"FREE" SPEECH

This has been an interesting month in the life of our country. The political season has begun early and the fallout from the comments of radio show host Don Imus has been overshadowed by the massacre at Virginia Tech university and the discussion of what media broadcast in the aftermath was ethical. From my perspective these issues and the previously discussed political correctness in this blog come down to free speech. In the United States of America one of the areas of pride is free speech. I'd also ask the question; "is speech free"? Another way of expressing the question is; "does irresponsible speech threaten freedom of speech as much as a tyrannical government"?

Having the freedom or right to express yourself is not the same from my perspective as expressing yourself because you have the right. The courts have ruled that pornography is an expression of speech, so protected, the same view for burning the American flag. There are also words that cause a violent reaction, many times due to race, gender or some other group that is offended. In the case of Don Imus it was race and gender when he called the women's basketball team from Rutgers "nappy headed ho's". He was promptly fired from his job. Did he and should he have the right to say it? YES, from a freedom of speech position. Did he or should he have enough respect for them to willingly not say it? Yes, he ultimately did after apologizing to them, but didn't have enough self-discipline to willingly not say it in the first place.

Many wars were fought to provide freedoms to all free people, so those freedoms have a cost. They are not free in the context that someone didn't pay a price for them. In the United States freedom of speech has grown over the centuries to mean far more than was written in the U.S. Constitution. The Bible doesn't present a compelling case for us to be able to say or do anything we feel like regardless of the effect on others. Instead it states we should love one another and even says "Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of freedom" in James 2:12. Galations 5:13 says it this way; "For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love". 1st Corinthians 10: 23-24 states "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible but not everything builds up. No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person".

When these Christian principles of freedom are applied to the freedom written about by the founders of our country, a different dynamic emerges. David Barton has spent his life uncovering documents that prove a substantial majority of those that signed the Declaration of Independence were sincere practicing Christians. The freedom they desired for their new country was the type of freedom described in the Bible. The free speech of the 32 killed at Virginia Tech was ended by Seung-Hui Cho in a rage of killing prompted by his mentally stressed view of the world. The videos, pictures and 1800 word statement became the media picture of the disaster when NBC decided to release it. Ironically his "free" speech came after his death and overshadowed the speech of his victims. The choice of whose view of the world should be communicated to an entranced audience was made by the staff at NBC.

A balance of responsibility with freedom is required in every instance. The January 2006 edition of this blog was named "It's OK to offend and be offended", so I'm obviously not suggesting some tolerance movement where feelings are never ruffled or subjects should not be discussed. I'm also NOT suggesting that things some people do not agree with should be considered irresponsible. The issue is similar to the concept that you can't yell "FIRE" in a crowded theatre and deny culpability when people are trampled by the fearful mob. If the only purpose of your "free" speech is to hurt another, is it free? The price was paid by the one who was hurt. Responsibility for what one says should continue in legal, moral, and ethical form. So, perhaps the issue is "protected" speech.

Some subjects like politics, religion, and income are considered areas to avoid in social settings. There is a world of difference between stating that I favor a flat tax as a better vehicle to fund government and stating that if you oppose a flat tax your children should be murdered or sterilized to prevent such stupid opinions from continuing. Relational accountability should not restrict freedom of speech, it should protect it in the long-term by ensuring that political correctness doesn't end it as well as a tyrannical government. In many other countries of the world there is no freedom of speech. In almost every case it is due to government restrictions. Our Supreme Court rulings and executive orders must be watched as they have incrementally changed what freedoms we have.

Your future protected speech should be guarded in two ways. The first is to ensure elected and appointed politicians don't change the constitutional right. The second is to ensure that the media and society in general don't abuse responsible speech bringing about social ills or even worse, government restrictions. Speak and act as one that will be judged by the law of freedom. Educate all those that you know about this key principle as well. MY freedom and YOUR freedom counts on it.

REGENERATION

Dr. Henry Lodge, a member of the faculty at Columbia Medical School states that we lose 1% of our cells each and every day. Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells that live for weeks or months, then die and are replaced in an endless cycle over our lifetime. A few key cells called stem cells are not part of this process I'll call regeneration. When you exercise, your muscles release specific substances, according to Dr. Lodge, that tell your cells to grow. The other "master signal" is emotion. Anger, stress, and loneliness send the same signals as a sedentary lifestyle that cause cell decay. Love, optimism, and a sense of community trigger a process of growth at a cellular level. You choose whether new cells come "onboard" stronger or weaker by movement and mood. True biological aging is a slow and graceful process, but I like most people need to eat better, exercise more, and reduce lifestyle stress.

In my lifetime, medical science has reached a point where it has recognized that certain cells are "regenerated" and in some cases it is believed organs and limbs can be regrown in the near future. Stimulating cell regeneration can affect how diabetes, cardiology, and even audiology is ed. Most published articles approach the subject as when, not if, but the mysteries of how God made us is still a mystery. Stem cell research has even made some scientists so excited they want to kill embryo's to discover what might be medically possible. While killing some to try and help others live is immoral, this research does have great potential. Extrapolated fully, regeneration can become cloning. Somewhere in the world, there is a lab that has moved beyond the mammals they've been able to clone and are working on humans. Ethics is the study of what is right and what is wrong. Readers of this blog have had many wordy discussions about the subject, but suffice it to say that when mankind moves to this point, all the work that Hitler had done to establish a super race will rear it's head.

I was so fascinated with this word I looked up in Webster's what it actually means. The adjective regenerate means formed or created again; spiritually reborn or converted; restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state; or to chnage radically and for the better. The RE part of the word means again, or anew. GENERATE means to bring into existence, or to originate by a vital process (same as to beget). Generation means a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously, or a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor. These definitions will be important as we look at why there is wisdom in regeneration. Spiritual regeneration is the first example. Salvation by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is the first step in what the definition described as "restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state". Despite what you may have heard in some churches, that salvation experience that saved you and allows your soul to be eternally secure, is only the beginning. In the same way that the body sluffs off cells every day, and requires food, movement, and emotion to thrive, our spiritual bodies require worship, service through obedience, and time spent with God every day. I can't point to a study that shows 1% of our spiritual self decays and requires regeneration each day, but I believe it. Spirituality is also a lifelong experience but unlike the advancements in medical science has not improved over the centuries and recent decades. The complexity of modern life has become the idol that this generation has chosen to worhip.

Multi-generational context is a fancy way of saying that we should recognize how intertwined we are with those that came before us as well as those that have come since. How we were each raised, what our families believed and taught, as well as which part of the country or world we live in controls our perspective. Obese people often come from a family where everyone ate large quantities, so it was "normal". If you're an "outdoor person", or thrill seeker, or humble and loving, those qualities probably did not originate with you. A never ending argument of nature or nurture can't define if it's genetic or based on what seems normal to you, but we are all affected. You are also passing a baton on to the next generation, so an intentional plan will allow your regeneration to be a positive one. A balanced lifestyle includes the spiritual, physical, and emotional. In each of these areas, regeneration is a process as important as those parts in the Bible that had all those names of who begat whom. Setting the example, setting the standard, and setting the expectation will produce far more fruits than hoping tomorrow will be better. Most of your body will be replaced in the next 100 days with cells that are waiting for the "masters signal". Most of your spiritual righteousness will be worn away by Satan's influence in the next 100 days unless you stay in touch with the "masters signal". Your emotional quotient (see the Feb. 2006 blog) must include the ability to discern the danger as well as the promise of regeneration. In all aspects of the word wisdom must be applied. Think through the possibilities, then look at the photo of my grandparents at the beginning of this blog. How different was their world, because most of the regeneration we've discussed was possible then, even if they didn't know it. How might your future be as different?

