God’s mercies are new every morning.

Jeremiah, Lamentations 3:23

The beginning of a new day, a new week – and especially of a new year – reminds us how deeply we value a fresh start. How amazing of God to renew His mercies every morning!

Without Comment: In The Descent of Man (1871), Charles Darwin criticized compassion, writing, “With Savages, the weak in body or mind are soon eliminated; and those that survive commonly exhibit a vigorous state of health. We civilized men, on the other hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimination… Thus, the weak members of civilized 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.”

Homeschooling Trends: After years of rapid growth, the homeschooling movement has leveled off, grown more racially diverse, and become less religiously motivated.

The Division Lies Below: Progressives typically want the state to restrain capitalism, redistribute wealth, ensure equality and free the individual (from traditional forms of family, marriage, sex, etc.). Conservatives generally want the opposite – i.e., the state to free the markets, protect property rights, promote inherited values and focus on equality of opportunity. Both claim they want humans to flourish. Why such disagreement? It seems as though those on the right are more skeptical of human nature and more inclined to think solutions lie with family, faith and the markets. Meanwhile, those on the left are more optimistic about human nature and more inclined to think a path forward is best engineered by the government.

It’s All About the Court:  Twenty years ago, the left overlooked Bill Clinton’s sexcapades because they liked his court appointments. Today the right (including many evangelicals) are doing a similar thing for similar reasons. It’s all about The Court. I share this having recently heard that Justice Ginsburg is not expected to live long.  The DC insider who told me this expects “blood in the streets” during the next appointment proceedings.

Antonin Scalia: I recently skimmed Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived. What intrigued me most was the forward, which was by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She praised him, as he did her. They disagreed on most matters, but were great friends.  As one observer noted, they apparently decided not just to “agree to disagree,”  but “to disagree and still care for each other.”

Quotes worth ReQuoting: When we begin to glimpse the reality of God, the natural reaction is to worship him. Not to have that reaction is a fairly sure sign that we haven’t yet really understood who he is or what he’s done.  N.T. Wright

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Publications have been reviewing the decade. A few – Kristof, Ridley, et al – are proclaiming “the best of times.”  Most are lamenting the “Terrible Tens”/“Decade of Disillusionment.” I’ll spare you my thoughts other than to say: 1) we can learn from these reviews; 2) whether we feel positive or negative is affected by our temperament and our focus; and 3) how odd that both the market and anxiety have spiked at the same time.

The World in Charts: Another way to gain a bigger perspective is by looking at charts like these.

Shaping our Heart: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us to not “store up our treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal.” But instead “to store our treasure in heaven.” He then says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Some believe Jesus is saying that our spending reveals our heart. Yes, but His bigger point is that our spending shapes our heart. If you want to love the true, good and beautiful, give away your stuff to the true, good and beautiful.

Closing Prayer: Loving and tender providence of my God, into your hands I commend my spirit; to you I abandon my hope and fears, my desires and repugnances, my temporal and eternal prospects. Though temptations should assail me, I will hope in you… You are my kind, compassionate, and indulgent Father, and I am your devoted child who casts myself into your arms and begs your blessing. Amen. Claude Le Colombiére (1641-1682) 

When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deut. 8:12f

One of the tragedies of the human condition is our tendency to drift spiritually when things are going well. As the hymn-writer Robert Robertson observed 250 years ago, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.”

Old Business: Last week’s vignette about the monk who blew out the candle – which you can revisit here – garnered two different responses. Some said the joke was lame, “even by ‘Pastor humor’ standards.” Others suggested the story was the “most thoughtful and sublime thing I’ve passed along over the years.” For the record, it wasn’t meant to be funny. Also, last week I referenced a Wall Street Journal article that not everyone could access. It is here.

