White Noise

You've heard the term "white noise," haven't you? It's the soundtrack of everyday living. For those living in the city it is the constant sound of traffic outside the office window or the whirr of a copy machine just down the hallway. Country-dwellers have white noise, too. It's the sounds of the birds chirping and dogs barking and log trucks driving too fast down the country road.

White noise is the sound of rain or surf or wind. Beautiful sounds that have become so commonplace that we miss it. Sounds have become distractions - good or bad - that keep us from hearing much of anything with clarity...even the white noise.

Let's slow down a little and sift through the noise so we can hear the sounds. You'll hear someone compliment you. You'll hear someone ask for help. You'll hear God's creation going about life. You'll hear your kids laugh. You might even hear yourself think!

The soundtrack to everyday living is really a beautiful sound...if we'll just listen rather than try to drown it out with more sounds.

Obama's Stimulus Package

Hooray for the House Republicans! Not one of them voted for Obama’s $790B stimulus package. I’m glad they had the strength to do it and I hope their constituents realize what heroes they are.

Boo for all but seven House Democrats! Only seven had the courage to stand against the administration. Two hundred forty-six Democrats voted in lock-step with Obama’s “bipartisan” coalition.

Unfortunately, political maneuvering was more popular among the elected than economic strategy. But in the end, economy will suffer because of this and the politicians will be rewarded/punished by the voters according to today’s vote. So we can be hopeful that the politics that divide (i.e., liberalism) will once again go into hibernation. We can only hope it occurs soon – say, the 2010 mid-term Congressional election and the 2012 Presidential election.

The only hope that the stimulus package will not pass is in the hands of the Senate, which votes later today. Not much hope, huh? But the Democrats will need help from three Republicans for it to pass. Come on, Senate Republicans, vote no!

Obama's Stimulus Package

My undergraduate degree is in Economics and Finance. That does not make me an expert but it does give me a level of understanding and historical context. The Keynesian economic model is the one being pursued by the new administration. The idea is for the government to spend more money as a way to grow the economy. History has shown that this results in inflation, a devaluing currency, and little else. On the flip side, the economy can thrive when businesses are given the incentive to expand. Tax relief to corporations of all sizes, shapes, and colors will result in more jobs, more people working, working people making more money, more money being spent in the economic cycle.

The well-used proverb is correct: give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime. Adapted to our current "stimulating" situation: give a person money he did not earn and he needs another one tomorrow. That is also a cycle; one of dependence upon the government. A friend of mine was describing a recent disaster out of which people were “forced” to steal diapers and baby formula. The friend’s answer to the problem was the government: “If you can’t trust your government to take care of you, who can you trust?”

The Lord?

Peter wrote in his first letter to struggling believers: “Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5: 7) Jesus said that he would be able to identify believers by their benevolence toward those in need – not the government’s benevolence but the individual’s benevolence. The Bible also tells us that a motive of love is the mark of Christ-followers.

The answer to the needs of people around us is for believers to faithfully tithe and for churches to use those funds in local and global ministry. The government can help by greasing the wheels of the economic engine by enticing businesses to expand. The free market economy will right itself; there’s no need to panic. Just be faithful to the Lord and his church.

Doing What We Ought To Do

Motivation is getting people to do what they ought to be doing. Nobody has to motivate me to eat the second piece of pie. Nobody has to be motivated to do anything they want to do or find easy to do. Motivation, however, moves people toward what they ought to do.

Why are people reluctant to do what they should but don’t want to do? I’ve only lived 44 years so I can’t speak with certainty, but it sure seems like just in my lifetime people in America have turned more and more selfish. Decisions are based upon selfish desires rather than upon what ought to be. If a person can benefit from doing something that might hurt others or by not doing something that would benefit others, then that’s the choice many will make.

How many times have you found that what is good for the individual actually harms the group. We have to start looking at what is best for others. Listen to the words Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Two important issues come out of these words. First, don’t be selfish. It is proper to think about what affect your actions may have on someone else. Second, you must still think about yourself but in balance with your concern for others.

So, in order for one to do what he ought to do, he must be motivated. Motivation can come from within; it’s just knowing what is right and doing it. Motivation can come from the beneficiary. The person in need acts to compel you to do what you ought to do. Motivation can also come from a third party. A pastor sees a need and wants to mobilize his church to meet the need. Leadership is the key to motivating like this. Hopefully, our spirits connect with the Spirit of God and we are internally motivated to do what we ought to do. Hopefully, we act mercifully toward those in need having been motivated by their plea. Hopefully, churches have leaders who, like Jesus, can move them to do what ought to be done.