GATHERING FACTS

Because our schedules get busier and busier, jumping to conclusions happens more and more. We "know" a little about a lot of things so answer most questions without all the facts. Most scams use this knowledge to ease your conclusion over to one they want you to have. The media present some of the facts along with a faulty conclusion and people will claim it as truth because they heard it or read it. We're horrified when we hear Hugo Chavez in Venezuela has replaced all school books with versions from Cuba that teach what he wants Venezuelans to believe. How many of us know who picks the schoolbooks and what the content is for schools in our neighborhood? A leading U.S. education publisher, Houghton Mifflin was purchased in December 2006 by a newly formed Irish company headquartered in Dublin. Florida, Texas, and California combined make up 30% of the $4 billion spent on educational publishing and impact the national standards. In Florida, the Governor and Secretary of State sign 6 year contracts for instructional materials, and one is likely to be signed within the next couple months, even though both office inhabitants recently changed. Is it jumping to conclusions to anticipate a new contract between Florida and Houghton Mifflin? After all, in Florida 50% of instructional materials must be state mandated (the other half by local districts). The president of the National Association of State Textbook Administrators is from Florida. Surely these distinctly different facts couldn't be combined into a scenario where schoolchildren are taught material that could engineer a change in society. If we don't trust government we jump to the conclusion it will happen. If we do trust government we jump to the conclusion it won't happen. Note that neither is based on fact, because all the facts have not been researched.

I've found most people when presented with scenarios like this explain they don't have the time to gather facts. This is despite the improvement in technology that allows so much information to be gathered so quickly. Assuming for a minute that life is too busy to gather facts about all decisions, shouldn't the highest priority ones be researched? This does not mean that varying opinions should be gathered. It means various facts should be gathered and assembled like a puzzle to see the actual "picture". By the way, if you're deciding about the last paragraph, remember two things. 1) The "facts" did not note their source so they should be suspect (even though I researched them). 2) Not enough "facts" were presented to make a determination, so unless you take time to research more, don't arrive at a conclusion. In my job as a Category Manager, a large part of the role is planning. Providing all the facts to a given situation has to part of a disciplined process that occurs before a decision is made.

Based on the meanings of the word, FACT, from Dictionary.com, a fact is described as these definitions:

1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: (check this blog for January 2007 message on truthiness). 2. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: (be careful of this one).

3.	something said to be true or supposed to have happened: (see how fast the description moves toward unknowns).

4.	something known to exist or to have happened: (critical thinking skills are required to avoid groupthink).

Note that I told you the source of the definitions so you can determine for yourself if the validity of the source is adequate for you. Many people go to snopes.com to see if so called urban legends are true, even though nothing I found on the website indicates why Barbara and David Mikkelson are in a position to recognize truth from fiction. Journalism used to be an industry where facts were held in high esteem and companies built reputations on being truthful. Alas, in my lifetime it has devolved to ratings and sales, so multiple outlets are needed for any one person to takes the news as presented and grasp the probable reality of the reports. Avoid mixing in your personal hopes and ideals or they will move you toward a conclusion that is not based on facts.

For most people, and me included, opinions come from previously learned facts. If a baseball pitcher has a high earned run average, my opinion is he'll be more likely to give up a hit in a given situation. This comes from the saying, the best prediction of the future is the past. I serve on the Long Range Planning Committee of my church so as well as the normal research that is part of my job, I've looked into how futurists work. Similar to studying history to explain what happened in the past, futurists study the present to see trends and conditions that will explain the future. This involves gathering facts, but not for the purpose of knowing the fact. It is for the purpose of calculating the probability that something will become fact. As in the pitcher's ERA above, it's not real but opinion, although an educated opinion. My job involves making fact based decisions. Some companies have decision based fact gathering, in other words after the decision is made, "facts" are found to justify the decision. The more facts that are gathered before a decision is made, the better. Please take enough time to gather facts in relationship to the importance of the decision. It may not be a priority to research all restaurants in the area before going to lunch. How about voting? What about marriage, college, large purchases, parenting, and a healthy lifestyle? What are your priorities? How many facts should be gathered about them before making a decision? I'd highly suggest the bigger the decision the more research is required (as in facts gathered).

A recent Fusion conference I attended (by the way, a GREAT conference I would highly recommend) suggested 3 rules for Biblical interpretation that is also true of fact finding results. 1) Context must be considered and understood. 2) A narrative is not normative. 3) It can't mean what it never meant. There may be principles behind the facts (or Scripture) that can be applied, but for a decision to be made on facts, nothing more can be added. As in #2 above, just pointing out it happened once does not mean the happening is normal. I saw a statistic recently that said the amount of knowledge accumulated in the last two years is more than the previous 5,000 years. With the exponential growth of data, it could be true. However, researching if it's factual could take more time than is possible, because if so, the accumulation after the beginning of the research could make the answer meaningless. Statistic is another strange word that doesn't mean the same as fact, but is related. A statistic could be true but not be relevant. The relevance of the fact determines if it has any meaning for the question at hand (see the first paragraph of this blog).

We all make decisions, but there are two distinct styles of decision makers. One struggles making the decision and is quick to change it if challenged. The second makes the decision relatively quickly and rarely changes despite criticism. I am very much like the latter and I believe it is because of the instinctive process of gathering facts before deciding. If that process is followed, only new facts could cause an adjustment to a decision. My hope for you is that this process of gathering facts, discerning the accuracy and relevancy of them, and then making an informed decision will be helpful in all the decisions you'll be asked to make, but especially those that can't or shouldn't be changed in the future.

SIMPLE PASSION

I've heard that people just don't care anymore. Older folks seem concerned about the interests (or lack of them) of younger folks. S.I. Hayakawa was a Professor of English at San Francisco State College, and later a U.S. Senator for California. He collaborated with the staff at Funk and Wagnalls on a modern guide to synonyms. He states that passionate and impassioned, both drawn from a word meaning to suffer, are commonly used to describe intense states of desire, dedication, or conviction. Fervent, like impassioned, implies being filled with abiding feelings. Zealous is more applicable to dedication than desire. It applies to an unwavering adherence to a set of beliefs or attitudes. He states that simple refers to something that is not complicated or intricate and is therefore capable of being quickly grasped by the mind. Easy, on the other hand, points to that which requires little effort. Simplified means rendered less difficult and thus able to be more easily understood, performed, or used. It means reducing to the bare essentials. I'm suggesting that a lack of passion in any endeavor may often be due to a complicated process. It is also probable that those that are in charge are also passionate and may feel a need to create intricate steps to be sure the process is not made less important by it's simplification. Both of these lead to frustration when applied to or imposed upon others. When applied to traditional activities, even generational understanding is threatened. What's this all mean? Stay with me.

Life has become more complicated during my lifetime, and a review of history says that it has been exponential. Knowledge not only grew at unheard of rates, but with the availability of the internet, is able to be shared almost instantly (by the way, it wasn't too many decades ago that was being said about libraries). Value is sometimes misinterpreted as complexity. A process is a systematic series of actions directed to some end. Sometimes it's a series of changes designed to take place in a specific manner. For many, an important process has a high level of complexity. Simplicity, however, is making a comeback. It stands out when everything around it is complex. Google has made billions with a complex search engine that unlike their competitors had a simple front page with only about 40 words. Passion can be expressed easier when the process is easy to understand, or it's so user friendly that all the focus is on the intense desire and little is tied to the systematic steps. In other words passion can be unleashed for all ages when the focus is simple. Billy Graham spoke to millions around the world but didn't spend time on deep theology, other than the simple gift of salvation that was the theme of his ministry. People care about what they understand. If you are in charge of a process, simplify, simplify, simplify. If you're not in charge but are confused, go back to the basics. This is true in business settings, ministries, or your personal life.

A recent USA Today had an article titled Evangelical: Can the E-Word be saved? Despite the obvious play on words, it asked a troubling question. George Barna has found that while 38% of Americans call themselves evangelical, only 9% agree with evangelical beliefs and 1 out of 4 has not even accepted Christ as their savior. The term has become so diluted and covers such a wide spectrum of beliefs that it no longer communicates or identifies ideas, leaders, or programs. The same can obviously be said for Christian, Fundamentalist, and other names. Paul proclaimed in 1st Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". Jesus spoke in simple parables about complicated subjects. Mark chapter 4 says " He would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. And he did not speak to them without a parable...". The verse that follows John 3:16 says "For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him". When he commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, it was a simple statement but with deep meaning. Earlier I mentioned that the word passion came from suffering. The suffering is the gap between what is desired and what exists. If you don't care about what exists it doesn't bother you that it so so different than what should be. Mel Gibson produced a movie entitled "The Passion of the Christ". The intense state of desire that Jesus demonstrated on the cross to make a way for our righteousness was the ultimate passion. Yet, the free gift of salvation he offers because of it is very simple. Believe on the Lord, Jesus, Christ and you will be saved. Simple Passion. Don't let the complexity of modern life confuse you in what you do or how you live. That wisdom will live long after I'm gone. When our son was in T-ball the Coach asked them to play with reckless abandon. This morning's devotional from Oswald Chambers said Christians should proclaim the Gospel with reckless abandon. The Christian word for that is revival. In all things, forget the complexity of the issue and approach it with simple passion!!!