Quotes Worth ReQuoting:

• “And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”  Kurt Vonnegut
• “… the secularization of modern culture ‘has left many searching for the structure and identity that religion once provided.’ Given this spiritual void, author Kima Cargill explains, ‘food cults arguably replace what religion once did by prescribing organized food rules and rituals.’ These are rules and rituals that—whether the diet is vegan or vegetarian, paleo or primal, Mediterranean or South Beach—nurture identities that keep us loyal, insularly focused, and passionate about what we will and, even more significantly, will not eat.’” Mark Galli

Curious: We have more freedoms than ever – we can sculpt our bodies, choose our gender, select our truth and design our faith, and yet, many feel like victims. Similarly, those enrolled at our most elite educational institutions who are understood to be both “the best and brightest,” are also fragile and in need of safe spaces.

A Christmas Thought:  Jesus is the only person in history who was able to select his parents. And rather than choosing a couple able to offer privilege, power and wealth, he chose a poor, single adolescent and a confused carpenter.

Cancer: Forty percent of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our lifetime. Treatments are improving – and there are now five times as many cancer survivors as fifty years ago – but we’d do well to prepare for the likelihood that we get cancer. Alec Hill’s new book, Living in Bonus Time: Surviving Cancer, Finding New Purpose, is a helpful resource. BTW, an individual doesn’t get cancer, a family does.

Death and Disney: BTW, many of us have a Disneyesque view of the world – which means there is always a happy ending.  In Hill’s new book he notes that Disney himself never allowed the word death to be used in his presence and fervently avoided funerals (including his brother’s). This reminds me of last week’s monk/date vignette and our tendency to simply blow out the candle. As Augustine noted, we are wise to accept that “mortal life is harsh.”

We Have Joined the Race:  In the sprint towards having an old and shrinking population, Japan is winning. And though Europe is in second place, the US now fields a team. The CDC notes that our birth rate is the lowest it has been in 32 years and they expect further declines. If current trends continue, in ten years we will have more people over the age of 65 than below it.

A Final Christmas Thought: Before we turn to New Year events, allow me a final Christmas reflection. It is from Dorothy Sayers’ remarks as she accepted her Doctorate of Divinity.

The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man… The plot pivots upon a single character, and the whole action is the answer to a single central problem: What do you think about Christ?  The Church’s answer is categorical and uncompromising, and it is this: That Jesus bar Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth, was in fact and in truth, and in the most exact and literal sense of the words, the God “by Whom all things were made.” His body and brain were those of a common man; His personality was the personality of God… He was not a kind of demon pretending to be human; He was in every respect a genuine living man. He was not merely a man so good as to be “like God”—He was God.

Resolutions:  It’s the time for resolutions. If you’re looking for motivation, this video of a blind skateboarder may encourage you to take “a vacation from your excuses.”  I am more motivated by the thought that practicing spiritual disciplines – e.g., praying, meditating, journaling, long walks, singing spiritual songs, etc. – is like digging a well for your soul, and that the time to start digging is before you are thirsty.  (Note: now is a good time to consider the plethora of Bible reading plan apps, such as those available via YouVersion).

Closing Prayer:  This New Year’s prayer is from Billy Graham in 2008.

Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.

We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year.

In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.

In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.

In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.

And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).

We pray for our nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to our dangerous and troubled world. We pray especially for Your protection on all those who serve in our armed forces, and we thank You for their commitment to defend our freedoms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them.

Bring our divided nation together, and give us a greater vision of what You would have us to be. Your Word reminds us that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us—far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year.

And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come. Amen.  Billy Graham

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 119:164-5

Some monastic orders interpret this passage literally, requiring their devotees to read the Bible and pray seven times a day. Most Christians understand the passage to advocate lives shaped by the prayerful study of God’s Word. I’m in the second camp, but I am intrigued by the idea of a more objective measurement. And I am trying to imagine what it would look like to pastor in a setting where people read the Bible and prayed seven times a day. I’d be thrilled with twice!

A Movie Rec: Though you may prefer seeing, It’s a Wonderful Life for the 2,162^nd time, I’m recommending Sully. But there’s a catch: you need to read Steve Garber’s comments about the movie first. His insights will help you see it less as the heroics of one man, and more as an illustration of the way our habits shape our life. Both the movie, and Steve’s reflections on it, are worth your time.

