Freedom

Knowing merely about God leads to control; knowing God leads to freedom.

More Bleatings About Introversion

From what I've learned, another characteristic (see my posting of Jan. 22) of introverts is that they are engaged more by ideas, whereas extroverts are engaged by personal interaction, i.e. conversation. Whereas in a conversation I generally hold back until I've formulated what I want to say and how I want to say it, the extrovert just starts talking and keeps talking, until he thinks of something to say.

Interestingly, in most marriages one partner is an intro and the other is an extro. I wouldn't have expected that to be true, but it supposedly is. (I have noticed that phenomenon in some friends' marriages.) I am grateful that Carolyn and I are both intros. We enjoy each other's company and like to spend the whole day together, when we can. I can't imagine this happening in a "mixed" marriage.

Richard's Thoughts on the "Culture Wars"

This is an excerpt from a commentary by Richard Mouw. His column is called, "The Evangelical Mind." (If you think that's an oxymoron you should check out his columns.)

We [Christians] have often acted like our only options are either to give up on the larger society or to try to take it over. There is another alternative: to recognize that in our increasingly pluralistic culture we are called to make our way in—to borrow wonderful phrase from the Mennonites—"the time of God’s patience."

God is not calling us to win the cultural wars. What is required is that we remain faithful to our deepest convictions while also showing, as the Apostle puts it, "gentleness and respect" toward those who challenge us to make a case for what we believe (I Peter 3: 15). Obviously, when it comes to matters of public policy we must also ask others to respect our convictions as well—especially our right to raise our children in the fear of the Lord without having the deck stacked against us by educators and the shapers of popular culture.

But we must resign ourselves to the fact that it will never be easy for us to make our way through the dangerous landscapes of contemporary life. Things are bad these days. Indeed, there are many parallels between our own time and the days when the early church was surrounded by an overtly hostile culture.

But that is also good news in a way: it was under conditions of severe persecution that the early Christian flourished and grew strong in the faith—-a pattern that has been repeated in more recent times in situations where the church has survived under oppressive conditions.
The truth of the matter is that the New Testament does not give much hope to Christians who expect to be well-treated by the dominant culture. Readers of David Limbaugh’s book would do well to remember that Jesus seemed to take the fact of continuing persecution of his followers for granted. "Blessed are you," he told his disciples, "when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you becaue of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5: 11).

What's New

Emily is taking Drawing II this semester and is excited that the teacher is better organized and a better teacher than last semester. It's fun to see them grow in the directions of their interests (which are so varied between the three of them). Evan is back in school and it's intense once again. While driving to school the other day a small crack in his windshield lengthened to several feet for no apparent reason, but I think it had to do with the extreme temperatures we've been having. Christopher is enjoying his instructional bowling league and making progress.

This News Item Just In...

Microsoft's AntiSpyware Tool Removes Internet Explorer

Many Microsoft Windows users who downloaded the recently released AntiSpyware program from Microsoft, or had it installed through an automatic Windows update, woke up to a surprise. Unintentionally, the heuristics of the software detected Internet Explorer as spyware, and removed the program from their systems.

Microsoft has pulled the program from its website until the problem can be corrected. Elias Weatherbee, a Microsoft representative, said the program was "only in beta" and that "a fix was forthcoming."

"It shows how powerful our AntiSpyware program is," said Weatherbee. "Not only is it able to remove spyware from the system, but also the source of most spyware. Our competitors can't match that."

A Note from a Friend, Worth Sharing

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Thank you so much for your prayers. Despite all warnings and against all odds R and D are now husband and wife as of yesterday afternoon. But God was with us and his peace that passes all understanding was and is with us through it all. We now turn this corner in life and view the road ahead in a new light and a new hope: the light of God's Word concerning marriage and the hope that R and D will follow in the way of the cross, forsake selfish ambitions so that they may have a successful marriage. I felt the Lord gave me the following to share at the reception: Thank you all for coming today to support D, R and their families. Iwould like to take this opportunity to challenge D, R, family, and friends to share in a common commitment to make this marriage work.

R, The Bible instructs you in Ephesians 5:22 to be subject to your husband. The last verse of the chapter summarizes what's behind the previous words in stating that you are to respect your husband. Understand that it does not tell you to respect him when he earns the respect. Youmust humble yourself to respect him when he's being a jerk. Of course, all of us can be jerks now and again, can't we men? Respect doesn't mean you ignore his faults, either. Speak the truth in love, pray for him, and leave it at that. Do not think that you can change D. None of us has the ability to change another person. We can only be changed as we allow God to change us.