AVOIDING TRUTHINESS

I read with interest that the word TRUTHINESS was voted the word of the year for 2006, according to an online survey by dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster. Stephen Colbert, a Comedy Central satirist, was credited with the definition as "truth that comes from the gut, not books". Merriam-Webster's president said what constitutes truth is a question on a lot of people's minds and that truth has become up for grabs. In the November 2006 issue of this blog I noted that without a source for truth, any version will do. In the April 2006 issue I mentioned Josh McDowells book "Right from Wrong", that points out how young people are confused about truth. Josh published this book in 1994 after recognizing this confusion in his travels for many years before that. The confused youth of the 80's make up a substantial portion of our adult population today, so it is no longer only youth that are confused about truth, but I find people of all ages unsure of truth. The October 2005 and March 2006 issue of this blog reflected on the strain modern American culture puts on the spiritual beliefs of all age groups, but especially the young.

Newly elected President of the 2007 Florida State Baptist Convention, William Rice, said his goals include bridging the gap between younger and more traditional pastors, encourage embracing contemporary culture in services, embrace the denomination's evangelical mission, and be more aggressive about spreading Christ's message. There is nothing wrong with these goals for the 1 out of every 17 Florida residents who are Southern Baptist, nor the millions of other Christians of many denominations that reside anywhere in the world. I am concerned, however, at how the various interpretations these simple goals can be viewed by those that have elevated traditions to truth. According to Wikipedia, the word tradition comes from the Latin word TRADITID which means to hand down or hand over. It is a set of customs or practices. Although traditions are often presumed to be ancient, unalterable, and deeply important, they are frequently changed to suit the needs of the day. My January 2006 blog asked "Is the Bible the source of truth as I believe, or is truth so relative that we can each make up our own"?

In the Roman Catholic Church, traditionalism is the doctrine that Sacred Tradition holds equal authority with the Holy Scripture. Protestants have condemned that view as heretical since Martin Luther's theses in the 16th century. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the unadulterated word of God as revealed to Mohammed, who ruled over the first theocracy in 622. The fundamentalist view of Islam says the correct interpretation of Islam relies totally on the Qur'an excluding tradition. As their God, named Allah, has no son, father, or partner, the Islamic religion and the Christian belief in Jesus and the Trinity are at odds. This vast difference literally changed the world as we know it in the last century. The Ottoman Empire existed from the 1200's to the 1920's when it was first broken up after World War One largely due to the genocide of Armeniam Christians, then changed again after World War Two. The successors of Mohammed are referred to as caliphates, and their heirs ruled the Muslim world until the caliphate was abolished by the League of Nations and the mostly "Christian" European countries were given control of their lands. 90% of Muslims are Sunni's, while 10% are Shiite's today. Shiites, who are primarily in Iran and Iraq, believe the only true caliphate (known as the 12th imam) disappeared in 931 and they were without a leader until Ayatollah Khomeini in 1978 forecast the return of the 12th imam. Osama BinLaden is one of the 940 million Sunnis. Their response to the wave of atheism (their view), lewdness, and moral decline they believed were brought upon their people by Europeans and the "western" world is part of the violent response that has grown over the past 75 years and situation the world is in today. An entire generation of Arab's have grown up with traditional thoughts that include a growing hate for what they are told our country represents. Is it freedom, morality, power and atheism, or is it truth that we represent?

Christian fundamentalists believe in the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy. In many cases, fundamentalists draw a connection between features of the surrounding culture, such as alcohol, tobacco, dancing, gambling, and movies with an immoral or unbelieving way of life. These endorsed strict codes of conduct have taken traditional positions in many denominations including Southern Baptists. In June of 2006 at the national convention of Southern Baptists 15 resolutions were passed. Resolution 1 urged Congress to vote affirmatively on the Marriage Protection Amendment to represent the conviction of the vast majority of Americans. Resolution 5 stated total opposition to manufacturing, advertising, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages, despite the lack of biblical conclusion. Resolution 6 urged the federal government to control and secure the countries borders, although it did urge Christians to follow the biblical principle of caring for the foreigners among us (see May 06 blog). These are only 3 of the 15, but the blending of American Christian traditions with biblical mandates is obvious. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with the beliefs expressed, but the church has succumbed to the same "truthiness" as the culture. Truth is coming from the gut, not THE BOOK. A similar concern about the International Mission Board imposition of rules preventing private prayer language makes the same point. This is not about Southern Baptists, I'm only aware because I am one. It is about THE CHURCH.

I submit the goals of Florida Southern Baptist President Rice should be seen by American Christians as: 1) If there is a gap between younger and traditional pastors it should be bridged only with the inerrant WORD OF GOD, not conservative or liberal interpretation, what a majority believes, or perceived principles that align with traditional thought. 2) contemporary culture as well as traditional culture should only be insisted upon or embraced in services if it comes directly from a BIBLICAL MANDATE (in other words everything else is just what you prefer and the assembling together is not about you anyway). 3) the evangelical mission of the church IS spreading Christ's message and most Bible's have those WORDS in red so we can have a truth source to compare our activities with. I am alarmed at the extent beliefs and traditions are elevated to the level of truth. As Josh McDowell defined in the book mentioned earlier: "Absolute truth is that which is true for all people, for all times, for all places". Excellent guidelines, rules, ordinances, beliefs, resolutions, laws, traditions, and perceptions must never be at the same plane as the truth. It doesn't mean there is anything evil about these things, it means since they don't rise to the level of the truth, they are not to be imposed on all people at all times in all places.

In John 14:6 Jesus said "I AM the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. In Matthew 15:3 he asked why the Pharisees and scribes broke God's commandments because of their traditions. In the Sermon on the Mount he clarified many traditions and perceptions of the day as written in Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7 with THE TRUTH. Stephen Colbert had it right about truthiness, it come from the gut. Avoid imposing what seems to be logical, moral, acceptable, cultural, relevant, traditional, patriotic, fulfilling, comfortable, or right unless it is an absolute truth that can be found in the WORD OF GOD. Based on John 14:6 either Jesus is wrong or all opposing beliefs are wrong. There can be no middle ground, but there can be obedience and activities that accomplish his purpose. His final spoken words on this earth said "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I AM with you always, to the end of the age". If we are to go and teach so that the billions of unbelieving souls will not be lost, we can't risk adding more to the message. We should not be discipling the lost and evangelizing the saved. In the war on terrorism the events of the past century (see October 06 reflection blog warning) will repeat themselves if as Christians we don't grasp the difference between truth and truthiness. I have purposely referred to the previous blog entries in this submission to show that this is not a new train of thought but an insight that deserves consideration with a growing sense of urgency. The fundamentalist view of Islam has the right approach (I'm not talking about the violence, I'm talking about the unadulterated view) but the wrong book and the wrong God. Let's not make the mistakes that happened earlier with the right book, the right God, and the wrong approach ( a student of history might remember a little thing called THE CRUSADES). John 3:21 states that anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God. Live by THE TRUTH and have a Happy New Year.

CONTENTMENT

I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida in an area called Land O Lakes, in a subdivision called "The Preserve at Lake Thomas", and I love it. I originally titled this month "Blooming where you're planted" but after writing it realized it was about contentment. After 17 years in Kansas, 17 years in California, 10 years in Arizona, and 6 years in Texas this is the first time I've ever lived on the East Coast. The bay area is known for beautiful white beaches, but I don't really enjoy laying out on the beach. It's famous for great seafood restaurants, but I'm not a big seafood eater. There are many fabulous golf courses, but I'm not a golfer. Boating is very popular but I'm not into boating. Fishing is huge, and I live on a fishing lake but I don't even own a fishing pole. Swimming is quite popular, but I don't swim. There are nice museums, but I have no interest in visiting. There are many amusement parks, but I rarely go (haven't been to Disney World in my life). Tampa has a well known zoo but I've never seen it. There have been hurricanes, but they didn't bother me. There's also a plethora of bugs and flying insects, but pest control applications keep them at bay. Tampa is well know for cigars, but I don't smoke. It's famous for strip clubs but I've never been and don't intend to go. Florida's called the Sunshine State but it seems to rain every afternoon all summer. Professional sports are covered by the Buccaneers for football, the Lightning for hockey, the Rays and spring training for baseball, and basketball is in Orlando with the Magic. At best my attendance is spotty for most sports and I've never been to a Magic game.

