Jesus died for even that...

So, it's happened again...this time, the founder of Papa John's Pizza is reported to have used a racial slur...and the world is reacting.  

The price of Papa John's stock has fallen.  Professional sports teams are cutting ties with the company.  And the company's in damage control mode.

And, I sigh...

...as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one."          Romans 3:10

That includes the Papa John's founder; that includes my neighbors, my friends and family, my fellow Christians, members of my church, and me.  We all sin.

I also sigh because...we don't know how to handle sin among us.  We react with vengeance, we make excuses, we promise to do better and to educate so that this doesn't happen again.

We even react this way in the church and with other Christians.  

Recently, I was struggling with a series of events that was somewhat coincidental, but also included some unkind acts.  

Part of me was bothered by the situation and wanted to strike back and say, "This isn't right."  The other part of me wanted to handle the situation with love and mercy, and to be forgiving.  

As I dealt with this, someone said to me, "You've changed.  You're not like you used to be."

Of course, that's wrong.  

What's happened is, this person has gotten to know me and now sees that I'm not always calm, composed, and kind.  Life and situations affect me...and I sin.

And it shouldn't be a surprise that I sin.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

But, when sin occurs among fellow Christians, as it does everyday...we don't know how to handle it.  We don't know how to act when it's happening to us, and the sin is our own.  And when we're sinned against, we don't know how to respond and how to show love and mercy. 

More often than not, the response on both sides is anger, condemnation, and a broken relationship - no forgiveness or kindness.  

Apologizing for sin...well that's hard to do.  Accepting apologies and letting go of hurt, loving and trusting someone again - that's also hard.

And I fail at both.

But, Jesus died for even that...for my sins and those sins committed against me.  He died for the founder of Papa John's.  

To the sinner, Jesus says:

Your sins are forgiven...Luke 7:48b
...and from now on sin no more. John 8:11b

To the one sinner against, He says...

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.  Matthew 18:15

...and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.  Luke 17:4

My prayer is that we, as the church, the body of Christ, can live that forgiveness and love.  It's through forgiving love and mercy that the world knows the forgiveness and peace of God, and will see that the church truly is a sanctuary for sinners.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Saturday Prayers

On Saturday mornings, along with my Bible readings, I have prayer and confession through the Ten Commandments.  I got this idea from Martin Luther, who said we should pray the Ten Commandments daily, and from Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, who suggests that each commandment prompts self-reflection questions.  (See my "Saturday - Confession" at the end of this article.)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

I prepare and print my daily readings and prayer pages well ahead of time.  

And, it never fails, come Saturday morning, I cringe when I read at the top of the page "Saturday - Confession."   

Again?  Already?  Didn't I just do that?

It'd be simpler to read a few Bible passages.  Who wants to look into his own heart and think about his sins? 

My First Commandment looks like this: 

You shall have no other gods. We are to fear, love, and trust God above all things.  What am I afraid of? What am I worried about? My fear exposes my heart and the idols of my heart.   

Those questions help put everything into perspective. 

I recognize the areas of life that worry me, and make me afraid.

...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6 

But, at the same time, I become unafraid and even comforted, because I know that my God knows me and is listening to my confession.  He makes it "safe" for me to share my worries, my fears, and my sins with Him.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

And, in the midst of it all...by being reminded of my sin, my struggles with sin, my dislike of sin...I'm reminded that I can't deal with the sin myself; I can't free myself from it.  

But Jesus can, and did.  As I note my sin and confess it, I also know that His death has freed me from the power of sin.  I know I'm forgiven.  I know the greatness and power of His sacrifice.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  1 Peter 2:24  

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.  Hebrews 2:14-15

It's all about Jesus and what He did for me.
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Saturday - Confession                  ____________________Date 

Ten Commandments - Prayer and Confession

1. You shall have no other gods. We are to fear, love, and trust God above all things.  What am I afraid of? What am I worried about? My fear exposes my heart and the idols of my heart.

2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. How are my prayers? Do my thoughts turn to anxiety and worry? Help my “alone” thoughts to be spoken to you, my Lord, who listens and answers prayer. And help my prayers be in accordance with your Word. 

3. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. What is my attitude towards worship? Do I like going to church? Do I despise or delight in Godʼs Word? Am I neglecting worship or your Word? Help me to worship knowing that all is a gift from you. 

4. Honor your father and your mother. What is my attitude towards authority? Do I respect and pray for the government leaders and others in authority? Am I always looking to criticize authority or complain? 

5. You shall not murder. Am I angry? Why am I angry? What about “the person” makes me angry and exposes my sin? Help me to forgive as Iʼve been forgiven. 

6. You shall not commit adultery. Am I content in my marriage and the spouse whom the Lord has given me? I pray for us to love and cherish each other, to show respect and to speak with kindness and gentleness. Help us to always have “desire” for each other. I pray for our marriage, in some way, to reflect Christ and the church. 