D, The chapter in Ephesians that instructs wives to be subject to their husbands goes on to make an awesome statement. Eph. 5:25. D, you are tolove R as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Your desires are not of primary importance any more. You are giving yourself up for R. R's desires are also not of primary importance. Christdid not give Himself up to fulfill the church's desires; He gave Himself up to fulfill the Father's desires for the church. That which was best for the church was that Christ should go to the cross. What is best for R is that you be crucified with Christ. You must make certain that R maintains her relationship with God. This means you must make certain that both of you are in the Word and prayer, that you are in fellowship with other believers, and that you are obedient and faithful to that which God calls you to. You also must insure that R is provided for physically. Don't think that you have the right to quit just because of pain and grief. You have a responsibility from God. You are giving yourself up for her. It's time to take life seriously and soberly. Your life is primarily made up of building treasure in heaven, not in entertaining yourselves or accumulating pleasures here on earth.

R and D, You are about to embark on a very rough journey. Others far more physically, mentally, and spiritually prepared than you have taken this roadand failed. I want you to know that from here on out, you will not hear failure from us and if there are problems, you will also not hear us say we told you so. Beginning today, we want you to succeed and that means we want you to become all that God has designed you to be. Let me make this clear,you cannot succeed, unless you let go and let God have His way in yourlives, but you cannot fail if you do. For this to happen, it will take forgiveness, repentance, and commitment. Forgiveness in that you will needto release harbored resentments toward others and in some cases outrightforgive them face to face. Repentance in that you must turn from your sins and again, in some cases bring the fruit of repentance asking others for forgiveness or even making reparations. Commitment means that this day you have made a covenant before God and man that you are forsaking all others, committing to God and to each other until do you part.

And to the rest of us, Let us commit this day to God's idea of marriage: one man, one woman, for life. If D or R were to come to you with their troubles,don't take sides, encourage them to work it out together and pray with them. If you observe trouble brewing, don't gossip and backbite, go the biblical route. Go to the source and speak and pray with them. Encourage them toget the help they need. Point them in the right direction. Hold them accountable. With God's help this marriage can work. Let's give D and R the opportunity and support they need to make it work.

Our 23rd

Today is our 23rd anniversary. (It's hard to believe.)

We are indeed blessed- it has been a relationship made in heaven.

Introverts

I am an introvert. I always have been and I always will be. I didn't choose to be an introvert, but I certainly don't mind it. My wife is an introvert. Some of my friends are introverts and some are extroverts.

Introverts understand other introverts. Introverts understand extroverts. Extroverts don't understand introverts. They think something's wrong.

I like people and it's good to be around other people (for a while), but if it goes on too long, I feel depleted afterwards. Being alone refreshes me and I enjoy it. These are the hallmarks of an introvert.

To extroverts, it seems unnatural to not seek as much social interaction as possible. To extroverts it seems unnatural to want to be alone and bizarre for anyone to actually enjoy being alone.

More in a day or two.

I Don't Think This Will Work

There hasn't been much in the news about this lately, but it seems that a considerable number of my Christian brothers and sisters think that the Ten Commandments should be posted in public buildings and courts and schools. I disagree.

Their intentions are good- they want to help reduce the rampant misery in our society that results from immoral behavior; they want to acknowledge God and want our culture to do so, as well. The problem is, public displays of the 10 C. may not be the way to accomplish this.

In fact, the irony is that having the law of Moses 'in society's face,' so to speak may actually have the opposite effect of what is intended by these well-meaning Christians.

Consider these passages from the New Testament book of Romans (chapter 7).

'For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.' Did you catch the part about sinful passions being aroused by the law?

And this: 'But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.' Did you notice the part about covetous desires being produced by the commandment(s)?

The Manchurian Candidate

The other night we finished watching The Manchurian Candidate. Not the new one, the old one with Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey and Janet Leigh. Even forty-or-so years later it is an excellent (and disturbing) film.

The Ephs Beat the Camels

This afternoon I took Christopher and a friend of his down to Connecticut College for a men's basketball game. They got their hats handed to them by the Williams College Ephs. We brought a few cold sodas and picked-up some donuts at the local Bakers Dozen. I had cinnamon, Chris had chocolate glazed and Adam had chocolate cheesecake.

Based on the pictures on the sheet of team info, an Eph is some kind of cow, but other than that I haven't a clue what it is.

Carolyn took Emily to Kohl's to look for some January bargains. (Evan was at work.) The four of us had French toast for supper.

U2

I got the new CD, "How To Build an Atomic " by U2 for Christmas, and I like it. Much of the music sounds very similar to a lot of the rock from the 60's and 70's. I've heard many of the melodies and riffs and effects before, but the younger folks perhaps hear it as sounding more "original." But, it's still well done and has some good messages.