Prayer Request:  This is the month when Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Merle Haggard’s If We Make It Through December do battle. As I noted last week, please notice, pray for and help those humming the second.

Dates, Worms and Lights: The story is told of a monk who woke up hungry in the middle of the night. After lighting a candle, he reached into a bowl of dates next to his bed, picked up one and took a bite of it. Glancing down at the half that remained, he noticed a worm, so he threw the date away. He took another. Took another bite. Held it to the candle, noticed another worm and threw it away. He took another. Same. Another. Same. Finally, frustrated, he blew out the candle.

Words: In December I profile various publications’ nominees for “word of the year.” I recently learned that NT Wright does something related – though as might be expected, he does something more insightful. After noting that oppressive groups – such as the Nazis – change the meaning of common words, he notes those words whose definitions are being co-opted.

Capitalism and Faith: Capitalism offers societies a Faustian bargain – gain riches and freedom but lose stability, tradition and community. More and more are signing up, which has dramatically helped lower the levels of extreme poverty. Count me among those who think it the best economic model available to us. But…if capitalists are not shaped by humility, compassion and generosity things get ugly. Jesus was not kidding when he said, “the love of money leads to all sorts of evil.”

Without Comment: 

• According to Pew, the percentage of Americans believing that the federal government can be trusted “always or most of the time” fell from 73 percent during the Eisenhower administration to 17 percent now.
• The total number of hours US adults spend on digital media has increased from 2.7 hrs./day in 2008 to 6.5 in 2018.
• Although only 3% of its population is Christian, China will soon be home to the world’s largest Christian population.

• In this Atlantic piece, Julia Cho notes what has been lost since we moved away from land-lines. It’s worth noting, a similar thing happened when central heating meant the family didn’t need to gather around the hearth. Everyone could go to their own room and stay warm.

• In this blog post, Kirk Durston reflects on the predictions Oxford social anthropologist J.D. Urwin made nearly 100 years ago. Though he was writing thirty years before this country’s sexual revolution, he made predictions about what would happen during the three generations after many embraced “sexual freedom.”

• Finally, in this WSJ piece, provocatively titled, “Do Not Believe in God? Lie to Your Children,” Erica Komisar argues that “declining interest in religion” is leading to the spike in child and adolescent anxiety.

Closing Prayer: We pray you, Lord, purify our hearts that we may be worthy to become your dwelling-place. Let us never fail to find room for you, but come and abide in us, that we also may abide in you, for at this time you were born into the world for us, and live and reign, King of kings and Lord of lords, now and forever. Amen. William Temple (1881-1944)

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. 

Psalm 119:105

We need light to avoid stumbling in the dark; we need Scripture to avoid stumbling in the dark world.

Fear and the Future: I say little about politics because most people are either exhausted by the topic or exhausted by those talking about it. And yet…we cannot do nothing. As Christ-followers we are citizens of the City of God AND citizens of the City of Man. Some things must be said about the second. In the spirit of Richard John Neuhaus – whose journal First Things assumed that politics is downstream from culture, and culture is downstream from faith, so we need to promote faith in order to civilize politics – let me encourage you with this: 1) Avoid arguments and appeals shaped by fear, greed or hate; and 2) remain sober-minded about what government can do. Romans 13 (and other passages) remind us that only God can satisfy and save.

2019 Redux: It’s time for year-end collections of best this, most notable that, and person, place or thing of the year. Not all such entries are interesting, but others say a lot about the last twelve months.

• The language mavens at Merriam-Webster chose the personal pronoun “they” as their word of the year.
• The most downloaded Bible verse among YouVersion’s 400 million users is Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

 
Jesus is the Old Testament:  Last week’s sermon on Christ in the Old Testament generated an unusual amount of response, most from people surprised at how often Jesus intrudes into the Hebrew Scriptures. You can hear, watch or read the sermon here. For my favorite book on the topic, see The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament, by Edmond Clowney.

Speaking of Sermons: Martin Lloyd Jones dismissed those long on information and those focused on application. “A lecturer aims for the first and a motivational speaker for the second.” Sermons are meant to lead to worship.

