A Quick Plug

So many Christians are convinced that Christmas derived from a pagan festival and has nothing to do with Christ's birth. But I've found out in recent years that while the date of his birth was not known, there is more evidence that Dec. 25 was chosen as the date, not as a compromise with pagan festivals, but to offer an alternative. Check out the article on my web site: Is Christmas Pagan?

Assorted Ramblings

OK, so what have I been up to? Not a whole lot. Time is a blur and half the time I don't know where it's gone.

Been listening to a lot of different music lately. The remastered Beatles albums are amazing. It's like they're right there in the room with you.

Also been listening to a lot of music I used to think was "wicked" or at least "rebellious" in my younger days and so didn't listen to it. Things like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Grand Funk Railroad, Santana, Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, etc. I missed so much because of my uptight desire to "be good."

I've also been getting reacquainted with Elton John's music. For years I couldn't listen to it because it reminded me of my old girlfriend, and it made me depressed for various other reasons too. I find that I'm able to listen to it again without that happening. It's like being reunited with an old friend.

Speaking of old friends, I've also been listening to a lot of jazz, and just today I was listening to Airto Moreira's album, Fingers. An old friend named Jan turned me on to him years ago, and I remember trying to learn to play a song from that album on the guitar when I visited her in Rapid City, SD. Haven't heard from Jan in years, sadly.

I remember I wanted to be more than friends with her at first but she wasn't interested in me that way. Still, we could talk to each other about anything, and she was my best friend. After a while I figured out that I mainly wanted to be more than friends because I got along better with her than I ever had with any of my "girlfriends." I also figured out we were better off as friends because we were so much alike that if we'd been "romantic" we'd have driven each other crazy! I think I found her address on line a couple of years ago and wrote to her but never heard anything back.

I lost touch with most of my old friends from The Way, which is a drag because pretty much everyone I was friends with for most of my adult life I knew from The Way. So most of my life is limited to memories now because of that. The one exception is Melodie, whom I am amazed is still with me. She has remained at my side through everything, no matter how difficult I may have been. I don't know what's wrong with her! WHAT WAS SHE THINKING???

Oh well... Life goes on (Ob-la-di, ob-la-da!)

Hate Crimes Bill

Why are so many "religious" people upset about the hate crimes bill? Do they really think it's "free speech" to be allowed to assault someone based on their gender or sexual orientation?

More likely, it's just out of ignorance of the facts. One article that was linked from FaceBook began by saying, "A 'hate crimes' bill opponents claim will be used to crack down on Christian speech, even the reading of the Bible, was signed into law today by President Obama." (WorldNetDaily)

But the article's only basis for this statement was what "opponents claim" would happen. A little research would show that it is not the case. In actuality, the bill has nothing to do with speech, but is directed against ACTS OF VIOLENCE. The following is from CNN:

Several religious groups have expressed concern that a hate-crimes law could be used to criminalize conservative speech relating to subjects such as abortion or homosexuality.

But Attorney General Eric Holder has said that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs.

Another argument that keeps getting made is that the victims of hate crimes would be getting "special treatment" and that we already have laws on the books about violent assaults.

I used to buy into the argument that said, "All crimes are hate crimes; nobody that commits a crime is walking in love." But the fact is, while most crimes are motivated by greed or jealousy, not all of them are specifically motivated by hate for a particular group of people. That is what defines a hate crime.

And yes, we do have laws in place, even about hate crimes. The new bill simply expands the 1969 federal hate-crimes law to add sexual orientation and a few other things to the definition. Again, it is not in any way inhibiting free speech.

The hate-crimes amendment expands the 1969 federal hate-crimes law to include sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and mental or physical disability; provide funding to local and state agencies to investigate hate crimes; remove the current stipulation that offenses must be committed while a victim is engaging in a federally protected activity; and provide the Justice Department greater jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. (Philadelphia Gay News)

The House voted Thursday to expand the definition of violent federal hate crimes to cover those committed because of a victim’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability...

The hate crimes legislation allocates $5 million per year to the Justice Department to provide assistance to local communities in investigating such crimes, a process that can sometimes strain local police resources. It allows the Justice Department to assist in the inquiry and prosecution of such crimes if requested by local authorities.

"The problem of crimes motivated by bias is sufficiently serious, widespread and interstate in nature as to warrant federal assistance to states, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes," the measure says. (The Caucus, the Politics and Government Blog of the NY Times)

Normally I don't get involved with political issues, but when people who claim to be Christians go out of their way to protest things like this, I want to respond by saying, "Get the facts straight." Don't go for the knee-jerk reaction of some conservatives in the media. The quotes above were found by simply googling "hate crimes bill." It's not difficult, and it prevents Christians from looking foolish and giving more fuel to those who believe that all Christians are ignorant and bigoted.

Where Am I Now That I Need Me?

Looking over my blog entries I realize it's been almost two months since I posted one brief paragraph about my brother, ending with "To be continued." It's been that long since I've talked to my family too, even though I'd promised to keep in touch more often. And I don't remember the last time I talked to any friends, even thought they've tried calling and have left voice mails. About the only communication I've done with anyone has been in writing on line.

Many things have happened to me over the past few years that have put me in this frame of mind. (See previous blogs, from May and July of last year, and January of this year.) I had been pretty out of it before, but then when my brother died in a senseless accident, it really impressed upon me how insane life is. I cling tenuously to my belief that somehow God will make sense of it, but I haven't been feeling sociable.