7. You shall not steal. Am I greedy? Am I lazy? Am I a faithful steward of all that Iʼve been given? Help me to not waste time. 

8. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Am I bitter? Do I seek to harm someoneʼs reputation? Help me to forgive and to speak kindly. 

9. You shall not covet your neighborʼs house. Am I content in all that the Lord has given me and in how He provides for me? 

10. You shall not covet your neighborʼs wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Am I content with the family and friends the Lord has provided for me? 

Ramen Noodles and God's Word

Al's going to college this fall, and we've been joking about how college students eat Ramen noodles. 

A Ramen noodle meal is a block of dried, instant noodles that includes a flavoring packet.  The noodles are cooked briefly in water, the flavoring is added...and poof...instant meal.


I bought Al a package of these noodles, and he fixed and ate it.  He wasn't impressed.  

And I got to thinking about this food, and why college students like it.  Truth is, the noodles are cheap, they're quick and easy to make, and they're somewhat tasty.  Perfect for busy, but broke college students.

Unfortunately, these meals aren't very nutritious or good for you healthwise.  

And, just like we feed our bodies with food - be it Ramen noodles, salad, or steak and potatoes - we also feed our souls and our minds with "what we take in" each day.

And, I can't help contrasting these noodles with God's Word.  

Unlike Ramen noodles, on many levels, God's Word isn't cheap.  

His Word ultimately speaks truth about our salvation, a salvation paid for by the blood of Jesus...not at all cheap.

…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  1 Peter 1:18-19

And, God's Word is neither quick nor easy.  Reading and hearing His Word, it changes one's life to that of a Christian, a life that's not like the world.  And this change is a continually happening thing.

…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 2:5

God's Word isn't always tasty, or easy to digest.  His Word speaks of my sin; it convicts.  It's difficult to face and confess my own sin, to hear that truth.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

But, unlike Ramen noodles, God's Word does nourish me and is good for me.  And, it satisifies.

...[Jesus] answered, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  Matthew 4:4

But...

Just like those college students who settle for a quick and easy meal, I often resist "feeding" on God's Word, even though I know it's precious and good for me.  I'm lazy and will settle for "instant gratification" and not the Word of Life. 

Lord, forgive me.  

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.            Psalm 119:105

Give me a hunger for Your word, and the will, desire, ability, to take it in, every day...and to be grateful, to praise You for it.  Amen.

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.  Psalm 81:10b

We're a Society of Tattletales

Lately I've been thinking about two dystopian novels - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and 1984 by George Orwell.

In Fahrenheit 451, owning or having books is outlawed.  When books are found, it's the "firemen" who start the fires and burn the books.

Big Brother and Thought Police control the society in 1984.  And, ordinary citizens report people who break the rules.

Both of these books insist that people should think and act in a certain way.  Those who misbehave are persecuted.

And, day-by-day, we're becoming more like these dystopian societies.  

Our ability to share news and information makes it s0 that every spoken or written word can be disseminated to millions of people.  And then, words get scrutinized and judged.

This month, the CEO of Twitter "tweeted" that he'd eaten at Chick-fil-A.  And that's news?  Apparently.

You see, he's an important person, and he shouldn't be saying anything nice about a place like Chick-fil-A, a place with conservative values, during LGBTQ Pride Month.  And he definitely shouldn't be eating there.

It's like our society has these perfect "standards" that must be kept, including that we think "correctly" about difficult issues, and that we always act accordingly.

Violators of these standards, especially people who are "important" or high profile, bring disapproval and even condemnation on themselves.  

We've become a nation of legalists.  We're a bunch of tattletales.  

Ironically, there were people during New Testament times who thought their job was to set the standard and to point out the failures of others, even and especially about Jesus:

So they watched him [Jesus] and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.  Luke 20:20

These people were called Pharisees.  Jesus said this about them:

You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!...So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.  Matthew 23:24, 28

"Straining out a gnat...swallowing a camel!"  We're a society of Pharisees. 

Of course, the bad news about a society of Pharisees is...none of us can perfectly follow the "standards" of our society.

With a little effort, I can find "fault" with every single food place and every store.  If I were to attempt to obey society's standards, I wouldn't be able to eat anywhere, shop anywhere, or even drive a car.

These perfect standards that our society promotes are similar to God's Ten Commandments.  They're similar in that, again, we just can't do it.  Even if we were to follow the "letter" of God's law, we can't follow His law with our hearts.

But the good news, for the Pharisees, for each one of us...is Jesus.  He obeyed God's law perfectly; He could read men's hearts.  And He always gave them the perfect answer.  Read Matthew chapter 23.

So, what do we do?  How do we respond?  As Francis Schaeffer asked, "How should we then live?"

From Matthew 23:23 - Don't neglect the "weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness."