You may recall from my first sentence that I love where I live. The Tampa metro area has about 1/2 the people of Atlanta or Houston, but about twice as many as Charlotte or Nashville. That comparison is with other southern cities, as I've purposely tried to live my adult life where it doesn't snow. Although it gets warm in the summertime, weather statistics state Tampa's never topped 100 degrees and rarely drops below freezing. The ethnic and cultural makeup of the people here is more diverse than anywhere I've ever been. I have more friends and more acquaintances than anywhere I've ever been. My employer has seen fit to move me and my family to three different states in the past 15 years, and moving for the sake of employment was not a new phenomenon before then. Every move I made since I was 17 years old was paid for by an employer who desired I live somewhere I wasn't living. The idea of living where there were things to do that I was interested in was a foreign thought. It was foreign because earlier in life I purposely didn't get involved or interested in things so it wouldn't bother me to leave them. A similar approach to people meant avoiding any deep relationships to sever when it was time to move again. For whatever reason, I mentally did this less with each move (mysteriously in parallel with the growth of my relationship with God) and did not do that at all when I decided three years ago we were moving to Florida from Arizona (home of the 120 degree summer).

I set out early to put down roots in the community and in church. I was (and am) fascinated with the wide variety of countries people are from that I've met since moving to Florida. Between family, work, church, Toastmasters, and my involvement in our HOA, my schedule seems full. Based on where I live there are many many opportunities to develop hobbies. I enjoy looking at the water, eating out is wonderful and I've learned golf outings are more enjoyable for me in the morning and when only the first 6 strokes per hole count. Jet ski's provide a different experience than boats, and spiritually fishing for men means more to me than physically fishing for fish. I'm sure the activities that will end up on my busy schedule will include people rather than things. Valuing time with others is part of a concept called blooming where you're planted. Plants can't choose where they're planted, and many times if they don't bloom they're torn up and thrown away as worthless. Bloom wherever you're at and don't wait to get started!! The people surrounding you were not placed there by accident, nor are you where you are at by accident. Recognizing that will help focus the value God has placed on each one you know and each one you meet. Contentment is when the circumstances or location you are in doesn't determine your happiness. There are times I have to be reminded that the outcome isn't up to me, but my obedience will result in an inner peace that is not a temporary happiness. I'm content and I hope and pray you are also, or will become more so by reading about my life's journey. This doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means perfection for me is the way things are.

AVOIDING HIJACKING

The definition of hijacking is to steal, rob, commandeer, or extort, usually in reference to a vehicle. Although you should keep your car doors locked when you drive, this is not about vehicle safety. It is about the hijacking of ideas, beliefs, religions, and morality. As I've listened to all the campaign ads over the previous weeks, during this election cycle, it is no longer the Republicans claiming they are the party to reduce taxes. Many Democrats in this years race are making the same claim and noting that Republicans in "power" in Congress have spent too much. In other words, they hijacked the concept. Another recent example came when John Kerry, the senator from Massachusetts, tried to say disparaging things about President Bush but instead it sounded like disparaging things about the troops (see picture above). Republicans were able to hijack the "issue" and move pressure from President Bush on Iraq to Democrats support
of the troops.

You (and I) should not hijack anything. A more difficult task is not being hijacked or falling for those that have hijacked others. The most recognizable campaign against diseases that affect women is the campaign against breast cancer. Without taking anything away from that admirable work, it surprises many women that breast cancer is NOT the leading cause of
death or the leading disease, or even the leading cancer that affects women. Being a Christian means following Christ, accepting him as your savior and being obedient to his commands and teaching. He said we are to love not only God with all our might, but also others as ourselves. While the Bible is full of instruction for how Christians live their lives, the priority is clearly our relationship with God. I can't find where it suggests our time is best spent educating non-Christians on which sin is most reviled. Many denominations have been hijacked by those claiming God is love, therefore everything is acceptable. That is heresy. Other more evangelical groups have been hijacked by those that condemn a specific list of sins among the unsaved, as if God isn't capable of convicting people of their situation. God's view of morality for his people hasn't changed since the beginning of time, only our view of what God tolerates. Our modern culture has hijacked some key issues that we should all be aware of.

In my lifetime our culture has moved from a society where it was possible to take a person at their word, and journalism was taught as a presentation of facts, to one where we are each responsible for determining what is true. Mass media is full of distortions or outright lies that allow the unaware to be hijacked and react passionately to claims that may or may not be true.
I read varied sources to try and maintain a balanced view, but even when there is time and all references are verified, it's likely the truth is not present.

Without a source for truth, any version will do. I choose the Bible and the principles and precepts presented there as a basis of comparison. This may seem strange to some, but counterfeits are more easy to spot when compared to the original. Take time to learn so your perceptions, beliefs, viewpoints, and morality won't he hijacked by the "culture" around you.

REFLECTION

An old hymn says "Count your blessings, name them one by one". Many disciplines suggest meditation as a strategy to reduce stress. This blog in the archives for August 2005 suggested that the best prediction of the future is the past. Especially with the higher and faster expectations of everyone, it is wise to take time to reflect on the past. It can be an annual weekend away, an afternoon each month, or a hour a week, but please take time to look back on what is happening in and around you. Our perspective, that comes from what we think about, is refreshed and made more realistic by reviewing our successes, learning lessons from our failures, and just considering events in general.

I disagree strongly with those that say "never look back". History will repeat itself if nothing is done, so all bad things that have happened in history will occur again unless action is taken. Each generation must be taught the truth about events of previous generations, as well. All good things can continue to occur if we are smart enough to follow the success tracks from previous situations or events. This is true in personal life as well as world events. We are to learn from our previous experiences and hopefully from the experiences of others, as well. Reflect on what should habitually continue as well as what should be changed or avoided.

Milestones are special times reflection is crucial. When you get married, when a child is born, Christmas, Easter, and your birthday are all examples of annual milestones that provide opportunities to reflect on where you've been and where you're going. Certain milestones, such as birthdays when you turn 21,30, 50, or 65 are often a time to consider longer term plans or a higher calling from God. Psalms 119 :104 says it this way: "I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path". It may also be a time to think of others. Proverbs 11:25 says "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed".

It seems to me in my reflection that the more obedient I am to the commands of God, the better life gets. The purpose in being obedient is not for a better life, as that is not guaranteed, but the result has been for me. Finances have improved exponentially since we started tithing 18 years ago, as an example. Housing has done the same, when we moved across the country, each time to a city where we didn't know anyone but into a larger house. I recall when I turned 30 that with 2 children, employment at a 100% commission job and no income, no steady involvement in church or time with God, thinking the path I was on was a wrong path. With that reflection I determined to made changes to find the right path. I recall when I turned 50 that with 3 grown (or nearly grown) children, steady employment with previous promotions, an opportunity to take the spiritual passion God gave me to a new church in a new state (that we joined on my 50th birthday) that I was on the right path. With that reflection, I determined to charge forward on that right path.

Some of the highlights since I turned 50 are chronicled in previous months of this blog, but others and newer ones are listed below. On September 11th, 2005 my only son sang "I Can Only Imagine" at our church with a video backup he prepared showing scenes of terrorism in 2001 and Katrina flood victims from the first week of September 2005 and was a proud moment for me. On March 25th, 2006 I gave away my first daughter in marriage at that same church to her love, another proud moment for me. In April of 2006 I was able to take my wife to Costa Rica and show her land that we'd been able to purchase with an eye to several future possibilities, and in June to New York and the northeast states that completed my quest to visit all 50 states. I was able to attend the wedding of my son who found his soul mate, in June of 2006 as well. I was privileged to lead prayers in several churches for hundreds of people, and speak to groups of 15 to 50 people on numerous occasions in 2006, 22 years after joining Toastmasters to try to learn to overcome my fear of speaking in public. Although I've been in the convenience store industry for over 20 years, I'd never been quoted in an industry publication until August of 2006 when 3 different magazines quoted me in articles, and an on-line daily newsletter ran a video interview with me as their feature of the week. Although I serve as the Vice-President of our HOA, and Vice-Chairman of our Deacon Fellowship, my 2006 time focus has been working with my youngest daughter to establish a "bridge" ministry at our church for transitioning youth through college and career to adults. As the last one left at home she's a focus, but the plan for The Bridge is to build it for years beyond her probable inclusion. Wow, it's been an incredible year after a couple of great years.