Factors such as selfishness, greed, envy, or guilt are not valid. But such things as love, goodness, kindness, and mercy are valid. The Golden Rule especially applies here: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12 NIV).

Words

Riley got in trouble today. He said a little rhyme that makes fun of people. He may not even realize it, but the words are hurtful.

He's just trying to be cute but he has to realize that he can't say just anything he wants. There are consequences to our words and actions.

Some things are just wrong. Nothing can justify it. I try to excuse it when I say or do something wrong; I guess it's human nature. But it's still wrong.

We can all do better. Today is a good day because we've learned something.

Winners and Losers

In a game of winners and losers, there really are no winners. To gain at the expense of another is selfish. To brag of it is arrogance. To celebrate it is childish.

According to msnbc.com, as the video screens projected the image of President George W. Bush, boos could be heard among the masses in Washington today. When the helicopter taking now-former President Bush to Andrews Air Force Base for his flight home to Texas, the crowds cheered his exit and some sang, “Na-na-na-nah, na-na-na-nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye."

What Americans should celebrate today is the great freedom this country affords each citizen. The election of Barack Obama illustrates this feature of our country. His inauguration demonstrates to the world how a country can peacefully transition power from one leader to another.

The family of five (Why weren’t the kids in school?) at IHOP this morning was rushing the waitress and eating at a frantic pace. At 11:00 they jumped up and headed for the door. The mother looked at me and said, “We have to get home and get in front of the TV!” I hated to tell her that it would be too late to see the swearing in of the forty-fourth president and to hear his inaugural address. So I just smiled and nodded. I really don’t think they cared; they had won.

Does the non-white community think they have lost every other election? If white people are supposed to accept Obama as the president of all the people, why haven’t they been able to accept the forty-three white presidents as the presidents of all the people?

What was once in a melting pot is now being strained and separated. Instead of being one people and one culture, we are a country of separate identities; President Obama called us a “patchwork.” And the truth is that each segment sees itself as a minority in some way and is fighting to be heard. Seems like if we were all one people and one culture there would be no minority; there would be one voice, one need, one solution.

Conservative politics and economic policy is concerned with (and in the past has proven effective at) helping every American obtain a better way of life by extending opportunity and creating an atmosphere of optimism. Liberal politics and economic policy is about advantage: winners and losers.

I believe the greatest problem facing the USA is spiritual. President Obama said in his address today that “we are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.” No wonder there is conflict! Of the five groups, Christians are the only ones who want everyone to be winners – by placing faith in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament book of Galatians, a letter to Christians living in Asia Minor in the mid-first century, Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Christianity does not discriminate. People who claim to be Christians may discriminate, and that is wrong. But Jesus embraces all who will come.

The reason the greatest problem we face is spiritual is because our country is not a Christian nation. Maybe it never was. At least in recent generations the commitment to and expansion of Christianity has been such that religions with other answers to spiritual questions have gained a foothold. So instead of being one in Christ, we are separate. And separation begets winners and losers.

America needs another Great Awakening. It is time for Christian – true Christians – to pray and to take the message to the streets.

In politics it is easy to create a false sense of “winning.” But it is always at the expense of the losers. And in such cases, the country loses. Fiscal budgets and legislative bills can no more bring us together than can bombing our enemies or building bridges to tomorrow (all of these are important in a nation’s life). But the Bible can bring us together so that we are winners.

Just in Time

 

I just returned from a mad dash to the bank. The deposit has to be in by 2:00 to count as today’s business. We have car payments drafting today so it was mandatory I make it in time.

Today is one of my favorite kinds of days. A wintry mix is falling from the sky! Mostly freezing rain. The air temp must be well below zero because the ice on the pine trees is beautiful. The roads were just wet; that was good! I did not have time to drive slow. I stayed with the speed limit, but I had to get there on time. A minute late would really cost us!

That reminds me of God’s call to each of us to come to Christ. We have time now to respond and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. But that time will come to an end – and we don’t know when! But when Jesus returns with those who have gone on before us, when he gathers those who are still alive, when he establishes his millennial reign…then it will be too late. (Those of you who do not agree with my historical premillennial sequence, please forgive me.)