Wednesdays

Today Carolyn went down to help my mother, who's having some health problems. She spent the better part of the day with her picking her up, in the doctor's, office, keeping her company while she received some IV fluids, taking her home, and picking up a prescription for her.

She thought she'd be home to take my son to a 2:30 appointment with a local speech teacher, but she wasn't. I was at work scheduled to work open registration from 2-4, but went home to take Chris to his appointment, which went well.

As she explained to my son this morning, one of the main reasons we decided to settle here back in the mid-eighties was to be here to help my parents when they got older. I guess the time is here. I was with her on Monday, during my lunch hour. She wasn't feeling well and needed some support.

We Went Three Days and Three Nights to Sobibor

Selma Winjberg's narrative of her arrival at an extirmination camp is online at the National Holocaust Museum site. We were there two summers ago; it is an experience you won't forget. Read her brief narrative and others.

Deacon Decisions

D:

Last week I received a nice surprise when you asked me to serve on the church's board of deacons. I consider it quite an honor, especially since we've been there less than a year. Carolyn and I have discussed it and prayed about it over the last week.

I hope you don't mind my writing instead of phoning, but it helps me to crystallize my thoughts and perhaps it might make the communication clearer for you. If you wish to discuss it in person after reading this, I'd be glad to do so- just let me know.

I'm not going to accept the position for several reasons.

Over the last many years I've been learning the importance of perseverance and "keeping the main thing the main thing," so to speak. I'm actively involved with the lives of our three teens and I want to continue to be able to put lots of time into their lives as well as Carolyn's.

Teaching home-based Bible studies is important to me as a way to use the gifts I have for the benefit of others in the church. I think discipleship is a real need in our church and in most others and I've been able to make contributions in that regard over the years.

At work I teach a weekly Bible study at one college and co-lead a weekly prayer group at another college.

In the spring I hope to begin meeting with another man regularly because of his desire for men's fellowship around spiritual issues. I know from experience that I've been given the abilities to do these things and that they are making a difference in a small way. Staying the course in all these is what I can do. To add significant other responsibilities would detract and dilute. Unlike some men, I'm not able to burn the candle at both ends- I've tried it and it just doesn't work for me.

Also, as part of my desire to help disciple those who are open to it, it's important to me that the people at church who might be somewhat "on the fringes" see me as someone who is approachable. To hold a position of visibility would work against that. I don't want to be seen as a "pillar," just as someone trying to be a good soldier in a low key way.

When praying about this I offered to be obedient to whatever he wants me to do. But as we've prayed about it and discussed it that hasn't happened. I'm grateful to the Lord for what he is working in my life and that, to his glory, it's evident to some others, despite my many shortcomings.

I appreciate your fellowship and find your open style of leadership very encouraging. Many things about this church have been a "breath of fresh air" for all of us and I know you've had a large part in each of them.

In Christ,
Chris.

Which Am I?

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'

-C.S. Lewis

Seat Car by Edward Hopper

Seeing is Believing

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. -A. Nin

Mike's Question

Mike, a friend, asked me for my opinion about

Christians serving in political positions.  He gave a

specific example of serving as a United States senator.



Here is my email response:

Mike,



A good question, but one that can't be answered by

referring to a particular verse or verses.



This isn't unusual, for example, there's no one verse that

literally says that abortion is sinful, but most

conservative Christians infer from Scripture that abortion

is wrong because of the general biblical teachings on

related issues.



I think that political involvement is a similar situation.



Here is a link that I agree with; it presents my opinion

better than I could.

http://www.anabaptists.org/clp/g-leader.html

cs

The Church in The World

The Lord promises a new heaven and a new earth. To long for them is normal and even right. But what exactly do we have a right to expect while in this world, in its present condition - besides animosity, hostility, and tribulation, that is? Do we have a right to expect any of the societal improvements mentioned above? If so, on what Scriptural basis?

This quote is from Tom Frazier's The Church in The World.

Cold Naomi

Elizabeth is the daughter of some old friends who are translating the Bible into Naskapi. Here are her comments on her drawing of "Cold Naomi:"

This one is for the 6 inch show (finally). I did all these tonite and they're all only a few inches (3" at most). They're also all from photos, which is cheating, but the due date's tomorrow and I was starting to panic. I've decided to sell most of my original art. (Not prints, but the art itself.) If there's a piece of mine you like, offer a price. All offers will be considered.(Help me pay for art school!)

Numbering Our Days

The psalmist asked the Lord, Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Since turning 50 in November, this passage is taking on a new, fuller meaning for me. Without an understanding and an appreciation for my mortality and the briefness of my life, I cannot understand anything.

This, of course, goes hand-in-hand with the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom. The only thing that speaks comfort to me, in my (human) condition, is my certain hope of an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful, all-loving God who transcends his creations and the brief lives of his created beings.