Without Comment:

• Medicaid paid the delivery cost for 42% of the 3.95 million babies born in the U.S. in 2016.
• Pitcher Gerrit Cole just signed a nine-year deal with the Yankees for $36M / year – or… $100K per day.

Dopamine Fasting in Silicon Valley: Discussions about technology addictions are not new – e.g., the Lilliputians noted that Gulliver was addicted to his watch. But the fear about it is growing. Indeed, as this NYT article notes, some Silicon Valley technophiles now periodically unplug from everything in an effort to engage in a “dopamine fast.” As with other self-improvement fads, the scientific community offers mixed reactions. I highlight this to note how religiously shaped all of life is. Every day The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and 10,000 other publications are full of articles about fasting, sabbath, forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, justice, and a dozen other profoundly religious ideas.

Prayer Requests: A few of us enjoy Christmases worthy of Disney, Mayberry, Normal-Rockwell or hallmark. Most do not. As a young pastor, I came to realize that many people barely survive December. It fosters a toxic confluence of high expectations, time for reflection, extended family and alcohol. Please pray for – and be gracious towards – all those who might be limping through the end of the year.

Quotes Worth ReQuoting: Do you want to know what the character of God is like? Study Jesus. Do you want to know what the holiness of God is like? Study Jesus. Do you want to know what the wrath of God is like? Study Jesus. Do you want to know what the forgiveness of God is like? Study Jesus. Do you want to know what the glory of God is like? Study Jesus all the way to that wretched cross. Study Jesus. D. A. Carson

Crazy Times: As I write this: the House is debating impeachment; Britain is voting on Brexit; Hong Kong is a powder keg; the Israelis have failed (again) to form a government – all that without mentioning India, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan or North Korea. Phil. 4:16 may be the verse of the year again in 2020.

Closing Prayer: Most loving Lord, Give me a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; An unconquered heart, which no hardship can wear out; An upright heart, which no worthless purpose can ensnare. Give me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, and a faithfulness that will finally embrace you; Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 

Psalm 119:67

We can learn much about ourselves, God and life via suffering. For starters, we can learn what matters. But in order to do so, we must reflect.

Navigating Change: Much is changing. And much of the change feels like a threat. Count me among those who’d like to slow down the delta. Of course, that isn’t going to happen. And so we look to God’s Word to see things via His perspective, and we also look back in order to learn how to look ahead. A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a 1923 article in which church leaders were complaining about the disruption and ruin being caused by new technology. It was undermining the church. It was changing everything. It was bad. It was… the radio.

Another Angle on Change: I spent some of this week at a gathering outside of Portland, where Christian leaders have been asked to listen and learn from “voices outside our tribe.” It has been stretching and disruptive. I trust good will come of it. But, per the previous entry, I’m too old to put disruptive and fun in the same sentence. And then, as I was thinking about the presentations I had heard, I read this tweet from Tim Keller: In 2000 years, we’ve never learned how to do mission in a place that was post-Christian rather than pre-Christian. If you’re in ministry, it’s going to take all of your life to help the church figure out how to do this.

Learning to be Served: Christ’s model of washing his disciples’ feet is a clear call to serve. In fact, though I do believe we should find ways to serve in the areas of our gifting, we must not be confused – the call of Christ is to do whatever is needed. Nothing is beneath us. It is with that in mind that I note that I have a particularly hard time getting people to…allow others to serve them. In the zip codes where I pastor, people want to be known as being strong and capable. They want to serve others. They do not want to receive help. As a result, when they are hurting, they hide. And when that happens, everyone loses.

Cause, Community and Corporation: When people ask how the church is doing, I ask what they’re asking. The church is a mission (the cause); a group of people (the community), and an organization (the corporation). No one is excited about the third, but it’s often what they ask about. And it’s worth noting, if the corporate side is mismanaged, both the cause and the community suffer. I share this because many knock the image of a pastor as CEO. I understand why. But their point can be overstated. And – as Carey Nieuwhof notes in this article – for all the positive vibes the image shepherd-leader may conjure, shepherds tend to be a bit rough around the edges and also autocratic leaders.