The point is, no matter which view of the end times you adhere to, time ends and along with it, the opportunity to come to Christ. It’s like getting the deposit to the bank at 2:01. It’s too late!

There are so many people around us who are not Christ followers. They are still lost in their sin. They are on the clock. It’s up to me and you to share the truth of scripture with them so that they may come to Christ – even at the last minute – and escape perishing eternally.

By the way, my deposit receipt is stamped “1:58.”

Snowing in Ekaterinburg

I checked weather.com and saw that it is 12 degrees F in Ekaterinburg, Russia. When I shared the news with Riley, he said, “It’s always snowing there.” That’s not always true but I’m thrilled he thinks so naturally of Ekat. Our family will probably spend lots of time there during his school years. He can’t wait ‘til he can go.

Deana and I are going with a few others from church in April. This will be an exploratory trip to establish a plan for long-term missions there to plant a church. Not a good trip for an 8-year old. (Yes, Riley is now 8!) But we’ll try to plan future trips so that Riley (and other kids) can go.

We’ll go in the spring when the snow cover has melted and the beauty is beginning to come through. We’ll go in the summer when we can enjoy the wonderful green mountain scenery. We’ll go in the fall to see the beautiful birch trees with golden leaves. We’ll go in the winter when the temperature hovers near zero. And it’s always snowing there!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus

The Love Dare

I asked for the book “The Love Dare” for Christmas. Deana and I have a good marriage but it can be better and I don’t want it to go bad; that’s why I asked for the book. I know that some people think that couples who are not having trouble don’t need the book, but from the first 2 days, I think it will be good to strengthen marriages that are doing OK. Having blown it once before, I think anything someone can do to make sure marriage lasts is a good thing.
So far, “love is patient” and “love is kind” have been the basis of my assignments. I’m fairly patient but not very kind. I’m pushed into new territory already! What will the next 38 days hold in store? I’m guessing I’ll be a different man by Valentine’s Day.

2009 To Do List

1. Implement the “Love Dare”
2. Teach Riley to ride his bicycle
3. Add to Deana’s bracelet
4. Spend more time doing photography
5. Complete three seminars and one workshop in DMin work
6. Take a day off each week
7. Make ten personal visits each week
8. Lose 100 pounds
9. Start a quarterly planned preaching method

What an idea!

Sandra Kirk with Fox 16 News in Little Rock just reported that bars in the River Market in Little Rock (and other areas of central Arkansas) are paying Yellow Cab to take drunks home on New Year’s Eve.

Matt Hogue, the general manager of the Flying Saucer, said this is a cheap way to get people home safe. Apparently, he doesn’t intend to get them home sober, though. He also said it was less liability for the bars. Did you hear that? He wants the people to come into his bar, get wasted, then get home safely so he won’t be held responsible.

David Wages with Yellow Cab explained that the ride is free to the drunk, up to $25, but only from participating establishments. With a grin he said that the “patron” gets a safe ride home plus when they wake up in the morning they know where their car is. How do they know? Because the bar put the “patron’s” keys in an envelope and the driver gives it to him when he takes him home. How do they plan to explain the tattoo or the STD or the empty wallet?

Kirk reported that bartenders said they had to wait for cabs last year because so many people were using this service. Anchor Kevin Kelly said it was great that the program is available year-round so people can “take advantage” of it.

What happened to the biblical principle of not being controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit? What happened to the biblical principle of looking out for others? What has happened to decency?

Picking up after Christmas

That was fast! As I get older the Christmas schedule gets more cluttered and each stop shorter and shorter. Zig Zigler says “love” is spelled “T-I-M-E.” Seems like we’ve lost that. Now it’s time to put away the decorations and take down the two strands of outside lights. The garbage can is stuffed and so am I.

But think about the reason for Christmas. It marks the birth of Jesus; the coming of the Messiah. Before his birth the world was locked in a period of God’s silence. But, from the world’s perspective, things really started to pick up after that first Christmas. Now there was hope and the promise of eternal life.

The winter solstice was just a few days ago, and although we face several weeks of cold and gray days (days I really like, by the way), we know that Spring and new life are on the way. Each day is getting longer and more daylight fills each day. Everything – nature, spiritual realities – is picking up after Christmas.

