DoxA

Oh Yeah... I Have a Blog

Sorry it's been a while for those of you who are subscribed and check in here often. It's been a rather busy couple of weeks with yet, more travel to come. So... here's a quick update to give you a reason and to assure you I'll be back to a normal routine soon.

That wonderful photo you're looking at was taken the other night by friend and fellow colleague Joe Brown, pastor of Hillside Evangelical Free Church in San Jose. I, along with 9 other pastors from San Jose, met up with Larry Pegram of the Values Advocacy Council, who graciously made it possible for all to attend the Watchmen On the Wall Conference which is sponsored and presented by the Family Research Council. I have to admit I'm not one to Hang out with folks who routinely walk around in suits and tie with an American flag lapel pin but pleasantly this trip was less about politics and more about the heart of the church and pastors who must protect the fundamental values of God's Word.

Training for my upcoming race has been severely hindered by this month's heavy travel schedule. I was hoping to show up race day with my engine ready to roar but I've been unable to properly prepare. What was to be my early season "A" race may be a "B-" But life does not get in the way of triathlon... triathlon is a part of life and with my life there are many parts!

A couple of weeks ago, when back in North Carolina, I was able to gain a few new friends and valuable training on preparing and presenting concise talks in front of an audience. Hmmm, no comments from the peanut gallery! Added to that a quick trip to Palm Springs and I've found myself spending more time away from home during the month of May than being home.

Oh... I also have a church. For which I am grateful for their generosity and support of my time away. I am finishing this now so I can continue to prepare for them and provide a bit of what I've been given while away. May they, like I, be encouraged and challenged to be all that Christ desires of his Church.

Back soon!

Not Participating in the Recession

Tonight at 7pm, Pacific time, we'll be hosting Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope. Hope you can make it. If you're not in the San Jose area find a location near you by going HERE.

We have appreciated Dave Ramsey's straight forward approach to financial responsibility... It is our responsibility, not the governments or your parents or a credit company. As Dave Ramsey says, "we should live like no one else so we can live like no one else;" meaning if we sacrifice the easy way and live by making the hard choices, no credit cards, saving responsibly, etc. we'll later be able to live without money worries and flow with the unexpected turns in life. He calls it Financial Peace.

Three times a year, here at Twin Oaks Church, we host a thirteen week course of Financial Peace University. Already dozens of couples have worked their way out of debt and onto the road of financial recovery. If you're finding yourself in a place where you just don't know how to get out from under the financial landslide, you're personally facing, you would be better off attending FPU than waiting for a government bailout!

Tea Anyone?

Just as I was sitting down to write this post a friend of mine in Colorado Twittered, "Tea Anyone?" Instantly, I got it but realized few would; which is why I wanted to write this quick post.

Today, all around the country, there are small to significant rallies and protests against the bureaucracy and out of control spending our government is enjoying while the American people are enjoying little. In the past these types of gatherings would require organized leadership and methods of announcement dependent upon established authority and civic duty... but not anymore. Why? Social Networking! Look at what Glenn Harlan Reynolds wrote today in the op-ed section of the Wall Street Journal.

In the old days, organizing large groups of people required, well, an organization: a political party, a labor union, a church or some other sort of structure. Now people can coordinate themselves.

We saw a bit of this in the 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns, with things like Howard Dean's use of Meetup, and Barack Obama's use of Facebook. But this was still social-networking in support of an existing organization or campaign. The tea-party protest movement is organizing itself, on its own behalf. Some existing organizations, like Newt Gingrich's American Solutions and FreedomWorks, have gotten involved. But they're involved as followers and facilitators, not leaders. The leaders are appearing on their own, and reaching out to others through blogs, Facebook, chat boards and alternative media.

It'll be interesting to see how this will matter or whether anything will come of it. But then again, while the Boston Harbor, in the still of an evening became the largest, albeit salty, pot of tea the world has known, didn't just flush out to sea... No, without a sip, it became the elixir of a revolution.

It's the Economy Making Me... Stupid!

