How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:9
Few forces are as powerful and relentless as culture – it quietly shapes our perceptions, conversations and convictions. Indeed, it shapes our heart, mind and soul. Is there any counterbalance? Is there anything that might mold us in healthier ways? Yes, the Word of God. But only…if we read, study and apply it.
The Word of God is stronger than culture, but it only “works” if we work it so deeply into our affections that it shapes our loves, hopes and imagination. Jesus was the preeminent example of this. In his darkest moments – while betrayed, mocked and killed – He quoted Scripture. If you are going to be more profoundly shaped by the Word of God than by culture, it must richly dwell within you. Does it?
Patrick Henry on the Bible: Though famous for a different quote, Henry’s comments to a friend shortly before his death are more apropos of Psalm 119: “Here,” he said, holding up the Bible, “is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed: yet it is my misfortune never to have found time to read it, with the proper attention and feeling, till lately. I trust in the mercy of heaven, that it is not yet too late.”
Chick-fil-A: I am disappointed in Chick-fil-A’s decision to stop donating to the Salvation Army, but not surprised. We should not expect a corporation to be a moral North Star. What I mostly am, however, is staggered. Somehow a group with a century-long track record of helping anyone in need has been labeled a hate group. All for holding views embraced by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama ten years ago. How illiberal will society get?
Marijuana: Last weekend’s message was designed to answer the question, “When Pot is legal in Illinois – which will happen on January 1 – is it OK for Christians to light up?” You can access my talk here. And you can click here to access the marijuana parent toolkit which was prepared by one of the panelists who participated in a related public forum we held Sunday evening.
Marijuana Versus the iPhone: As an aside, one of the more disturbing take-aways for me, came from the Dean of Discipline at a local Middle School. Although he thinks weed is a huge problem – and that legalizing it is a mistake – he said to me, “I’d be willing to give every student in school a joint if I could take away their iPhone.”
What to Watch: I’m occasionally asked for movie (TV, HBO, Netflix, etc.) recommendations. I seldom have anything to suggest, partly because we do not watch much; partly because there is little to endorse; and partly because we are generally six months behind the times. But I do have recs from time to time. Sheri and I both enjoyed the Netflix documentary Magnus, about a charismatic Norwegian chess prodigy. BTW, if you have any recs for us – or for readers of The Friday Update – send them my way.
The 6, 8, 10 Principle: In Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Leroy Eims develops what he calls his 6, 8, 10 principles. In a helpful way, Eims suggests that we learn to ask three questions before making ethical decisions. I Cor. 6:12 leads us to ask, Is X helpful, or will it pull me down?; I Cor. 8:12f sets up the question, How will X affect others? And finally, I Cor. 10:31, leads to the last question, Does X glorify God?
Nick Foles on Faith: Many athletes thank God after their teams win. Not all do so when their teams lose – or when they get hurt. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Nick Foles is thoughtful in good times and bad. Here is a three-minute clip worth watching. May his tribe increase.
Why is T-Day so Popular? Thanksgiving is the holiday favorite of many. Why? If you pay attention, you know that our calendars are littered with National This Day and National That Week. What makes T-day stand out? Are we collectively that interested in what a group of Pilgrims did 400 years ago? I do not think so. So why does T-Day rank so high? Is it the football game on in the background? No. Is it the turkey itself? Probably not. I’m in the camp that thinks a few things make T-day America’s Number Two Holiday: the ritual, the family and the mandate to rehearse blessings. This week’s Washington Post ran a reflective post that says as much. You can access it here.
Closing Prayer: O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving Father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins…Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word; make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life, Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom Thou has appointed to rule us in church & state. Continue Thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions, I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept and answer for the sake of Thy Dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. (George Washington)