The first Christmas was the end of nine months of pregnancy for Mary and Joseph. But as any parents know, the birth of their child does not mark the end but the beginning. Seems that now days Christmas marks the end of a holiday season when it should really remind us of the beginning of hope and joy.

For me, things are really picking up after Christmas.

Ice Days

Today is Day 2 of Riley’s days off from school due to the ice storm. Yesterday was understandable because the roads were pretty bad in some out of the way places and the temperature never broke the freezing mark. But today? I don’t get it.

We spoke with a teacher from the district yesterday – in Wal-Mart, the roads weren’t that bad! She said that Friday was the end of the semester and she is trying to get to the end of a teaching unit so they don’t have to carry it over through the Christmas break. She also said that the higher grades were trying to get in their semester tests. Needless to say, one day off (much less, two) is an inconvenience.

Life isn’t always about what is convenient, though. How we react to inconveniences really says a lot about what is within us. Peace and patience should rule the day; but when agitation and complaining characterize our response, we have an inner problem. When Paul said he could do anything through Christ who gave him strength, he was talking about facing the inconveniences or difficulties in life. He knew he could handle it because of Christ within him, not because of any other inner source of strength.

So the ice may cause some inconveniences in your normal routine. That’s OK, you can handle it. Today is a good opportunity to practice the right attitude.

Christmas Time

“Nothing says ‘Happy Holidays’ like the smell of turkey coming from the oven.” That’s what she read in the cookbook. “She” is the lady in the movie who is trying to cook Christmas dinner for the first time.

 

I’m thinking that “Merry Christmas” or “Jesus Loves You” might be better than the smell of a turkey. Seems like we’ve lost track of what is really important. Don’t get me wrong, I love turkey and dressing. I enjoy the holiday food as much as anyone. But can’t we at least give credit where credit is due? Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Life is empty, without direction, and hopeless without Jesus.

 

Leave off the turkey and what do you get? Chicken, pork, beef. Perhaps just a vegetable plate. But you still can have a holiday meal. Leave off Jesus and what do you get? Everlasting punishment separated from God in a place of eternal suffering called hell.

 

Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

Merry Christmas.

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.

1.    My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

2.    My wife, Deana

3.    My boys: Jim, Caleb, Riley

4.    My family

5.    My church: Cross Road Baptist Church

6.    My friends

7.    My health

And so much more. Thank you, Lord, for you blessings.

Keep up with Election Returns

Clinton's Threat

Did you hear what Bill Clinton said while he was in Arkansas earlier this week? He said Obama was going to win the election and Arkansans better vote for Obama if we didn’t want to be left out. I wonder, “Left out of what?”

One possible answer is that Arkansas would be left out of the list of states that elect Obama, if he wins. With the current electoral college system used to elect presidents, Arkansas’ EC votes will go to whoever wins the popular vote on November 4. In that regard, if McCain wins Arkansas but Obama wins the election, then we would be left out of the list of Obama states.

Another possible answer, and I think this is the right answer, is that Arkansas would be left out of the preferential treatment a President Obama would give to those who supported him. That is the typical Washington politics that Obama claims he wants to change, but the most powerful Democrat of my lifetime (JFK died 6 months before I was born) clearly implied that a vote for Obama would be rewarded. Just like those perpetually on the welfare rolls are rewarded for a vote for the liberals. Just like the cultural elite are rewarded (by being allowed to continue to produce their Hollywood smut without regulation) for their support. Just like the media are rewarded for hitting Conservatives hard and lobbing softballs to Liberals. Liberals, of which Obama is king, claim to want to help people but in reality only want to empower themselves by exchanging favors for votes.

The “change we need” is a return to Christian values like respect and fairness, goodness and righteousness.

Obama and Socialism

Foxnews.com reports that Barack Obama told a plumber that he doesn’t want to view a tax increase as exactly that but rather as a way to spread the wealth around. That means to take from those who have and give it to those who do not have. I’m all for helping the poor and needy; it’s the Christian thing to do. But the problem is when those receiving the handout don’t really need it or have grown so accustomed to it that they refuse to earn a living any other way. The Bible says that if a many doesn’t work he doesn’t eat. Laziness is condemned in the Bible. Certainly, there are those who are not lazy but cannot work; they need help. But I’m afraid the welfare roll is burdened with people who are lazy and will not work.

