fight will be a war on terrorism.” This was in 1993. It sounded strange to me then. I couldn’t put that into a category. That was true for most if not all in my class. But these words were prophetic. And although our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines have all been trained to fight, for the most part, conventionally; we are in a very unconventional war. But it is not one of revenge for Bush Sr., nor is it one for oil. It is for the security of our country.

I appreciated a quote by John McCain that I read in a recent issue of World Magazine. He spoke on his committment to the war, and then clarified by saying something to the effect of knowing that it’s not what most Americans want, but he’s committed to the principle not the polls. I think, although I could be wrong, that is what our President has committed himself to. But maybe my friend is right. Maybe Bush is just a crook who is using America’s men and women in uniform to make his few friends rich. Personally, I don’t buy it and I think it smacks in the face of all who fight for our freedom. I sure am glad God is in control of this world.

Another week has gone by and I have not blogged like I wanted. This week was marked by sickness, a sinus infection for me and strep throat again for McGrooter. It’s been marked by sadness as Leslie’s grandmother is now at the 2-week point of being in the hospital. It’s been marked by confusion and frustration by the number of Christians who have actually said to me, “I hate” someone. And it’s been marked by thought as I’ve been reading and having some in-depth discussions with other Christians. Finally, it’s been marked by bitterness and depression as I’ve “relapsed” into rehashing the past and its impact on our lives.

Each of these issues has served as an indictment against me. My own sickness is due, at least in part, to my lack of sleep. I keep trying to burn the candle at both ends in an attempt to get ahead, to finish one more task. I feel guilty for not having finished more of my studies, so I try to read more. I work more in an attempt to accomplish an unending list of tasks. And then, rather than take my wife’s advice, I wake up with my head pounding and swimming, the repercussions of another sinus infection.

My sadness for Nannie being in the hospital is compounded by frustration at the toll it’s taking on the family. I act, at times, like it’s purposeful. I find myself confused with thoughts of her clinging to life versus actually getting better. And then I get another report of how it is impacting everyone and I’m convicted of my own selfishness. It’s also convicting at how rarely I gave up time I had to work to go and visit with Nannie.

I encountered two fellow Christians this week, actually in the same day, who said they hated someone. The person was the same for both of them. They hate George Bush. I admit that he’s not a likeable fellow. His speeches often seem insincere. His actions have frustrated me at times. But I don’t hate him. They said their hate stems from a number of things. They called him a crook. I guess if I shared their sentiments I could better understand their feelings about him. But to say that we hate someone, as a Christian, seems like a contradiction. As much as I am a conservative in my political ideology, and as much as I side with many of his decisions in regard to protecting our country, my hope is not in him as a person or in his office. Cal Thomas articulated many of my sentiments in an article he wrote about religious right. I realized in my discussions with these two individuals that I will never sway their beliefs. Their emotive responses led me to believe that they are blinded in a sense. I admit that I am too.

I’ve enjoyed pondering a bit this week during my reading of Reasonable Faith, by William Craig. It’s been an encouraging exercise to learn about and be reminded of the reasonableness of my faith. I’ve also been convicted of how infrequently I share this hope with others and how hopeless I often live my life in the midst of lost world around me. I also enjoyed a group discussion about ministry this week. This too was in indictment of my laziness in regard to making ministry personal. Finally, I watched 12 Angry Men with a group of guys who I meet with weekly. The discussion that followed about anger was convicting, as was the prejudice that lies within each of our hearts. It caused me to think of how my beliefs can often blind me to people. I neglect the person in light of the truth. I struggle with how to synthesize truth and personhood the way Jesus did.

Lastly, I struggled with bitterness and depression in light of past sins. My own sin and the sin of others against me continue to show their fruits. As soon as I think I’ve dealt with these issues, they rear their ugly head again. I haven’t forgiven. I know that. I desperately want to.