Futurum versus Adventus:  Fifty years ago, German theologian Jurgen Moltmann made an important distinction between two Latin words – futurum and adventus. The first is the projection of trends. It assumes today is pregnant with tomorrow. The second argues for something quite different. It believes outside forces will change the trends. Advent hope is not grounded in positive trend lines but in the belief in “outside forces.” It is the belief that a faithful God will show up as promised. To put a finer point on it, Advent affirms that He who showed up as a baby will return again in power.
Quotes Worth ReQuoting: “Many former ‘sins’ have become ‘crimes’ so that responsibility for dealing with them has passed from church to state – from priest to policeman. Others have dissipated into sickness, or at least into symptoms of sickness so that in their case, punishment has been replaced by treatment. A third convenient device called ‘collective responsibility’ has  enabled us to transfer the blame from some of our deviant behavior as individuals to society as a whole or to a specific group in society.” Karl Menninger, as cited in John Stott’s book, The Cross of Christ.

Closing Prayer:  I am not worthy, Master and Lord, that you should come beneath the roof of my soul; yet since in your love toward all, you wish to dwell in me, in boldness I come. You command; open the gates, which you alone have made. And you will come in, and enlighten my darkened reasoning. I believe that you will do this; for you did not send away the harlot who came to you with tears, nor cast out the repenting tax-collector, nor reject the thief who acknowledged your kingdom. But you counted all of these as members of your band of friends. You are blessed forevermore. Amen. (John Chrysostom, 347 – 407)

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.

Psalm 119:29

Some highlight parts of the Bible they cannot accept. As Christ-followers, we should allow the Bible to highlight the parts of our life that it declares unacceptable.
The Golden Triangle: A recent study suggests that Americans have a favorable view of religion, but that they want it out of politics. And yet…they want values in society. Hmm. Values based on what? Their opinion? The mood of the moment? Hollywood movies? The views of the local school board? In this article, Os Guinness explains the genius of the American system, and what is required for freedom and civility to last.

The General Survey:  There are surveys, and then there are SURVEYS. The University of Chicago’s Annual Survey – which was started in 1972 – ranks among the latter. The graphs in this brief article about this year’s results are quite telling. It’s obvious: some things are changing and other things are not.

The Literal Definition of Literal:  I’m occasionally asked if I read the Bible literally.  The question is often a setup. Those on the left ask it with a sneer: “You are not such an idiot as to read the Bible literally, are you?”  Those on the right ask it while flashing their Bible-Sheriff badge. “Don’t you read the Bible literally?” They appear to hope I’ll say, “No,” so they can scream, “I knew it. I knew you were a liberal. I knew it all along.” I’ve learned to avoid both groups by responding, “Do I read the Bible literally? Well I guess that depends, what is your literal definition of literal?”

Foles 2.0:  In light of the positive comments generated by last week’s Nick Foles’ clip, here is a second one. This time he’s not explaining how to trust God when things are going wrong, he is calmly calling a trick play…on 4^th down…in the Red Zone…with a yard to go…in the 2017 Super Bowl. Oh that we were all so cool.

Change: As a management consultant, I frequently referenced the equation: F1 > F2 = SQ.  It meant, if the fear of change is greater than the fear of not changing, the Status Quo will prevail.  After I cited this equation, management teams would either explore ways to defang the fear of change, or talk about ways to elevate the fear of not changing, or both.  I have been thinking about this equation a lot lately, only not in the context of organizations. I’ve been thinking about it more in terms of a person’s life.  What is fear keeping you from doing?

