From Death (Row) to Life

I had dinner last night before our service with a dear friend and former inmate. Butch served about 30 years in prison starting on death row in the 70's. His only reprieve then was a Supreme Court decision to banish the death sentence, thus commuting his sentence to life in prison. I first got to know him eight or nine years ago at Charlotte Correctional Center. At that time he was the hardest convict in the penitentiary. Gambling, numbers, loan sharking - he had a hand in all of it. "Watch out for crazy old Butch" they'd say, "He runs this place." Who better for a chaplain to get to know, right?

Scrabble. That was Butch's entertainment. I wasn't very good. At first. He beat me unmercifully every day, sometimes twice a day, for months. But slowly I got better. And everyday, as we played, we talked. As we talked, his heart softened. We talked about everything - sports, his life, my family and ministry, the gospel. Then it happened. One evening, during the church service, I saw Butch slide into a seat in the back of the chapel. He listened intently and when the invitation came he shot to the altar to say yes to Jesus Christ in his life. His transformation was so radical it was noticed by everyone. Correctional officers noticed. Inmates noticed. Even the prison superintendent noticed. He called me to his office one day a few months later to ask, "What's going on with Butch? He's not acting the same." He gave up all of the gambling and other illegal activities and began a real, vibrant walk with the Lord. He once told me that getting saved beat him out of about $500 per week he was making in illegal activities on the prison yard.

Butch has been out of prison for about six months now. That in itself is a miracle. He's married now to a wonderful, godly woman. He goes to work everyday on a job where he is highly thought of by his employer and respected by coworkers. He's in church every time the doors are open.
As we enjoyed dinner together last night we talked about all of that. He said something that struck me, something I won't just dismiss. He said, "Chap, I was on death row with an execution date set. God spared me. He kept me through all those years in prison, and He saved me. I don't deserve any of it, but I know He has a reason for it all. I just want to serve Him with the time I have left."

I'm so proud of Butch. He inspires me to keep going on in the work of the Lord in this dark place. He also humbles me. The Lord has made such a change in his life. He has great faith. I really think the student has surpassed the teacher in so many ways.

Oh yeah. I finally did get good enough to beat him fairly regularly in Scrabble, too.

'Church Light' Doesn't Work

Let me finish my rant from yesterday concerning the 'seeker friendly' and 'emerging church' movements. What's important, according to Jesus' repeated admonitions in the gospels, is the making of disciples. It's not just drawing a crowd. Now there is hard evidence that 'church light' ain't working to further the making of disciples in the Kingdom of God.
Willow Creek Community Church, the grandaddy of the 'seeker sensitive' movement, has admitted in a very forthright assessment of their congregation that they have failed the disciple-making test. While they've had sky rocketing attendance and lots of involvement in church programs for years, many who count themselves members of Willow Creek find themselves stunted in their spiritual growth, lagging in their walk with Christ, and increasingly frustrated with a church that lacks depth in it's teaching and preaching. In fact, one fourth of all adults in this mega-church said they were seriously dissatified and considering leaving the church.

I guess the message here ought to be clear enough: There is no revolutionary new, or easy way to make a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Theology and doctrine are critical. And taking up a cross, and denying one's self are part of the equation as well. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Church the following (Galatians 2:20):
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it's no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Somehow I doubt this verse gets discussed much around the cappucino maker in the lobby of 'church light'.

Doing 'Church Light' - A Cause for Concern

"There is a way which seems right unto a man, but it's end is the way of death."
~ Proverbs 14:12

Over the past twenty years or so, there has been a subtle, yet radical shift in the approach of many within the body of Christ to "doing church". We've seen the 'seeker-sensitive' church model followed closely by, and closely related to, the 'emerging church' model. These congregations are springing up at an alarming rate. They meet in movie theaters, school auditoriums, and even local coffee shops and restaurants. Just last week as I drove near my home in Charlotte, I noticed sandwich board signs posted along the road for six different "new and exciting" places of worship within just a few miles. For many of these, the old ways have been cast aside in the interest of "meeting people where they are", thus the term 'seeker-sensitive'. In practical terms, this has come to mean the following:

• Traditional, expository preaching emphasizing theology and doctrine have been replaced with topical preaching that is meant to address the 'felt needs' of the listener.
• Worship is centered around the audiences' experience and pleasure rather than the glory and majesty of God.
• Biblical discipleship is replaced with holistic programming aimed at keeping people engaged and involved in much activity.