 The campaign slogan of the Clinton administration is ringing in my ears after a late night of channel surfing. After watching the likes of CNN, FOX News and CNBC it appears everyone has an opinion about the economy and frankly, none of it makes sense. There seems to be no shortage of posturing and/or finger pointing yet an astonishing vacuum of ideas and solutions. I too have an opinion, so here it goes...

It's easy to take shots at our leaders and feel entitled because we too joined the circle of a school yard fight but does any of this really help? What we need is a cease fire! Unfortunately, hearing political pundits forge weak cases for their own dialectics, I'll agree that on one hand we should keep loosely supported thoughts to ourselves yet on the other, someone needs to suggest the very policies and solutions unfolding should be halted, but for a time, to see the types of impact this first 90 days is having on our economy.

Why are the markets in a free fall? Where has confidence gone? When will we see the balance of sacrifice hit "EVERYONE?" Right now, all I hear is, "The Rich, the Rich, the Rich!" Who are the rich and what defines those who are? In the world's standards, aren't we all rich here in the "good ol' US of A?" Yes, we have people who live in less than ideal conditions - poverty; it's argued. But compared to Ghana? Afghanistan? Haiti?

I believe we are rich and we should help those who are captive to impoverished need. I do believe "Fat Cat" corporations are guilty of preying on the weakness of the poor and should be punished for their abuse. But I also believe what makes the "Rich" is the heart of good, hard working people, through freedom and creativity making something for themselves and by doing so create something for those who could not. Honestly, do you want the government to determine who can prosper and those who can not? Have we really considered the consequences of removing the incentives of personal prosperity?

Yeah, yeah... I know, we have more than our fair share of exotic-car loving, substance abusing, obnoxiously selfish, head rippers but when I see this country I look at the generosity of people toward others and whether sacrificial or diabolical, I still believe justice is served. We hear decries about imperialism and how America is only concerned for it's own welfare and I say they are negative, no-gooders who refuse to see beyond their own political idealism to look at women who hold bake sales for single mothers dying from cancer, children who start nonprofits for the homeless and men who, while out of work themselves, fly to the south to clear debris and remove moldy drywall from a slum ward after a hurricane!

The generosity and good nature of America is strong and healthy. Not because the government made it so, but because the government allows it! If we insist in a redistribution of the very "thing" of those that have to those who don't, we'll break the will of our goodness and completely destroy any remaining drive to help our fellow. That thing is not called wealth it's called... opportunity.

So, don't be dumb. Don't let anyone take it from you and may you give it away!

For the Record

 

It's Raining... Again

Most of you know by now, having come to the SF Bay Area from Palm Springs I bemoan the amount of wetness that falls from the sky. We talk a lot about the weather here, like how little rain we've had and the severe drought conditions we're facing. But in four days it has just rained and rained and rained and rained... and they say it will rain again tomorrow.

I'm an outdoor kinda guy. So rain for me, is no fun. Yesterday, I drove over to Santa Cruz to witness the conclusion of Stage 2 of the largest cycling event in our country; the Tour de California. For three days now these guys have had to ride over a hundred miles a day in bone-chilling, core-soaking rain! For once I'm glad I'm not a professional cyclist!

 

I recall being asked once why I talked about the weather a lot when welcoming people to the church during the worship service. "Welcome everyone. Great to see you today. Hey, how 'bout that tornado we just had." It was as though he was saying to me, "Don't you have anything more important to talk about?" Well I think the weather IS important to talk about. Here are my reasons.

When you come to church, you and or your family come from different places, sharing different emotions, coming from different experiences. So, starting right into the main thought of the day can be a far leap from where you've been to where you need to go. Therefore, it's best to give people a bridge that is wide enough everyone can cross... How you do that can be varied but I like to get everyone on the same page as soon as possible and this is where the weather comes in. No matter from where you come or what you're experiencing; we all come in from and experiencing the same weather! It is the natural common denominator. Just for a moment, if you can get everyone to agree about one thing there's a better chance you'll get them to agree on other things, like needing God's grace or caring for each other...

So, though you may like the rain and I don't, at least we agree; it's raining! And in a world where we are more defined by our differences perhaps we can begin to find agreement and start movement toward at least one thing... And like Curly in City Slickers says, "We all got to find that one thing."