Reflection should either challenge and convict you, or refresh and embolden you (or maybe some of each). Take time to reflect and count your blessings, make adjustments if needed in the direction you're headed, and track the progress. Writing this has given me a renewed perspective on how truly blessed I am. Interestingly in both the Sunday School class I teach and in the Pastor's sermon today, the subject of taking time to reflect on God's word came up. As the Bible is the source of all truth, it seem reasonable that we'd want to match up our life and God's word. How about you?

PREPARATION

Although I never progressed past Cub Scouts, I understood early on that being prepared was important. Professional athletes not only have pre-season preparation, but most practice nearly every day before each game. Actors spend many hours preparing for a part before the first production, even if it's filmed in one take. Zig Ziglar, arguably the best motivational speaker in the world spends two hours in preparation for each hour he speaks even if the speech is the same one he gave 50 or 60 times before. Everywhere you look, success is preceded by preparation.

I've continually developed habits of preparation throughout my life for mundane as well as crucial things. I place my keys in the same spot at night in preparation of needing them the next day. I gas up my car well before it's near empty in preparation of needing to be some distance away for an unknown emergency or tight timeframe. I plan my day or week before it actually starts (Outlook has helped make the transition from paper planners). I budget money before spending any so that it covers the priorities required. Preparation is more than just planning for future events.

Preparation for planned events is one aspect, but preparation for unplanned events is where you can truly make a difference in your life. When I rode a motorcycle I believed the other motorists didn't see me and if they did were trying to hit me. That mind set not only made me a defensive driver (no accidents while driving for over 38 years), but taught me to be prepared for people to pull out in front of me or into my lane, even when they don't. When someone promises to do something, I begin to mentally prepare for what to do if they don't fulfill their promise. Sometimes this preparation is called having a PLAN B (to use when plan A doesn't work out).

In my job I work on promotions 60 days out, and marketing plans up to 7 times that long. This focus on the future allows me to succeed at my job, but I have to be sure I also stay aware of what is happening today and what happened yesterday that may affect the future I'm preparing for. In the same way, preparation for things that might happen or preparation for things you want to make happen has to stay in touch with what is currently happening. WHAT IF ... is followed by mental scenarios for me that takes the events of today and merges them with PLAN A and PLAN B for future use so I'm rarely surprised. In other words I try to stay prepared for all eventualities. I read a lot. I hang out with young people to stay up with generational views. I hang out with my elders for the same reason. Computers and especially the Internet has allowed research to be faster and more complete than anytime in history.

For truly long term preparation, everyone must consider eternity. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, John 3:16, and John 14:6 (among others) that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternity with God, despite all the other versions you may have heard. Once you accept him as your savior he sends people to disciple you and explain a different level of preparation for eternity that can be summed up in learning to take the focus off of self, and move it to him and others. Check out Luke chapter 6, Matthew chapter 5, and James chapter 1 for some insight on eternal preparation here on earth. Don't get this preparation wrong, or none of the other issues really matter.

Last month I wrote in this blog about setting goals. Preparation precedes the execution of the plan in nearly every case. I attended school before I got a job. I completed higher educational degrees before I got a promotion. Preparation is simply getting ready for what is next, even if you don't know what is next. I observe people getting ready for retirement, even though they are not sure how long they will live beyond the start of "retirement". I'm ready even though I don't plan to ever retire. What am I ready for, you ask? The next goal,the next step, the next plan. As it turns out, I find I've been preparing for things without even realizing it until it happens. So whatever is next, I'm prepared. Research has begun, now I'm just waiting on God for the next directional way to utilize the preparation.

GOAL SETTING

Achievement is the result of a process sometimes referred to as goal setting. In reality achievement requires perseverance and an aligned process. Success is usually 10% vision and 90% execution. That is where the saying that it's 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration came from. Plan purposely, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively and pursue persistently. The only measurement of what you believe is what you do, meaning that actions speak louder than words. In a nutshell, the way you will be in a year or two is determined by what you do during that year or two.

The following steps will allow you to determine your destination. Your MISSION defines your reason for existence. It is not a destination, since it is never reached, but it explains your purpose so write it down. Your VISION is a clear mental picture of the desired outcome for your mission. It focuses on what will be in your preferred future so write it down. Your VALUES are a small set of timeless guiding principles that define your beliefs. They don't require any justification, but help define the vision and drive the daily decisions. Write down 5 or less as this feeds the next step in the process. Your STRATEGIES explain how the vision will be fulfilled. They are powered by your values and fulfilled through goals and actions. Write them out so your activities will have focus and stimulate the changes needed for achievement. Your GOALS are the specific measurable achievable actions that are congruent with your strategies. They must be time activated in that the execution is needed by a deadline. Write them out and then break them down into smaller activities if needed so that the benefits and obstacles are clear. The last step in the on-going process is ACTION. Capitalize on your strengths and don't allow circumstances to redirect your efforts. The execution of the plan is the 90% part.

Failure to hit the bulls eye is never the fault of the target. In personal life, family life, organizational life, or spiritual life the process is the same. Failure teaches us lessons we need to succeed but it's never final. Activities bring learning and growth and turns intentions into actions. When the individual process is aligned with a team process involving others the results become exponential, so try this with a group, as well. Constantly evaluate progress so adjustments can be made but the KEY is to execute your plan. Overcome any fear of failure by developing a plan to succeed. Develop the habit of confronting fears over and over. You will create a culture of excellence and achievement. Please take the time to write down your goals, then review them regularly.

I followed this process when I learned about it nearly 20 years ago. The goals I set seemed massive and perhaps unreachable at the time since I grew up at a low economic level. I didn't have confidence, couldn't speak in front of more than three people, and even dropped out of high school at one time. Here are a few of the numerous goals I set at the ripe old age of 40 and accomplished by age 45: 1) Bachelors degree in business 2) DTM (highest honor) in Toastmasters 3) Teach Sunday School 4) Go to the Super Bowl 5) Ride in a hot air balloon. At 45 I decided by age 50 on the following completed goals: 1) Get an MBA in Management 2) Visit Washington DC 3) Get Angela a 25th year large diamond ring 4) Become a Deacon 5) Attend the World Series (ended up being game 7). My goals for age 55 include some I've completed like visiting all 50 states and some I have not done like learning to speak Spanish. I have some audacious ones like possibly running for elected office and becoming totally debt free that I have not yet time activated but if I'd known about this process earlier in life perhaps I wouldn't consider them audacious. My present thoughts and perspective will determine my future (the same is true for you). The God that created the universe has a plan for my life. I am not to affirm the sin nature but the achievements worthy of a child of God (yes he does allow those sports goals). My mission, vision, and values are submitted to him. My strategies, goals and actions are controlled by his Word. By the way, it's his process.

Imagine a mission statement bigger than Matthew 28: 19-20, or a vision more important than John 3: 16-17. Proverbs says that without a vision, people perish. Values are laid out pretty well in the 10 commandments, and Philippians 4: 8 shows how we should focus on the goals. James 1: 22-25 explains why execution of the plan is important. There are many other biblical examples, I just wanted you to know the source of the process. Writing this blog has motivated me to write down all these things again myself for 2006 and beyond. I hope it does the same for you.

CONFIDENCE

Confidence is that assurance that the reality of a fact or trustworthiness of another allows you to be bold. Con artists are those folks that fake that assurance to convince people of something that is not true. For most people the level of confidence in many areas of their lives is low. Is their career on track, are they good parents, does their spouse love them, does life have meaning, or even where will they spend eternity?

Because people have all these questions, they tend to follow those that seem to have the answers. Part of leadership is confidence, since a leader by definition has followers. Some marketing studies have referred to these folks as influencers, hoping to leverage their popularity with products or ideas. People are influenced by confident people. They also desire to be confident themselves rather than fearful.