While many of these congregations have seen incredible growth, I've long wondered what manner of disciple of Jesus Christ these churches were producing. Some, in an effort to be attractive to the world's seekers, have come to resemble the world in many ways. I recently heard of one such church locally that hires-in musicians from out-of-town each week to lead worship. Of course, professional musicians may impress an audience, but the fact remains that these "hired guns" are not saved, do not profess Christ as Lord, and have never had a born-again experience for themselves. How do you worship - and lead others in the worship - of One you don't know?

Our call, as the Apostle Paul defined it in Romans 8:29, is to be "conformed to the image of His Son" - that is, to be made like Jesus Christ. It seems to me that this shift in emphasis has left many in the church trying to conform Christ to our image. They seem to want to make Him like us, rather than to be made like Him. That's sad. It's also deceptive. And ultimately, it leaves it's followers with a false sense of security, thinking that attendance means salvation and involvement in much activity equals sanctification.

Another admonition from the Apostle Paul, this one to a young preacher, would seem appropriate for the church and it's leadership in our day: "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." ~ 1 Timothy 4:16

"Oh Lord, give depth to our ministry and calling as we go about to make disciples of all nations. Amen"

Wisdom From an Unlikely Source

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little more."
~ The Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Here We Go

And so it's begun ... the frenzied rush toward Christmas. Many hit panic mode the day after Thanksgiving. There are lists to be made, gifts to be purchased, decorations to be hung, cards to be sent, and more celebrations to attend than you can keep up with. The season of 'Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men' tends to become a demanding grind that wears us out and saps our joy. Once again I'm determined not to let it happen. But that doesn't mean I'll be sitting this one out.
I love Christmas. I love the lights, and the trees, and the celebrations, the music, and the letters and cards from friends and loved ones scattered all around the globe. But I very much intend to keep it all in perspective.

I've been mulling the Scriptures concerning this Son of God whom we celebrate. He is the perfect gift. His radiance outshines the brightest of Christmas lights. He is the reason our hearts sing. And He is the friend who loves us and stays closer than any other.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets and in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ...
~ Hebrews 1:1-3

That is our cause for celebration.

Hope Yours Was Awesome

Am I Like the Nine?

11 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.

12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;

13 and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

14 When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed.

15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,

16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine--where are they?

18 "Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?"

19 And He said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has made you well."

When I think about God's goodness in my life I often think of this incident in Luke 17. I wonder: Am I like the one who returned to give thanks? Or am I like the nine? I'm sure they were happy. Maybe they even felt some sense of gratitude. So why didn't they do as their comrade?

I suspect they were too caught up in what they had to do next. Their lives had been decimated by their disease. They'd lost everything; homes, families, employment. Now that they'd been restored there was just too much to do. But it wouldn't have taken much to say, "Thank you" like their friend. And it seems as if the Lord expected it.

We've so much to be thankful for, don't we? Maybe it's time for us to turn our once yearly day of Thanksgiving into everyday thanks-living.

I'm Thankful For ...

My bride of over 26 years now. She really is my best friend.

In Everything Give Thanks

Following is the 1863 Lincoln Presidential Proclamation - celebrated shortly after Lincoln committed his life to Christ and celebrated while America was still in the midst of its Civil War. It was this proclamation which eventually led to the establishment of our national Thanksgiving holiday.

By the President of the United States of America
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows,orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
A. Lincoln

Much to be Thankful For

I have so much to be thankful for!

Grandchildren are the crown of old men, ...
Proverbs 17:6

Preoccupied?