Socialism is easily defined: spreading the wealth around. Nobody really succeeds and failure is disguised. In truth, everyone fails when nobody is allowed to succeed.

I believe the conservative economic policy is the best policy. When people are given the freedom to invest and build wealth, everyone benefits. I may never be the tycoon or mogul, probably won’t be. But I have a choice of jobs because of them. I have income from those jobs to provide for my family. I enjoy the innovations they discover. I don’t have to be in the upper tier to enjoy the growth. I don’t have to get the tax incentives to benefit from them. I just have to live in a capitalistic society that allows and fosters financial freedom so that – at the least – I can live comfortably.

Be alert when you hear “innocent” words like “spreading the wealth around.”

Working Out

I’ve been working out for a week because the sleep doctor explained how apnea affects so much more than just my sleep. For me, aggressive weight loss should help address many problems. So I’m doing it.

I’ve been lifting weights. I’m told that ten pounds of muscle will burn one pound a week just because it’s there.

I’ve been walking or riding the bike. Aerobics are not as important at this point as losing weight but aerobics will help some and at least I’ll be in the habit.

I’ve been eating less. That’s the hard part. Do you know how easy it is to drive through the fast food restaurant on the way home from the gym?

I haven’t seriously tried to lose weight in about 17 years. I haven’t worked out with weights in 25 years. But I like it. So maybe I’ll stay with it.

Presidential Election

So much is at stake with your vote on November 4. The choice American’s make will set the stage for drastic changes in the landscape of our country and her politics. These economic times require further conservative principles; abandoning them would keep the United States from rebounding and growing. Cutting taxes and reducing federal spending in tandem will strengthen the US economy by stimulating job creation, boosting consumer confidence, increasing the value of the dollar in world markets, stabilizing the financial markets at home and abroad, and increasing wealth across the board.

We do not need a government bailout. Instead, we need the government to get out and stay out of our pocketbooks so we can purchase and consume and save and invest. Many Americans are capable of managing their own money in regard to health care and retirement. Those who aren’t should be able to opt into a government program providing barebones necessities. But only the barebones, don’t reward them for being irresponsible by giving them top shelf benefits. Regardless of what you heard during the debate last night, health care is NOT a right in the democratic republic that is the United States. Maybe healthcare is a right in socialist/communist countries where poverty and oppression are also “rights” that all citizen can enjoy. But we are talking about America…where our spirit of achievement drives us to be great.

I am disappointed in our highest leaders: the one in office and the two running for office. In chorus, they and others said that the rescue/bailout bill had to been done quickly because the American and world economies hung in the balance. Now, almost a week later, the markets are still unsteady and the noise coming from them is that the recovering will not be quick. I don’t get it: we had to do something quick but it will take months for it to work? We need change.

Conservatives must respond. A few in the Congress have stood firm, but not enough. Those who abandoned or have always rejected conservative fiscal policy should be voted out and replaced with men and women who will minimize the role of the federal government and create an atmosphere of hope and promise that will foster financial recovery and expansion. The resulting rising economy will lift all Americans who are willing to participate. Those who aren’t will have their hands out wanting someone (you and me through direct contribution or taxation) to rescue/bailout them. Almost 80 years of entitlement-focused government has raised generations who believe they are entitled. Some are accused of being born with a silver spoon in their mouths and others demand one of their own. America is better than that.

What we need is a Great Awakening across the fifty states and we need it within the next four weeks. People dedicated to Jesus Christ will establish a society that will foster achievement, excellence, and compassion. The most compassionate act a person can do is to fish for men. And it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as more people go to heaven and fewer people go to hell, to quote Emil Turner.

The next is to teach people that fishing for fish is better than begging for fish. A great wave of dedication to Jesus Christ will do that. People will want to help others help themselves. People will want to be financially stable. This will relax the burden on the taxpayers and allow them to invest and create economic momentum.

The alternative is to reject conservative principles and increase the burden on the taxpayers resulting in less investment and economic stagnation or downturn. The economy is a spiral that either builds upon freedom to expand or collapses on restrictions and greed. A combination of restricting freedom and greed brought us to where we are today. Again, turning to Christ will effectively deal with the problem of greed; loving our neighbor will eliminate the perceived need for the government to pull money from the economy.

Even in difficult political and economic times, Jesus is the answer. Which candidate do you think will give us the opportunity to implement biblical principles in American politics?