I'm very proud of my son, who demonstrates confidence in many areas of life. He not only has a plethora of talents, but exercises them with boldness and courage in such a way that people want to be around him. He is an influencer. He wasn't always confident, in fact at some stages of his life he was very unsure of himself. What is it that changed, allowing him to be confident in his abilities and perspectives?

Confidence in a belief is even more impressive. Unlike those things that you can witness as a fact, the reality of a belief requires faith. The Bible says what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. When the disciples witnessed Jesus turn water into wine they put their faith in him. We live by faith, not by sight. Jesus is quoted in John 14 saying "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.....I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you love me you will keep my commandments." Then in chapter 15 he said "This is what I command you: love one another".

1st John 4:16-19 says it this way " We have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; for we are as He is in this world. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us."

Confidence comes from loving and being loved. Doubt is a condition of uncertainty or fear of belief. Knowing makes it so much easier. Just as in the great question of eternity, the questions of our daily lives are easier if you know the answers. I've learned, as my son has demonstrated, that the answer to my questions is this: because God is in control and I'm his, everything is as it should be. Romans 8:28 says it this way; "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to his purpose."

Can confidence really be this easy? Yes it can. Are all Christians confident? No, they are not. What then, makes the difference? It's what you focus on. It's what you think about. It's what you allow yourself to do. Look to the Lord and his strength. Obedience to his commands don't include pity parties or any other focus on you. James 1:22 says "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." How do you know what it says? Read, study, pray, work, submit, love passionately, speak boldly, be kind, sing, obey, honor, worship, serve, encourage, and rejoice always. Phillipians 4:8 says "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

AVOIDING ARROGANCE

Arrogance is defined in the dictionary as the act or quality of having unwanted pride and self importance; haughtiness. In other words, giving oneself an undue degree of importance, or at least acting like it. It's related to hypocrisy (one who feigns to be what he is not), if your perspective of the arrogant person is different than their view of themselves. Most arrogant people are either unsure of themselves, so they act arrogant, or truly have a self-image that they are better than other people. Either has a chilling effect on relationships and should be a cause for self-reflection. Relationship is a fancy word for how we are connected to others.

Relationships you have with others normally fall into casual or committed classifications. Either can be positive or negative, but the length of time you are in that relationship is affected by your level of arrogance. The opposing viewpoint of arrogance is humility (the absence of pride or self-assertion). Humble people are perceived as meek and submissive. In today's American culture the "successful" are worshiped and adored by the masses (their casual relationships), but in almost every case their committed relationships (personal life) are miserable. Self-promotion is another way of describing arrogance and it is taught and expected as a healthy lifestyle. Humility is not valued.

Spiritual arrogance is a huge issue. History records most wars have been based on religious beliefs, and today's war on terrorism is against Muslim extremists who are focused on expanding the legalistic "spiritual" view of their religion. Christianity is even more diverse with those claiming to follow Christ killing doctors who perform abortion, to those who claim to follow him but don't believe any of the records of his words. Denominations have sprung up in recent decades and centuries to extend their exclusionary agendas based on theology or even politics. As bad as personal arrogance or haughtiness is, group arrogance is even worse.

At it's root, arrogance is a celebration of self. I'm right, or we're right, or my effort resulted in success (or our teamwork resulted in success). In other words it's all about me, or it's all about us. I did it my way. We don't put up with opposition to our decisions, beliefs, feelings, or plans. Wrong is the opposite of what I am and who I am (or we are). Right is whatever I feel it is, believe it is, or determine it to be. Evil is wrong. Good is right. Genesis 3:5 in the Bible records the serpent saying "...when you eat it your eyes will be like God, knowing good and evil". Although it's recorded that earlier God explained that eating from the tree would bring death, mankind through Adam and Eve introduced sin to the world. Alas, we didn't become like God (Satan the serpent, was wrong). The original sin of disobedience carries on today with the false belief that we determine what is good and what is evil.

Individually and collectively (as a nation, as a denomination, as a church, as a neighborhood), we must recognize that haughtiness or arrogance is the ruination of everything. Proverbs 6:16 lists six things God hates, and haughty eyes is first on the list. Jesus says in Matthew 23:12 that whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Pauls writing in Colossians says it this way "...put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience accepting one another and forgiving one another...above all, put on love, the perfect bond of unity". 1st Corinthians 10:24 says no one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person. Isaiah 29:13 and repeated by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9 says "These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men".

In other words, the system we're used to with humility not being valued and arrogance a goal is completely the opposite of what we should be about. Committed relationships are all about the other, beginning with our relationship with God. Rick Warren sold a lot of Purpose Driven books with the concept that It's not about me, it's all about God. Casual relationships are also all about service to others, not personal gain. Happiness comes from giving, not receiving. Defending our own "turf" as a person, nation or church, because we're right and we know it, is not what it seems. Proverbs 8:13 says to fear the Lord is to hate evil, as he hates arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech (our role is the fearful respect of the Lord, not combatting the evil). Proverbs 16:18 says pride goes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Galations 6:3 says if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. Jesus said in John 14 that the one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. There are many more verses describing obedience, but they all stem from submitting ourselves to God. Ephesians 5:21 even says "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ".

It is arrogant to think that atheists should submit to the commands of God, non-Christians should be obedient to the words of Jesus, Muslims should transform their Allah to a more accepted version by the western world, or U.S. citizens should treat immigrants as enemies. It would also be arrogant of each of the example groups mentioned to think everyone else should accept their viewpoints or perspectives. Respect for each person as a creation of God should allow true followers of Christ to be persuasive through love, which is humble and meek. Zephaniah 3:12 describes a future day of the Lord where he promises to leave the meek and humble who trust in the name of the Lord as a remnant to change the people. In the famous sermon on the mount, Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. That is the same sermon where he said "..love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...and love your neighbor as yourself". In John 15 he was even more pointed. In describing love he said as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. This is what I command you: love one another. Therefore, we should obey, rather than look upon their uncleaness, their differences, their evil habits, or watch with haughty eyes.

He did not say "kill them all for their sin". He did not say "you are so much more valuable to me due to your good works that you can treat them like animals". He did not say "I am pleased that you are right, so it is my pleasure to glorify you and enrich you, and rank you above all others". He did not say "be sure to stay away from all people who don't believe exactly as you believe so you won't be tainted by their bad theology". He did not say "since you are perfect in my sight, limit your relationships to other perfect people that I will show you". He did not say "It's a good thing you came along, because even though I'm God, I can't do better than your wisdom and discernment". He didn't even say "You arrogant prideful sinner, there is no forgiveness for the narcissistic, judgemental, wicked, disrespectful thievery you have committed".

He did say in Romans "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus....this hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured out in our hearts...now in this hope we were saved...in the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness...and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to his purpose...be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation...Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law...so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God". As chapter 15 says: "Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Therefore, accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God." It's not about me, but all about him. What about you, are you arrogant?

MAY DAY

May Day seemed to have a different meaning this year with all the talk and boycott about immigration. Through a combination of Congress overly restricting the number of immigrants allowed to migrate to the USA, and people desiring to have economic freedom even if they have to break the law, an estimated 12 million illegal aliens now reside in the United States. Although some countries have dumped their criminals, nearly all the illegal immigrants I've met are hard working people striving to make things better for their family. Since it's only a few hundred years since this land belonged to Indians, it seems strange to listen to the rhetoric of walling off the country.

Leviticus 19: 33-34 says in the Living Bible " Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God". Interesting scripture for the nation of Israel as we watch the Palestinians being walled off. Jesus said it this way in Luke 6:35-37: But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back...Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven". Since Christianity is for all people, the following is a repeat of last May's blog entry.

GC³ (Christianity Cliff Notes)

1) GREAT COMMITMENT

1) ADMIT
1) God exists
2) Sinfulness
3) Eternity

2) BELIEVE
1) Jesus' blood
2) Cross sacrifice
3) Hope

3) CONFESS
1) Pray
2) Accept
3) Repent

2) GREAT COMMANDMENT

1) LOVE
1) Worship
2) Obedience
3) Passion

2) GOD
1) Love - Grace
2) Purity - Righteousness
3) Truth - Judgment

3) NEIGHBOR
1) Others
2) Church
3) Forgiveness

3) GREAT COMMISSION

1) DISCIPLE
1) Ministry
2) Morality
3) Evangelism

2) BAPTIZE
1) Trinity
2) Faith
3) Heaven - Angels

3) TEACH
1) Bible
2) Spiritual warfare
3) Tithe

MORALITY

The Webster definition of moral is: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior. : expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior. For most people the definition of right and wrong comes from their parents or environment growing up. Society then begins to cause people to make adjustments to their beliefs or definitions of right and wrong. Each culture varies on what issues are wrong, and what is acceptable.