"We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God."
~ A.W. Tozer

An everlasting preoccupation with God! I love the thought of that. But I seem to be preoccupied much of the time with everything else in the world. Call it focus, or vision, or priority... Whatever. I've heard all of the messages and preached most of them myself. Yet I have no answers, nor can I make any excuses.
Maybe this is why monks for many centuries have locked themselves away in monasteries. So that their preoccupation with God will grow to consume their lives. But how do I live this out in the course of the life that He has given me to live?

Stupidity in the Name of Jesus

In the face of a Senate inquiry into questionable financial activities in a number of nationally known ministries, one of those being investigated (Creflo Dollar) had this to say: "Without a doubt, my life is not average. But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."

That may be the most ignorant, the stupidest, most assinine, and blatantly unscriptural statement I've ever heard by anyone concerning anything. Yet thousands of people sit and listen to this fool preach this garbage every week, and millions more watch him on television and send him their money. This crap flies in the face of everything the Bible teaches us about having the material things of this world. This idiot calls himself a pastor. But a pastor doesn't say things like that. And a pastor doesn't live an opulent lifestyle on the backs of God's people. Rather than brag about his 'excessive' lifestyle, this man should fall on his face and repent before God.

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!"
~ James 5:1-3

Can you tell I'm angry? It's this kind of foolishness that is crippling the church today and making us the world's laughingstock. I just think it's time we call it what it is.

When Two Out of Three Isn't Good Enough

"... But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
~ James 1:19

In almost everything in life two out of three is more than acceptable. In fact, two thirds is considered to be pretty good in most endeavors. A baseball player who gets a hit two out of every three at bats is hall of fame bound.
But in James' admonition, two out of three just isn't good enough. Being quick to hear does us no good if we're not slow to speak and slow to anger at the same time. Being slow to speak is of no benefit if we refuse to hear. And being slow to anger while talking too much and not listening might be considered by some just blissful ignorance.

James 1:19 has been my struggle for many years. It seems like even as I find progress in one area, I'm still struggling with another. While I'm learning to listen, I still have too much to say. And when I make a concerted effort to keep my mouth shut, too often I find anger boiling up on the inside.
Maybe it all comes together with age and experience, or maybe its just all learned behavior. As I get older, I do think I'm making progress. But I'll not be satisfied with two out of three.

How Great

I'm so bored of little gods
While standing on the edge of something large
While standing here so close to You
We could be consumed

What a glorious day

~ David Crowder Band - 'How Great'


The Bible says in Hebrews 12:29 that our God is a consuming fire. Jeremiah knew that it is only by His mercies that we are not consumed. (Lamentations 3:22) He is a great and awesome God.
Sadly, all to often we substitute 'little gods' in His place in our lives. In doing so, we back away from the edge of all He wants to be and to do in us.

Marriage

A woman was awakened in the middle of the night and noticed her husband was not in the bed beside her. She got out of bed and went downstairs where she found him sitting at the kitchen table crying. Concerned, she asked, "Honey, what's wrong? Why are you sitting here in the middle of the night crying?"
As he dried his tears, he asked her, "Do you remember that time when you were sixteen and your daddy caught us in the backseat of my car?"
"Yes, I remember, "she said.
"Do you remember what he said?"
"I think so, "came her reply.
"He said that I had to marry you or that he'd make sure I spent the next twenty years in prison."
Remembering it all clearly, she said, "But honey, I still don't understand why you're sitting here like this in the middle of the night."

Wiping his tears once again on his sleeve, he answered, "I would have gotten out today."

Redeeming the Time

Tim is an inmate at Charlotte Correctional Center whom I've gotten to know well over the past number of months. I baptized him just a few weeks ago. This morning he came by my office. By the grin on his face I knew something was up. He had something to show me. It was his high school diploma. At thirty-seven years old, having been kicked out of school as a teenager, and having failed and disappointed so many people so often, he is now a high school graduate. He is so proud. So am I. I've been encouraging him throughout his months here that he could do this. And he has worked hard.

