After twelve years ministering to prisoners, I thought I'd seen and heard everything. But here's a new one:
I just received a request from an inmate serving a life sentence. He's been in prison for twenty years. He wants to get engaged (not sure to whom he wants to propose) and is asking me to help him get an engagement ring.
According to his request, he was "told" (I don't know who tells these inmates all this stuff) that I would help out with everything he needs to do.
Hmmm. What's a chaplain to do? I'm not even sure how to answer this one.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Grace A-N-D Truth
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
~ John 1:14
As Christians, we are called to model our lives after Jesus Christ. And the gospel teaches us that He was full of both grace and truth. That is a balance that, if we're honest, we struggle mightily to achieve.
I've known some who pride themselves on being 'full of truth.' They wield it like a sledge hammer. Hurt feelings and crushed spirits don't matter to them. Their concern is for "the truth." I've seen their preaching drive some away from the church, and away from the caring arms of the Savior. But their attitude seems to reflect the famous Jack Nicholson line in A Few Good Men: "You can't handle the truth!"
I've known others who's tilt toward grace is such that they're willing to throw out standards and doctrine and priniciples, all in the name of 'grace.' Afterall, they reason, doesn't God's grace extended to us save us? If grace was sufficient for the Apostle Paul, even in his affliction, shouldn't we be careful to cover everything and everyone in such grace?
But grace at the expense of everything else becomes what Bonhoffer called "cheap grace." It's empty and invalid because it lacks any measure of truth to support it.
'Grace and truth' is not an either-or proposition. As followers of Christ, we're called to be filled with both.
~ John 1:14
As Christians, we are called to model our lives after Jesus Christ. And the gospel teaches us that He was full of both grace and truth. That is a balance that, if we're honest, we struggle mightily to achieve.
I've known some who pride themselves on being 'full of truth.' They wield it like a sledge hammer. Hurt feelings and crushed spirits don't matter to them. Their concern is for "the truth." I've seen their preaching drive some away from the church, and away from the caring arms of the Savior. But their attitude seems to reflect the famous Jack Nicholson line in A Few Good Men: "You can't handle the truth!"
I've known others who's tilt toward grace is such that they're willing to throw out standards and doctrine and priniciples, all in the name of 'grace.' Afterall, they reason, doesn't God's grace extended to us save us? If grace was sufficient for the Apostle Paul, even in his affliction, shouldn't we be careful to cover everything and everyone in such grace?
But grace at the expense of everything else becomes what Bonhoffer called "cheap grace." It's empty and invalid because it lacks any measure of truth to support it.
'Grace and truth' is not an either-or proposition. As followers of Christ, we're called to be filled with both.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Core Values and Principles? Not Mine
In his first week in office, President Barack Obama signed an executive order effectively banning all torture of enemy combatants taken as prisoners. The order clamps down on any and all harsh interrogation techniques. At the signing, the President said, "Government must adhere to core values and principles."
Two days later, the President signed another executive order. This one lifted the ban on federal funding for international non-governmental agencies that offer abortion services.
I'm wondering about those core values and principles.
Now comes word that the President's $800 billion + economic stimulus proposal includes millions to provide contraceptives. When asked about this rather odd expediture in an economic stimulus bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi replied, "Well, contraception will help the economy." She went on to say that states are struggling with the costs of children's health care, education and other expenses. So by distributing contraceptives, therby reducing the number of births, the cost to government is reduced. (In other words, our government now sees children as a burden to the state rather than a blessing.)
Anybody want to hazard a guess as to which ethnic or socio-economic groups they plan to distribute these contraceptives to?
Core values and principles?
“Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation.” ~Proverbs 16:12 (The Message)
Two days later, the President signed another executive order. This one lifted the ban on federal funding for international non-governmental agencies that offer abortion services.
I'm wondering about those core values and principles.
Now comes word that the President's $800 billion + economic stimulus proposal includes millions to provide contraceptives. When asked about this rather odd expediture in an economic stimulus bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi replied, "Well, contraception will help the economy." She went on to say that states are struggling with the costs of children's health care, education and other expenses. So by distributing contraceptives, therby reducing the number of births, the cost to government is reduced. (In other words, our government now sees children as a burden to the state rather than a blessing.)
Anybody want to hazard a guess as to which ethnic or socio-economic groups they plan to distribute these contraceptives to?
Core values and principles?
“Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation.” ~Proverbs 16:12 (The Message)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Radically Different Idea
This is Pastor Francis Chan at the Catalyst Conference. It's as challenging a message as I've heard in some time.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Faith
"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 direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse of Scripture, which most of us can quote, is far from passive. Yet, very often, our interpretation is just that: Passive. Too often, we talk about trusting God with a sense of resignation. It's as if trusting God is like buying lottery tickets. A risky gambit.
But this verse of Scripture, along with the entire Bible, advocates an active trust in God. Obedience and striving and believing and acting on what God's Word says are all part of "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ..."
It's like exercise. (I'm only guessing here. I'm not a big fitness geek.) Wishing and hoping, and even hanging around the fitness equipment doesn't help me get in shape or lose weight. Only when I actively engage in an exercise regimen can I expect the desired result. And only when I actively engage in what thus sayeth the Lord can I expect to see Him truly directing my paths.
When I'm actively trusting Him and He's directing my paths, I'm usually amazed at where I end up.
Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse of Scripture, which most of us can quote, is far from passive. Yet, very often, our interpretation is just that: Passive. Too often, we talk about trusting God with a sense of resignation. It's as if trusting God is like buying lottery tickets. A risky gambit.
But this verse of Scripture, along with the entire Bible, advocates an active trust in God. Obedience and striving and believing and acting on what God's Word says are all part of "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ..."
It's like exercise. (I'm only guessing here. I'm not a big fitness geek.) Wishing and hoping, and even hanging around the fitness equipment doesn't help me get in shape or lose weight. Only when I actively engage in an exercise regimen can I expect the desired result. And only when I actively engage in what thus sayeth the Lord can I expect to see Him truly directing my paths.
When I'm actively trusting Him and He's directing my paths, I'm usually amazed at where I end up.
Monday, January 12, 2009
S-N-O-W!
In His questioning of Job, the Lord asked specifically: "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow ... which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of war and battle?" (Job 38:22-23)
Well, this week I'll do just that. Sharon and I are flying to Minnesota to visit her folks. I know. You're probably asking yourself: Who flys to Minnesota in January?
This morning I looked at the weather forecast for our arrival: It's going to be -6. -6!
Well, this week I'll do just that. Sharon and I are flying to Minnesota to visit her folks. I know. You're probably asking yourself: Who flys to Minnesota in January?
This morning I looked at the weather forecast for our arrival: It's going to be -6. -6!
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