As it turns out, tendency towards depression runs in my family. In addition to that though, I long ago got into a habit of trying to escape from life by living in my head. Fantasies can be a pleasant diversion from time to time, but it seems as if I have a hard time grasping the reality of some things these days. Sometimes I try running the words "Bud is dead" through my head and it just doesn't compute. But other times I am overwhelmed with emotions - not only about him but about my mother, and about my life in general.

When life gets too painful (which is most of the time nowadays) I can't bear it and so I have to focus my mind on other things that don't hurt. Sometimes those other things involve music or TV or movies, other times it involves fantasies, other times it involves Bible reading and studying. But the way my mind works, things of God and the Bible seem like just another fantasy to me. It's hard to tell what's real any more.

In addition, fleeting thoughts of "I should do such and such" are often brushed aside, only to be remembered again after much time has passed. I used to do this when Mom was alive, but not as bad. I'd think I should call her, and then space on it. Then I'd think, I need to call her but I have to say something about why I haven't called. Then the longer I put it off, the worse it gets and the more of an explanation I feel I have to come up with. My sick mind at work. As I say, I did this before but I find I do it even more now, and much time passes in a fog.

I know this is something I need help with, and I am in the process of trying to find the right source of help. This is complicated by the fact that my wife and I are also in the process of changing doctors and health insurance. But I am hoping and praying that it all gets worked out soon. In the meantime, if anyone reads this and feels inspired to pray for me, please do. And for those who haven't heard from me in a while, please bear with me.

Bud

My brother Bud has been active and healthy for many years, and was an inspiration to us in that area. Today he was riding his bike and a deer jumped in front of him, and he was killed. That is so mindbogglingly bizarre I can barely put it into words. My sister kept saying, “How can a loving God allow that?” And frankly I had no answer. I used to think I did, but none of the packaged answers I learned over the years come close to being helpful or comforting at a time like this.

I'm still processing. To be continued...

Craig Ferguson Has Figured It Out

Craig Ferguson has figured out why everything sucks. It has to do with the shift from respect for elders to deification of youth. This clip is from his show on July 21. He's funny but he actually makes a lot of sense. OMG! Comedy that makes you think? On CBS??!!!

Change - But How?

I recently received a link to a video in which a "Reverend" spouted off about how evil President Obama is, and saying that "white folks are going to rise up" the way black folks did in reaction to the Rodney King incident - and this was from a black minister. Moreover, this man practically foamed at the mouth with his hatred for Obama, repeatedly calling him a "long-legged Mac-daddy" (whatever that means) and worse. No matter what you may think of the president's politics and policies, we are told to honor and pray for our governmental leaders, not spout off such strife-gendering rhetoric.

That doesn't mean we just sit back and "do nothing" as pacifists and apoliticals are accused of. There is a very real and powerful stance we are supposed to take, and it's more powerful than any riot, rally or demonstration. The following article by Pastor Chuck Jones is from the June 2009 issue of Focus on the Kingdom. See if you don't agree with the Biblical view presented.

Change — but How?
By Pastor Chuck Jones

I believe that the only weapon we have is the Word of God. There is power there. The word is the Gospel. But it's not meant to beat people into submission. I advocate what Paul said in Romans 14:4-5: "Who are you who judge the servant of another? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand. One man esteems one day above another. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind." We are all answerable in the end to Jesus as head of the Church. Yet unity is something to be sought and treasured.

So with that said, here's my point of view. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, my subjects would fight." Fighting as the world fights, boycotts, petitions, lobbying and so on, isn't in Jesus' arsenal of weapons. Nor Christians killing Christians in war. If we learn to fight with the world's tactics, then who are we learning from (or disciples of)? That's one of the dangers I see.

It's been said by some, "The early church, rather than being on the outside, did all they could to get into it, effect change and improve the system." This brings up some questions. One is this: when the Apostle James was killed by Herod, where do we read about "improving the system"? Were there protests or riots? God's justice was that "Herod was eaten by worms." Acts 12 gives a good example of prayer rather than protest. Protest would not have been tolerated at all, but prayer can't be stopped. Indeed the disciples were driven out of Jerusalem because of persecution. Peter wrote about how to handle this in his first epistle. He didn't talk about getting involved with the government. Can your child not pray silently in school?

I hold the view that the weapons we are to use are not according to the world's way. That is to say we don't need to pick up this world's weapons in order to bring about change. "For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3-5). I don't think that political action is preaching the Gospel. Did Jesus overthrow Rome or try to?

I will admit that I could be wrong, but I'm convinced of this: This nation isn't the Kingdom of God. Preaching the Gospel is our only tool to make any change, and it is one person (of 6 billion) at a time. This is the only way people are brought to repentance and born again to a living hope (Mark 1:14-15).

I am gaining an aversion to "pressuring people" to do anything I think they should. Part of it is in the first paragraph; another point is in 1 Corinthians 6:10. I'll only highlight one group, the extortioners. These are those who use undue force or legal power or ingenuity to force people to do what they don't want to. Those who practice extortion will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

There was an incident in Grand Rapids, Michigan a couple of decades ago concerning an adult XXX theater. Some believers decided to picket the place with the desire to shut it down. I learned something from the owner. In an interview he said he was glad for the publicity. If he had no customers he couldn't stay open.

The lesson is: it's the individual heart that needs to be changed. That change turns this man's customers into non-customers, and he's out of business. This is what Paul the Apostle ran into in Acts 16. I do not read about protests, letters, lobbying or any pressure put on the government to "change." But I do read about deliverance through Yahweh's intervention. I would also assert that in Acts 17 Paul again ran into trouble because he was preaching the Gospel against man's idea of what is right. It is silly to conclude that the Gospel won't have any effect but man's methods will!