Tim is a literal example of 'redeeming the time' as Paul admonished in Ephesians 5:16. It's so easy to give up; to listen to those who tell us that we'll never amount to anything. It's easy to believe the lie that we can't achieve our goals because our past will always hold us down. Many when they get to this place simply lay down and quit.
But Tim used his time of incarceration to accomplish something positive and overcome a major obstacle in his life. He began by trusting the Lord, and then he worked his butt off.
And the payoff? If you would have seen his face this morning, you'd know.

Is there a Tim in your life today? What could those around you accomplish with a little bit of faith and with your encouragement?

Going the Long Way Around

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
~ Proverbs 3:5-6

We can all quote it, can't we? The difficulty comes in actually living it out. Most days we do alright. But there are those days when nothing seems to make any sense and we're not sure what God is up to. Where is He leading us? And why?

When Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the children of Israel to leave Egypt, God did something peculiar. The Bible says, "... God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near, for God said, 'Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.'
Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; ..."

Had they leaned on their own understanding, God's people would have probably taken the shorter route. Can't you just picture Moses and Aaron huddled over their maps. "This way looks shorter, Moses. I think we ought to cut through here. Look! It's a straight shot."
And had they done that, they would have found themselves caught-up in a war they were totally unprepared for. God knew that. So He led them the long way around.

The wilderness way was longer, and more difficult. It took longer. It was hot and uncomfortable. But it was the safest and surest way for the people of Israel to go.

Where is He leading you today? Wherever you find yourself, you can be sure He knows what He is doing. Even if it seems like your going the long way around.

Bound By Time

Daylight Savings Time ended over the weekend. We turned the clocks back, thereby 'gaining' an hour. I spent mine sleeping.

Odd how we do, isn't it? We play with time as if we have some real and meaningful say in its dispensation. We move the clocks forward in the Spring, then back in the Fall. We try to manipulate time. We think we can somehow control it. We can't. But we are subject to it.

"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be."
~ Pslam 139:16 (NIV)

A Purely Politcal Rant

Typically, I try not to go political on this forum. First, I don't want to lower the dialogue to that level. And politicians are such an easy target I could spend my whole life blogging about their stupidity. There are enough of those blogs out there already. But today I just can't help myself.

Robert Reich, former Clinton cabinet secretary and economic expert said the following recently on CNBC: "The middle class is - is spending too much in terms of taxes."

Spending too much in terms of taxes? What?!?

I don't remember going into the "Tax Store" at the mall and choosing to spend my money there. We can spend too much on clothes, or on fast food. We might even spend too much for a house or an automobile. But, if I understand the way this works, I don't 'spend' taxes. They are collected from me.

Spending too much in terms of taxes? For a supposed 'genius' that was a really stupid statement. But I think it exemplifies the total disconnect between our nation's policy makers and the rest of us.

Is There Life After Life?

I have a dilemma today. A heavy heart.

I've been counseling for a while with a young man named Michael. He used to be incarcerated at Charlotte Correctional Center. That's where I first met him. I was his chaplain.
For the past two years, Michael has been in a local jail awaiting trial. After he was released from prison he got caught up in a robbery scheme and committed a horrific crime. The jail chaplain called me shortly after he was locked-up saying that Michael had requested to see me. I was the only one he could or would talk to. So began a series of visits during one of which I had the privilege of praying with Michael to invite Christ to come into his life. It's been a long road.

Yesterday, Michael received his sentence. Life. Life with no chance for parole.

A fair sentence? Yes. Deserved? Absolutely.

It's easy for us to look through the eyes of jurisprudence and to say yes, justice has been served. Society is safe from the likes of Michael. But behind the sentence, and beyond the righteous indignation of all of the good people in the community, there is a twenty-six year old man who will never taste freedom again. Every breath that he draws, every move will be at the whim of the State of North Carolina.
Michael threw his life away the moment he pulled that trigger. Then he took up a new life sitting in a cell with me in prayer not long ago. Now I'm wondering: Is there life after life without parole for Michael? I'm just not sure how to feel about it all.