To Bear Children or Not to Bear Children

Warning! This post contains politically incorrect views. Reader discretion is advised.

Last night I was watching the interview with Nadya Suleman, the single mother who recently gave birth to eight babies through in vitro fertilization. There is a tremendous outrage surrounding this mother's decision to have these children. I have heard and read things like, "irresponsible" or "immoral." I find it funny from where these comments are coming. Those very people who have insisted over the past 36 years, since the passage of Roe v Wade, that a woman's reproductive right to do with her body is a choice between her and nobody else are the very ones crying "foul." Also, amazing is the outrage over the sensibilities of her doctor to do such a thing as place six embryo's (two of which became twins) inside her. This comes in the same state which last year the State Supreme Court ruled it is illegal for a doctor to refuse on religious grounds inseminating a lesbian.

Is this not hypocrisy at it's highest?

I have to admit, I am uncomfortable with the notion of 14 children in the home of a single mother who appears to have "issues." But this society which is so quick to point it's bony finger of unholy piety at the church and call out it's leaders for speaking about morality, has a big ol chunk of green stuff stuck in it's teeth. I find this incredibly disingenuous. So, stop smiling as you condescend to the rest of us!

So, while we toss and turn or flail and wail about what to do with this woman we should be thinking about the true innocents... the children.

A Letter to Our Next President

Dear President Elect Obama,

Congratulations on becoming our nation's 44th President. I am hopeful for our country and continue to believe, even amid difficult financial and social challenges as a nation, we can be more prosperous, secure and generous in the coming years under your leadership. I am praying for you and committed to follow your lead. I will not speak negatively about you and will encourage others to be like-minded. I am unwilling to believe much of what I hear about you until I have a chance to see from you what I've heard. I am going to speak my convictions but do so respectfully if I disagree with you. I am going to protect the unity of our United States and if necessary fight for it. Lastly, you have my commitment that I will sacrificially serve the people of this country, I will endeavor to speak boldly against bigotry and stand for the equality of all people and I will seek justice for those who have no voice. You have my word!

Here is what I ask of you... Respect the office to which you were elected by hearing the voice of ALL people, not just those who share your views or voted for you. You represent the people meaning, not only shall you hear but you must serve the people. Therefore, it must be asked, "Who are the people?"

I believe the people are those who the constitution states are to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity... We are the people. We are... minority and majority. We are... poor and rich. We are... sick and healthy. We are uneducated and graduated. We are... weak and strong. We are... employee and employer. We are... young and old. We are... secular and spiritual. We are... in the words of President Lincoln, a government of the people, by the people for the people.

Now I realize you will not be able to please all the people all the time. I will, no doubt, be disappointed at times with decisions and actions that are made in favor of another. However, I heard you talk about sacrifice and I agree with you. Sacrifice comes in many forms such as those made by men and women who are giving and have given "the last full measure of devotion" for this country. But sacrifice should not be theirs alone; call all Americans, not just those who have, but those who receive to a greater call of duty. You have an opportunity unlike any other, to end entitlement expectations, to silence racism and to promote union. May God grant you wisdom, give you favor and protect your way as you begin this new journey down a familiar path we have never seen before.

You have the job of leading us. However, the work is ours.

How Low Can We Go?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Public opinion, I am sorry to say, will bear a great deal of nonsense. There is scarcely any absurdity so gross, whether in religion, politics, science or manners, which it will not bear."

Partly due to my occupation and mostly due to the political climate of our time, I am hearing some pretty crazy things lately. Some of these things may have been said by you. I have perhaps said a few things too I should have kept to myself. What amazes me in all this is the justification to say horrible personal things about people who hold opposing political or religious views. It's as if we are given a hunting license for Character assassination.  Callously we aim our guns, squeeze the trigger and spew our napalm of fiery words that stick and burn while the issues remain untouched and the people chard. Paul says,

"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive​so that you will have the right response for everyone." Colossians 4:6

Perhaps we would do well to catch our words in our minds before we let them fall from our mouths. Speak with compassion before passion, act with kindness before blindness and model wisdom not folly.

No matter who the candidate, no matter what the issue; they are just as important as and for the people Christ died for... one crucifixion was enough!