What to Watch: I was overwhelmed with recommendations for things to watch. I have seen only a few of these. I am passing them along – without comment – in alphabetical order. I am also deciding not to do a “what to watch.” If we come across something we want to recommend, I’ll do so. But, I’ve decided not to be your TV/movie guide. The Recs from Others:  30 by 30 (ESPN), The Art of Racing in the Rain, Chernobyl, Driving Miss Daisy, Ford v. Ferrari, Glory Gran Torino, Ground Hog Day, Harriet, Hoosiers, In the Heat of the Night, Inside Bill’s Brain, The Way, To Kill a Mockingbird, Red Sea Diving Resort, Return to Me, Right Now Media Resources, Schindler’s List, Signs, Stand By Me, The Queen of Katwe. One more rec from us: The Band of Brothers. Sheri and I really enjoyed the Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg adaptation of Steven Ambrose’s novel about Easy Company – from their induction through the War’s end.

So, what is the Literal Definition of Literal?  The word literal comes from the Latin word litera, which means letter. To interpret something literally means you pay attention to the letters. To interpret the Bible literally means the normal rules of grammar, speech, syntax and context apply. I believe the Bible is a very special book – indeed that it is God’s Word. But that doesn’t change how it is read. Nouns are still nouns. Verbs are still verbs. The first job of the reader is to figure out what the writer meant. (For more on this, read “Hermeneutics: The Science of Interpretation,” in R.C. Sproul’s 1977 book, Knowing Scripture.

By the Way, Happy New Year: I can imagine that some of you are thinking I am rushing things. Don’t we need to get through Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and our culture’s other high holy days first? No. The church calendar begins with Advent- the time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. This year Advent begins on December 1. Happy New Year.

Closing Prayer: O Lord God, most merciful Father and Savior. Seeing it has pleased you to command us to labor that we may relieve our need, we ask for your grace to bless our labors, that your blessing may extend unto us, without which we are not able to continue, and that this great favor may be a witness to us of your bountifulness and assistance, so that we may know the fatherly care that you have over us. Moreover O Lord, we ask you to strengthen us with your Holy Spirit, that we may faithfully work in our vocations without fraud or deceit, and that we may follow your holy laws, rather than seek to satisfy our greedy affections or desire of gain. And if it pleases you, O Lord, to prosper our labors, Give us a mind also to help those in need, according to the ability that your mercy may give us; And knowing that all good things come from you, grant that we may humble ourselves to our neighbors, and not lift ourselves above those who may not have received so liberal a portion of your mercy as you have given to us. Hear us O Lord of mercy, through Jesus Christ. Amen. (A Puritan Prayer from the 1800s)

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 

Psalm 119:9

Few forces are as powerful and relentless as culture – it quietly shapes our perceptions, conversations and convictions. Indeed, it shapes our heart, mind and soul. Is there any counterbalance? Is there anything that might mold us in healthier ways? Yes, the Word of God. But only…if we read, study and apply it.
The Word of God is stronger than culture, but it only “works” if we work it so deeply into our affections that it shapes our loves, hopes and imagination. Jesus was the preeminent example of this. In his darkest moments – while betrayed, mocked and killed – He quoted Scripture. If you are going to be more profoundly shaped by the Word of God than by culture, it must richly dwell within you. Does it?

Patrick Henry on the Bible: Though famous for a different quote, Henry’s comments to a friend shortly before his death are more apropos of Psalm 119: “Here,” he said, holding up the Bible, “is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed: yet it is my misfortune never to have found time to read it, with the proper attention and feeling, till lately. I trust in the mercy of heaven, that it is not yet too late.”

Chick-fil-A:  I am disappointed in Chick-fil-A’s decision to stop donating to the Salvation Army, but not surprised. We should not expect a corporation to be a moral North Star. What I mostly am, however, is staggered. Somehow a group with a century-long track record of helping anyone in need has been labeled a hate group. All for holding views embraced by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ten years ago. How illiberal will society get?

Marijuana: Last weekend’s message was designed to answer the question, “When Pot is legal in Illinois – which will happen on January 1 – is it OK for Christians to light up?” You can access my talk here.  And you can click here to access the marijuana parent toolkit which was prepared by one of the panelists who participated in a related public forum we held Sunday evening.

