For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Paul, Ephesians 2:8f
President Kennedy famously said, “Our problems are manmade, therefore they can be solved by man.” As political rhetoric goes, this works. As religion goes, this is common. But Kennedy’s comments do not line up with the Gospel. The Bible teaches that the power unleashed by sin is not something we can overcome on our own. Therefore God sent his Son, who was a teacher and guide, but much more than just that, He is Savior and Lord.
Two Too-Good-Not-to-Revisit Items:
- EV Hill speaking on the Power of the Bible. Starting in the late 80s, I spent seven successive Spring Breaks leading teams of college students into South Central Los Angeles. We worked at soup kitchens, staffed after-school programs for low-income students, lead Bible studies and did various other work – all while sleeping at the EV Hill-ton (i.e., the floor of Hill’s church). Hill was a very gifted leader and a very powerful preacher – as is evident from this four and a half minute video.
- David Brooks in the Days After 9-11: Sixteen years ago, David Brooks wrote this article for The Atlantic. Those were post 9-11 days, and he was waking up to the fact that the SecularizationTheory, which he grew up with, was wrong. The world was not becoming less religious, it was becoming more. And this was news to everyone he knew.
Quotes Worth ReQuoting:
- Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade public life. Lord Melbourne. (Obviously I do not share Melbourne’s sentiments – note, he was William Wilberforce’s chief opponent in the drive to abolish slavery throughout the British realm – but many do. Technically speaking – the move to keep religion a private matter that remains removed from public life – is called secularism. And though the number of card carrying secularlists is decreasing (mostly because secular people tend not to have children), it’s influence is growing. I grow increasingly tired of trying to explain to people that everyone has a worldview and that there is no such things as a value-free, neutral view of the world.
- In life we either learn to pray or we become very good at worrying! What you give to God, He handles. What you keep to yourself, you handle. Unknown.
They are Coming! UPS’s drone service just received official airline certification. “Look, up in the sky. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … my Amazon order.”
Sagrada Familia: Sheri and I are in Spain where I am officiating a wedding. During our day in Barcelona we visited Sagrada Familia, the large, unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica designed by Gaudi. Construction – which began in 1882 – is due to be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of his death. Tourist material describes the building as “the Bible in stone.” I’ll say, it is nothing if not grand, and designed in many ways to give honor to Christ. If you are nearby, it’s worth a visit. But get tickets in advance otherwise you will wait two hours to get in. If only other churches in Spain had that problem.
Politics: Reading US news from this side of the pond adds perspective – which seems to increase the pain. I am reminded of a point made by the late Charles Colson, “Politics is nothing but an expression of culture.” He then helpfully added, “It is not enough to win elections, for political power alone cannot change how people live or change their values. It is essential to change hearts and minds as well. And that starts, not in Washington, but with our neighbors.”
Being Centered?: While working on a sermon about Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22f), I was struck by the way spirituality is packaged in modern life. Many encourage us to “be centered,” promising that if we are, our lives will be calm and peaceful. Tell that to Jacob! Or Isaiah, Jeremiah, Moses, Jesus, etc. True encounters with God are not always relaxing.
Closing Prayer: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. –Martin Luther’s morning prayer (1483-1546)