And this brings me to the overriding thought for all of these matters. I don’t pray. I don’t. I don’t pray often, and I don’t pray like I should. My communion with the Almighty has been like that of two passing strangers on the street. It’s more like a “how do you do?” or a “thanks” for holding the door. Rather than pray I steep in my own misery. Wretch that I am, I prefer wallowing in my circumstances rather than crying out to my Savior. I shouldn’t be amazed that I hurt. In a sense, I hurt because I am starving. The Manna from Heaven who came down to save me and who now sits at the right hand of the Father offers me a banquet. I prefer the crumbs that have landed next to the trash can. My pride creeps up as I hold mock conversations in my head with those who have said things I don’t like, or have done things I don’t like. Rather than in humility using that same time to pray, I pridefully tell off those who have been wrong in my presence. Rather than asking the Father to show me where I am wrong, I bolster my own position in my mind. I deny my neediness of the Holy Spirit in my life as I shun Him. He convicts me and I ignore Him. As John Piper has written, I use prayer like an intercom for the butler rather than as a field radio to call into my Commander. This is war, no doubt. But I act like the world as I go about glibly. Prayer. Pleading. Confessing. Begging. That’s what I need to do.

And so even in writing this my heart is filled with hope. Hope that I am not alone. Hope that I have not been left to my own ability (or lack thereof). The indictment is true. I am guilty. But I am not under condemnation. I am not condemned. Christ was condemned for me. And so I can pray to the Father. I can hope that He loves me. Even in this I sense that God is working. I know that He is. I am, after all, His child.

I’ve enjoyed getting together the past few weeks with some co-workers, informally around lunch, to discuss issues around philosophy of ministry. That probably sounds boring to most people, but it has really been both a provoking and encouraging experience. I’ve always had the desire to make the most of my efforts in ministry. Who wouldn’t want that? But knowing how to do this has often eluded me. By nature, as a human, I tend to program anything and everything I attempt (whether as an individual or as part of a team). Do we need to do better at evangelism? Well, let’s start evangelism training, and plan weekly outreach events, and have a conference with a special guest speaker? Or do we need to assimilate people better? Well, let’s have a 16-week…um, no, no one will commit that long. Let’s have a 6-week program for visitors, another for new members, and then we’ll put them in a community group. I could go on. The point is that I typically think of “doing” rather than being. Could being a better evangelist be more meaningful (even if to fewer people) than doing all these programmatic things to a larger group. Or if I was more proactive at enveloping others into the body, would that be an example and encouragement to others to do the same (more than attending a conference on assimilation)?

I’m not trying to demonize programs, or plans. But I think relationships, personal relationships, may bring more to the table in terms of effectiveness in regard to many things that we face as challenges. Discipleship? We could do it in a group, go through a book or two, and then everyone would be discipled, right? Relationships are a little trickier. How do we know when we’ve done “it?” How much more time would that take? My point is clear, I think. It can be more work and more ambiguous.

So today we were talking about presuppositions. Our facilitator (who has strong ties to Reformed University Fellowship) shared six presuppositions that ought to be in our minds, because they do affect what we’re doing in ministry. They are:

1. God is at work – This is true because God is sovereign as well as because He tabernacles within His people. Where we are, God is working. We don’t always see how, but we can trust that He is. Even in the midst of our sin, He is able to redeem what we do.
2. Theology is present – Everyone has some belief about God. It may be a belief that He doesn’t exist, but everyone has a theology.
3. The church – The Body of Christ is a shaping influence and should be considered, particularly in ministries outside of the local body. Personally, I believe that ministry should be tied to a local church. We were meant to function and serve (and learn to get along) in the midst of others.
4. Demographics – We must consider the “culture” in which we minster. We may consider demographics formally or anecdotally, but we must know to whom we are ministering and take into account who they are wholly.
5. Learning process – Everyone learns differently.
6. The individual – We must value the person. Everyone is created in the image of God.

There are many of these presuppositions that I have failed to factor into my ministry in the past. There were times in my ministry when I swung the pendelum toward relevance, and times when I swung it to far away from relevance. Often I focused more on the task than the person(s) I ministered to. Tasks are easier to quantify than relationships, and we (I) like to measure things. There have been moments in the “pressure cooker” of ministry that I failed to remember that God was at work. So this has been a helpful discussion for me, and my hope is that my ministry in years to come will better reflect not just what God expects of me, but who God expects me to be.