Marijuana Versus the iPhone: As an aside, one of the more disturbing take-aways for me, came from the Dean of Discipline at a local Middle School. Although he thinks weed is a huge problem – and that legalizing it is a mistake – he said to me, “I’d be willing to give every student in school a joint if I could take away their iPhone.”

What to Watch: I’m occasionally asked for movie (TV, HBO, Netflix, etc.) recommendations. I seldom have anything to suggest, partly because we do not watch much; partly because there is little to endorse; and partly because we are generally six months behind the times. But I do have recs from time to time. Sheri and I both enjoyed the Netflix documentary Magnus, about a charismatic Norwegian chess prodigy. BTW, if you have any recs for us – or for readers of The Friday Update – send them my way.

The 6, 8, 10 Principle: In Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Leroy Eims develops what he calls his 6, 8, 10 principles. In a helpful way, Eims suggests that we learn to ask three questions before making ethical decisions. I Cor. 6:12 leads us to ask, Is X helpful, or will it pull me down?; I Cor. 8:12f sets up the question, How will X affect others? And finally, I Cor. 10:31, leads to the last question, Does X glorify God?

Nick Foles on Faith: Many athletes thank God after their teams win. Not all do so when their teams lose – or when they get hurt. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Nick Foles is thoughtful in good times and bad. Here is a three-minute clip worth watching. May his tribe increase.

Why is T-Day so Popular? Thanksgiving is the holiday favorite of many. Why? If you pay attention, you know that our calendars are littered with National This Day and National That Week. What makes T-day stand out? Are we collectively that interested in what a group of Pilgrims did 400 years ago? I do not think so. So why does T-Day rank so high? Is it the football game on in the background? No. Is it the turkey itself? Probably not. I’m in the camp that thinks a few things make T-day America’s Number Two Holiday: the ritual, the family and the mandate to rehearse blessings. This week’s Washington Post ran a reflective post that says as much. You can access it here.

Closing Prayer: O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving Father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins…Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word; make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life, Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom Thou has appointed to rule us in church & state.  Continue Thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions, I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept and answer for the sake of Thy Dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. (George Washington)

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here and I will show you what must take place.”

The Apostle John

In Revelation 4, John tells us that Christ commanded him to “come up and see what was going to take place.” What follows is a nearly twenty chapter vision that is mysterious, horrific, confusing, grotesque and sublime. It’s also profoundly helpful. How? Two ways. First, whatever else John’s readers make of his report from heaven, they are reminded that Jesus wins. They may be suffering – and the letter makes it clear that their trials will increase – but only for a time. Jesus wins! Jesus wins! Jesus wins! In the end, the Lamb that was slain will triumph over every evil and those who place their faith in Him will attend a glorious heavenly banquet in His honor. Second, the view from above is very different than the view from the ground. We need to remember that. Perspective is everything.

Istanbul:  The reason I’ve been reading Revelation, is because I’ve been on a tour of the Seven Churches (Rev. 2 and 3). As you may know, the ruins of these cities where they lie are sprinkled along the West coast of Turkey (Asia Minor). If you are among the many who asked me if it was safe to travel here, I will say to you the same thing I tell my Middle Eastern friends who ask me if it’s safe to return to Chicago. Press reports can be misleading.

My Last Kanye Comment (for now):  Barring something unforeseen, I will not say more about Kanye for many months. I do so this week only because I resonated with much (though not all) of what Kevin Williamson had to say in this National Review piece. And I also found Fox correspondent (and former Catholic priest) Jonathan Morris’s seven minute video (and companion piece) instructive. Be ready. Kayne will disappoint. This should not surprise us. And it doesn’t mean he is insincere. It’s just a reminder that our faith needs to rest in Christ and not in the faith of someone else. And by the way, It’s not just Kanye that will stumble. You will as well. And so will the guy I watch shave. He has a long run of stupid and selfish actions.

You Should Be In Training: As I mentioned last week, we need to be in training for November 28th. I’m not suggesting you practice over-eating. (Most of us are remarkably good at that already). I mean, we need to be noticing all we have to be thankful for. Giving thanks is an encouragement to those receiving it, beneficial to the one offering it, and a command from heaven. Remember, joy can be learned. Stop right now and list ten things you are thankful about. (And if you did this last week, make it a different ten).

