Happy Friday,
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
I Peter 5:8
A pet tiger got loose in Houston last week. Given that there is no such thing as a “pet” tiger, city residents took the situation seriously. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that for us.
$$$: When Jesus spoke about money, he capitalized the “M” and suggested it was a power few could handle. He also had scary things to say about the spiritual well-being of those who had a lot of it, which likely includes you. (If you suspect otherwise, click here.) Is money more than money to you? Can you give large amounts of it away? Are you scared if you have less than normal? Are you jealous of those with more? Money is not intrinsically evil, but it is deceptively deceitful, and if your identity is in any way tied to it you are at risk. What we are after is not a thriving 401K, but godliness with contentment.
Coming Soon: Although I did not expect things to grow more contentious, the Supreme Court’s decision to hear a Roe v. Wade case this term makes that certain. In this piece, David French sets out three scenarios for the months ahead.
A New Sport: The International Olympic Committee has announced that Virtue Signaling will be an exhibition sport at the 2024 games. Yes! I’ve been discouraged about my Olympic prospects since I failed to make the US Decathlon Team back in 1978. (In high school, I failed to advance out of Mr. Donaldson’s 6th period gym class as they only took the top five competitors.) Given what I see in social media, many are in training, but this announcement gives me hope. I am not ready to give up my dream of making the Decathlon team, but I think Virtue Signaling is a better bet.
JRWS @ 100: I failed to highlight April 29th, which would have been John Stott’s 100th B-day. Stott, a renowned author, theologian and former rector at All Souls Church in London, was widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s leading “churchmen.” My brief interactions with him were formative for me. This commemorative piece explains why. Today’s closing prayer is from him.
Quotes Worth Requoting: 1) To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. Tim Keller; 2) Pray until you pray. Unknown; 3) Good morning theologians! You wake and sing. But I, old fool, know less than you and worry over everything, instead of simply trusting in the Heavenly Father’s care. Martin Luther talking to the birds.
Parenting Advice: Parenting advice tends to come from those who’ve yet to have kids, consequently I’ve had less to say since the early 90s. But here is something that holds up. I direct this to parents of young children: the days are long but the years are short.
Courage: For various reasons, the topic of courage is in the news. Two things come to my mind: 1) Jim Collins observation that level five leaders are those who combine humility with an indomitable will. And 2) The film just about every US President since 1952 has listed as their favorite: High Noon. FWIW, it’s available on Amazon Prime.
This Week’s Question: Am I my Brother’s Keeper? As I suspect you know, this is not a new question. But I raise it here, in the event that you have not pondered it lately. BTW, don’t be like Cain. The right answer is “yes.”
Without Comment: 1) 2020 saw the sharpest decline in US births since 1965 and the fewest number of births since 1979. The decline worsened during COVID, but the trend was already in place; 2) In the late 19th century, 91% of US college presidents were members of the clergy; 3) In 1910, over 80% of Christians lived in the Global North – Canada, the US, Europe, Russia, etc. One hundred years later, over 60% of Christians live in the Global South – Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Closing Prayer: Good morning Heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen. (John Stott)