A recent Pew Research Center study called "Social Trends" ranked 10 issues to create a barometer of modern U.S. morals. 88% of people believe that married people having an affair is wrong. 79% of people say that not reporting all income on your taxes is wrong. That was higher than the 61% who said drinking alcohol excessively is wrong. Only 52% said having an abortion is wrong, more than the 50% who said smoking marijuana is wrong. The same result, 50%, said homosexual behavior is wrong, while 43% said telling a lie to spare someone's feelings is wrong. Only 35% said sex between unmarried adults was wrong, the same percentage that said gambling is wrong. 32% said overeating is wrong, meaning 68% must think it's not wrong.

The same Webster defines ethic as: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad with moral duty and obligation. The set of moral principles or values defines if we are ethical based on what society accepts. This is all about measuring behavior, but the underlying precept is determining what is right and what is wrong. Situational ethics, tolerance, and a lack of absolute truth are being foisted upon our society to it's demise. Josh McDowell, in his book "Right from Wrong" points out our young people are confused about truth. He points our that in Sevres, a suburb of Paris, the headquarters of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures establishes standards for units of measure. If two people disagree on the length of a meter, the objective and universal standard comes from Sevres. A standard exists outside, above, and beyond ourselves for morals as well. The basis of everything we call moral is the eternal God who is outside us, above us, and beyond us. What is God's standard of morality?

I submit to you that if the specific subject is mentioned in the Bible, there is never a "gray" area for confusion. If it's not specifically mentioned, there are precepts and principles that can be studied and applied to clear up any confusion one may have. It is also not appropriate to add to the biblical principles with cultural beliefs, regardless or how good they may sound. If we are to be ethical, a discipline and obligation is required of us to be right in our behavior 24/7.
Failure to do what is right is called sin. The Bible says all have sinned. God sent the law to ensure we understood we are not righteous. The 10 commandments covers a lot of territory, then Jesus came with the 11th commandment. He also brought a plan of salvation so that through his death, burial, and resurrction we might meet God's standard of morality (since we could not on our own). He left us the Holy Spirit to empower us to be right in our behavior, and provided the Bible to clarify any issue or subject we study. Go through the 10 issues the Pew research measured and see what the Bible says. Culture and society should never determine our morality. If you are doing or not doing something based on your personal standards or what someone else says is their standard, STOP. Ethics that are accepted by society are only moral if they are also biblical. Absolute truth never changes.

CULTURAL EFFECTS

The subject of this month's web log is the incredible pressure our American culture puts on our spiritual beliefs. Numerous areas of research point to changing public opinion about subjects as diverse as abortion, homosexuality, smoking, obesity, war, and even automobile mileage. People are fickle, as the creators of entertainment media discover with a second episode of a popular show or movie. Technology speeds up the process. Teenagers who instant message each other have no patience for E-mail. Young adults, who E-mail each other have no patience for US Mail (snail mail). I heard recently that CD sales are dropping by 20% each year with the growth of MP-3 players, including I-PODs. CD's had previously totally replaced cassettes, who had completely replaced LP records with some 8 Track memories in between.

Our modern culture with jet airplane travel, world-wide internet, and growing economic impacts on other countries is also affected by the many cultures around the world. Americans are made up of people who moved here from another country, or children or even grandchildren of people who moved here from another country. Only a few Indians, now known as Native Americans, can claim many centuries of existence in the land we call home. Webster's defines culture as the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties, or an enlightenment of taste acquired by training. A further definition claims culture is the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends on man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.

So how does culture affect my beliefs as a Christian? I was surprised to find the issue is many centuries old. In the third and fourth centuries Socrates and other Greek scholars began to influence the Church in ways that were different from the Hebraic roots of the early Church. The Greek influence appeals more to the intellect, whereas the early-Church Hebraic model appealed to the heart. The Greek influence resulted in more emphasis on oratory skills and cognitive knowledge of God. Over the many centuries, this influence has shown itself in a more programmatic approach to the gospel rather than a process of living out our faith. I grew up being taught that smoking, drinking, dancing and going to the movies was a sin. Ironically, I was taught this by folks who used God's name in vain, complained bitterly about other people in the church, and opened their Bible's only on Sunday. The Ten Commandments were given to show us as humans how far we are from righteousness. Jesus added the 11th, commanding us to love others as we love ourselves. While many Christians fight over the "SIN LIST", the transparent relationship we're called to have with God and others stagnates or dies from lack of focus. This does NOT make the evils of this generation right. About 15 years ago a tolerance movement swept the country and all "politically correct" people believe no one should be criticized. I am not one of them. That being said, the final words of Jesus as he left the earth was "Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations.....teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". Cultures come and go, but his Word lives forever. Making disciples of Jesus Christ starts with their heart, not their head.

If my intellectual and moral faculties (culture) prevent me from accomplishing the goal (my commission), change is required. The same goes for you. All the things you know are bad, are taught are bad, or even believe are bad can be as much of a hindrance as all the things that you
perceive as good. There is no relative truth, only truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the life, and the truth. No one comes to the Father except by me". That's the same right now in every culture on earth as it was 2000 years ago in any culture. For me, the measurement to discern cultural
beliefs from never changing truth is found in the Bible. As for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord.

BALANCE

A recent business seminar I attended reinforced my need for balance in my life. While many people recognize the areas of life as mental, physical, spiritual, personal, family, financial, business and even leadership, the importance of balance is rarely communicated. A quotient is the number obtained by dividing one quantity by another. That ratio is often used to determine our IQ (intelligence quotient) because standardized tests are available to determine our mental age in comparison to our chronological age. Due to a lack of standardized tests, our EQ (emotional quotient), and SQ (spiritual quotient) are not as well known. Balance, however, is only achieved by considering these quotients.

The combination of the quotients, along with a measurement of our physical condition (we'll call PQ) provides for a measure of balance. This is because all the other aspects of life such as family, business, church, financial, friendship, leadership, romance, fame, "success", and even happiness are a result of the 4 key areas that balance must be maintained. The physiological affects the psychological. Achievement involves one or more of the 4 key areas, but balance is achievement in all areas simultaneously. You probably know of people who are considered great achievers in one aspect, but live miserable lives due to deprivation in other aspects. Financial "success" without hope has no lasting value. Working to be the best at anything is useless without balance.

Character based life enriching principles allow a successful balanced life, and can be found in the best selling book of all time. The Bible was written and compiled by men, but those words and inclusions were divinely inspired by God. The creator of each of us is the logical source for an owners manual that covers all aspects and areas of life. Our culture today, as cultures in previous time, attempts to focus us on some areas, but not all. If we fall for this diversion we live our lives without purpose and joy, always searching for more. With the same 24 hours each day available to all, life becomes a choice of how each day is spent. We are all free to make the choices that will determine our destiny, both in this life and eternity. A prioritization plan that include all 4 areas (IQ, EQ, SQ, PQ) is helpful.

As we all have the same 168 hours to spend each week, we start out with the same amount of time, but choose to spend it differently. It's probable that your best score from the IQ, EQ, SQ, and PQ measurements is something you've previously focused on. An action plan to reduce effort in one area should free up time to focus on the low score(s). Activities are not always bad, just not the best for you at a specific time. I encourage you to give this idea a try. Let's say my IQ is 110 and I want to improve it. Try reading. If my EQ is 90. Try some B vitamins and a class to de-stress what's causing emotional outbursts. My SQ might be 105, but the Bible says without works faith is dead. Volunteer some at a church. PQ is at 85 due to being overweight like 90% of Americans? Diet and exercise is the ticket. The numbers are made up, but you already know which areas in your life need work.

Getting started is the first step. Write down your plan and a timeline you think you can achieve the improvement in a balanced life. Reward yourself as you progress. Tell someone you trust about this and be persistent. As I age it becomes easier except for the PQ. I'm striving to get all my scores over 135 at the same time. How about you?