Benjamin Franklin on George Whitfield:  If you have not read Franklin’s comments about British evangelist, George Whitfield, you are missing out. In this account, Whitfield moves a cynical Franklin to empty his pockets in support of the orphanage Whitfield is building. In this article, the author explores Franklin’s claim that an unamplified Whitfield could be heard by 30,000 people at a time.

Living Together > Marriage: About five years ago, the number of single adults living in America surpassed the number of married. Reports out this week note that we just crossed a related benchmark: there are now more Americans who have lived with a romantic partner than have married one. You can read the reports yourself. I will simply note, this trend is happening in spite of the evidence, not because of it – i.e., claims that living together is a good idea, or that it helps couples determine compatibility for marriage – are not true.  The data shows that living together has longer-term deleterious effects on people. Several years ago, I gave a talk on this topic. My notes are available here.

Be Still Our Souls:  One response to all the confusion and noise of our age is the classic call to silence. There are reasons for this. O. David Taylor writes, “In silence, we are confronted with God’s voice, a voice that we often drown out for fear of being found out or found wanting. In silence, we are judged for our desperate need to fill up our lives with frenzied activity. In silence, we discover that we are not ultimately in control; we are weak and vulnerable and awfully in need of God’s grace.” I am late to discovering the joys of silence. It’s now one of the more precious parts of my day.

Closing Prayer: Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intellect to understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen Benedict (480-543)

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Psalm 116:12

It is worth noting the word “return”. It reminds us that everything on the asset side of our ledger is a gift from God, and — as Kyper so eloquently notes with his line, “There is not one square inch in the entire universe about which Jesus Christ does not say “Mine!” — God retains all rights. We are stewards, temporarily entrusted with His stuff, and expected to invest it in ways consistent with His teaching.

Time to Start Counting:  Speaking of His goodness to us, Thanksgiving will soon be here. It’s time to focus on how much we have to be grateful for. Make a list. It will change your mood.

Our Collective Mental Health: A team from Christ Church has been meeting to discuss how to leverage the small grant we received to study mental health. For me, these discussions put faces on the grim statistics I often cite in this post – e.g., Deaths of Despair, the epidemic of loneliness, etc. As a pastor, I interface with those struggling with mental illness every day. And chances are, so do you.

Kanye Take 2: Last week I noted that America’s most prominent public theologian deserves both: 1) the benefit of the doubt, and 2) our prayers. I want to double down on the second. The trajectories of other celebrities who have declared faith in Christ – Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash come to mind– suggest bumps ahead. (Kanye likely has been told this.) In one of the cuts – Hands On – he says that Christians will be the first to judge him. The song ends with a request for prayer: “Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me.”

Quotes Worth Requoting:

• The antagonism between life and conscience may be removed either by a change of life or by a change of conscience. Leo Tolstoy
• When you want to hide is actually when you have the greatest need for Community. John Ortberg

• Why do we expect life to be easy? The Bible does not suggest that it will be hard even for those seeking to follow Christ, it suggests that life will be especially hard for those who do. It was for Jesus. No one started higher or descended further than He did. And He told us to expect related challenges. Soldiers endure hardship, athletes face discipline, and farmers must toil. We should not expect the Christian life to be easy.
• How would the person I wish to be, act today?

• Today’s culture is the most sexualized in the modern era – and yet, it is also the most lonely.
• The stock market is over 27,000; unemployment is at near historic lows, and interest rates are in the basement. Even the fiercest advocates of capitalism do not think things are going well.

Closing Prayer:  God, I want your guidance and direction in all I do. Let your wisdom counsel me, your hand lead me, and your arm support me. I put myself into your hands. Breathe into my soul holy and heavenly desires. Conform me to your own image. Make me like my Savior. Enable me in some measure to live here on earth as he lived, and to act in all things as he would have acted. Ashton Oxeden (1808-1892)