OFFENDING AND OFFENDED

It's OK to offend, be offended, learn to comprehend why, and have rational discussions about the differences. Of the billions of people on the planet, it is reasonable that others would have political, spiritual, cultural, moral, and personality differences from my view of the world. Political correctness had a media focus last month with "Happy Holidays" being offered for "Merry Christmas" in an attempt to not offend the approximate 10% of the population that does not observe Christmas traditions. I sent an E-mail to many people I work with, both at the company I work at and the companies that do business with the company I work at. I also included members of my Toastmasters group that include many other nationalities, political and religious persuasions. I pointed out that as a Christian, the observation of the birth of Jesus is different for me than an atheist, but we all have Christmas on our calendar (think about where the year was measured from). When I express Merry Christmas to them it does not demean them in any way. If they are offended by my right, it is most probable that I would find their expression offensive. If we never say anything that someone else MIGHT find offensive, we'll never say anything. A large number of responses to my E-mail expressed agreement with this stance and none that disagreed (if any) wrote back.

We become uncomfortable discussing subjects we find offensive, so avoiding the subject is just easier. That is how political correctness has grown to be considered good manners. Being sensitive to the stance of others, regardless of their position, is now being taught in school as tolerance. The tolerance being taught says that acceptance of the view of another is crucial, since their equality with you provides the same rights. This misses the whole subject of the truth in their perspective. In it's most outrageous extrapolation, the views of a child molester on child care is equal to mine and must be considered equally when providing for the care of a child. It is far preferable that I'm offended by the molester's stance, and he mine. Civility is what is required. The rational discussion mentioned earlier is what should be taught, not only in school but also in community settings. Why am I offended? Why does someone find my statement or belief offensive? Talking about things that make us uncomfortable leads to new comfort levels. Manners need to be redefined as demonstrating respect and civility in the discussion, NOT AVOIDING subjects.

Where do you get your viewpoints? How much has your background affected your beliefs? Did the education system you were exposed to create factual understanding of the past? Is the Bible the source of truth as I believe, or is truth so relative that we can each make up our own? Is one political system right for all people, or are there needs for multiple versions? How are past atrocities linked to today? Become offended at what is said by someone. Say things that are offensive to someone. It's the discussion that is so critical for our thinking. It's OK.

LOVE LANGUAGES

One of the most profound books I've read is "The 5 Love Languages", by Gary Chapman. The concept is that each of us measures how much we are loved by our love language. According to Dr. Chapman the five are: Quality time, Words of affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical touch. We each have one of those as our primary language, so that if gifts is our love language we believe someone giving us a gift loves us more than someone who says nice things.
We also tend to demonstrate our love in the language most important to us. As an example, my love language is acts of service, so when I do something for someone it is showing love. If their language is gifts, the act of service doesn't have the same impact. The concept of his book is to learn the love language of those around you so you can demonstrate your love in the language they understand and appreciate.
Each member of my family has a different love language, so this understanding was crucial to our relationships. My perception of "hanging out" was that it was a waste of valuable time, until I recognized that my wife's language of quality time made this an important activity. Even though these truths have slowly sunk in over the years since I read his book, it's only been recently that it dawned on me that the opposites made up what irritated me.
If someone has a love language of words of affirmation, words that do not affirm has a far greater effect on them than other people. In my language of acts of service, not doing small things that I expected were more powerful than negative words or non-existant gifts. So that's why the things people do and say affect each of us so differently. It requires more than this recognition to do something about it, but it is a start.

SPEEDING UP MATURITY

Speeding up Maturity
For the longest time I was convinced that the growth process we call maturity had it's own speed for each person that could not be changed. Maturity happens physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The combination of all these aspects is the maturity I'm speaking of, and they used to be on similar timetables.

Examples from people joining the armed services and "growing up", to couples having their first child and dramatically changing were all around me during my formative years. It is said that the hormones and chemicals in our food today is causing more rapid physical maturity, which is quite possible. Or it could be the widespread knowledge of nutritional advances, especially in the early years of growth. It is said that the amount of information made available in the last decade is more than many centuries combined in the past. The mental capacity to process information is not necessarily maturity but it is a higher requirement at an earlier age than ever before. Emotional and spiritual maturity has not been able to keep up with the speed of physical and mental, resulting in many of society's woes. The emotional maturity "catch-up" is what's noticed in the aforementioned armed service and parenting examples. Spiritual maturity has been relegated by society as an option, or perhaps no longer necessary.

There are those that work to slow down the ever increasing speed of physical and mental growth in our youth. There are those that work to pick up the pieces of broken lives in youth that couldn't emotionally and spiritually handle what they physically and mentally could do. There are those that preach against the activities that cause the broken lives, hoping that the increased mental capacity will bring self-control to damaging activities. All of these pursuits are noble, many are needed, but in my opinion they will ultimately fail.

The reason I believe they will fail is that they don't recognize the holistic aspect of humans. Unlike animals, we have souls so the spiritual dimension sets us apart. Spiritual maturity is the key to balancing the other areas of maturity. It is also a key component of emotional maturity. I now believe it can allow overall maturity to speed up. So, the question becomes, how is spiritual maturity obtained? Unlike physical maturity it, it isn't automatic. Unlike mental maturity, it isn't the capacity to process ever increasing amounts of information. Unlike emotional maturity, it isn't gaining control of the feelings that rage in us. Spiritual maturity is the process of changing our focus from ourselves to God, and in that process to others.

A person of any age that can be described as spiritually mature, will therefore be more emotionally mature, will be more mentally mature and in many ways more physically mature. To speed up maturity, take the focus of the moment off yourself. To speed up maturity move the focus of each moment to your creator and his purposes. To speed up maturity move the focus of the moment to those around you (part of God's purposes). The key to this is so simple many people miss it entirely. The Bible says the key is to ask (which puts the focus on God). It does not say the key is to try (which puts the focus on self) harder.

It is crucial that the youth of today capture this vision earlier in life, as the physical and mental changes in their life happen earlier in their chronological progression. This truth must be added to the work that care for the youth of our society. In a day of self-help books, Rick Warren had this message in his best seller The Purpose Driven Life. However, for many centuries it was available in the best seller of all time, THE BIBLE. Availability is not all that ot takes, however. Asking seems so simple. Check this blog's entry for May.

ABSORPTION

ABSORPTION
We are a foolish people. Like sponges, we absorb what's around us from the time we spent in a womb. Everyone agrees little children absorb what they're exposed to, and most competent parents control those circumstances and atmosphere to protect the child. Our society even dictates compulsory education (and at younger and younger ages) so the vast amount of known information can be taught to each of us. It's also a truth that we move toward what we think about. Motivation experts teach focusing on your dream and activating your achievement plan by visualizing the end result coming out the way you dream. You absorb the thoughts, actions, and activities until you "own them". We absorb what we are exposed to.

We are a foolish people. The lie that is foisted on us is this: as you mature, you are able to discern what parts of your exposure will be absorbed. Movies and video games even have a rating system (allegedly to help parents) that indicates which subject matters would be appropriate for select age groups. Laws are passed to prevent purchasing cigarettes before 18 and alcohol before 21. Politicians, and even the courts, insist that you have the freedom to do everything except what they pass laws to disallow. Apparently the government knows which activities will be bad for you (and others), and which you can safely absorb without it changing you. The rest they leave up to you to decide.

We are a foolish people. We absorb what we are exposed to for our entire life. IT CHANGES US. The media knows that repeating anything over and over will make it "true", a lesson taught by many including Hitler. Satan knows that exposure to anything bad to you will result in you absorbing it. Why would we purposely expose ourselves to things that will harm us, harm our families, and harm others? Because we've convinced ourselves that we are old enough, strong enough, and wise enough to control what that exposure does.

We are a foolish people. Lifestyles encouraged or dictated by all major religions address it. Evangelical Christians are known for taking a stand against activities that end in our harm. Sadly, this biblical worldview is trumped by our sinful culture and liberty focused society, so that most Christians and especially youthful Christians believe they can be exposed to sin and they won't absorb the effects. Huge parts of each life is spent learning the painful lesson that we are to be disciplined in what we expose our minds to, and in some cases it is never learned. We are a foolish people.