Know and confess your own failings and sins and:

...Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,  do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.  Zechariah 7:9-10

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:14

Getting the Gospel Wrong...

I was at a social concerns conference for faith, government, and community groups.  It was held at a local church.  

The featured speaker for the afternoon was a former professional athlete and a Christian, who now gives motivational talks. He was dynamic,  his speech was inspiring, and he told a moving story about overcoming adversity.

And then the finale came...it went something like this:

When you're standing at the gates of heaven, and your life is in the balance...if you've done just one more good thing than the bad that's happened...and you have faith in Him...then you're in.

Nooooo!!! 

I was in the back of the room and looked around at all those people of faith, including several ministers.  No one seemed to bat an eye.  Didn't they hear what he said?

Here's my response to anyone who's been told to weigh good deeds against personal sins, or anyone who feels a burden to do so:

1.  There are no scales of justice regarding salvation.  God requires perfection.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:20, 48

2.  No one is perfect or comes close.  If we're looking to our performance to save us, we're all doomed.

...no one does good, not even one.  Romans 3:12 

3.  God looks on us as righteous and perfect because of what Jesus did.  Jesus took the punishment, the wrath, the death that we deserve.

…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

4.  It's through faith in Jesus and what Jesus did that make a person right with God.  And even faith is a gift.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9 

5.  If I forget, and I don't recognize my sinful condition, and if I start to take pride in my own works...then, what I'm missing is the necessity, the significance, and the sweetness of the cross. 

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.                 1 Corinthians 1:18 

6.  Finally, leaders have influence and power.  They can harm and even destroy people's faith.  By getting the gospel wrong, they place heavy burdens on people. 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  James 3:1

The open gate to heaven is not gained by our own efforts or goodness.  Salvation and eternal life come through another, through a savior who died on a cross. 

No matter how inspiring the speaker or preacher is, or how good his speech or sermon sounds...if he gets the gospel wrong, it would have been better if he had never spoken.

Echo: Unbroken Truth Worth Repeating, Again

In his book, Echo: Unbroken Truth Worth Repeating, Again, Pastor Jonathan Fisk covers the basic truths of the Christian faith in a unique way.

In telling this truth, Pastor Fisk exposes how the Old Adam, the sinful self, perceives and responds to daily life.  Pastor Fisk refers to this Old Adam as “Me.” 


And I can relate to everything that sinful “Me” thinks, feels, and wants.  Whether we realize it or not, Christians all have the same struggles.  And I appreciate how Pastor Fisk is able to convey that message throughout the book. 

I especially value these points from Echo.

1. Pastor Fisk presents the Ten Commandments as The Ten Important Things About Being Creation.  By habit, we focus on the Ten Commandments as rules that we can follow or break.  

But Pastor Fisk's focus is that God created the world as a gift for us.  And this gift, all of creation, was meant to operate on the principles of the Ten Commandments.  God, His Word, our body, family, stuff, our name, happiness...they're all gifts.

2. In the Seventh Thing About Being Creation - God Gave You Stuff, Pastor Fisk takes on the Westminster Confession's famous phrase: "What is the chief end of man?...the chief end of man is to glorify God."

Although the Confession's answer sounds really good, Pastor Fisk’s response rings truth:

The chief end of man is not to give glory to God, but to receive it from Him.  He didn’t need people to worship Him…He wanted people to give things to…We enter God’s glory when we realize that He is the giver of all good things to us, when the direction is not up but down, when the worship is not flattery but thanksgiving…He wants us to take what we find in the world and share it with one another, because that is what He made it for.

3. The finale chapter - The Crux of the Matter - brings the ideas in the book together, and I keep coming back to this passage...

...waiting for mercy while mercifying one another, is the closest to imitating God that we will ever come in this age. 

Giving mercy to one another is imitating God.

Before healing a man, Jesus once said, 

Son, your sins are forgiven.  Mark 2:5

And the people were mad, saying that only God had the power to forgive sins.

Jesus also said, 

Which is easier, to say..."Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Rise, take up your bed and walk?"  Mark 2:9

My thought is...the forgiveness is harder than the healing.  To Jesus, forgiveness meant the cross.  He died on the cross for that man's forgiveness, for my forgiveness.

And for me, to show mercy and to forgive someone...it's hard.  It hurts my pride; it hurts my sense of "Me."  

My prayer for my life, that I pray every day, is that I can show mercy to others, love others, forgive others...as I have been forgiven.
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Thanks, Pastor Fisk, for writing this book.  Echo should appeal to and be read by every Christian because it's about each one of them.

Cleaning Out My Warehouse

For my first Marine Corps assignment as a Supply Officer,  I was my section's SLJO or "Crappy Little Jobs Officer."  



One of my jobs was to clean out a warehouse that was full of office furniture, barracks furniture, and other junk.  Picture a huge, neglected self-storage space.

Sergeant John Wise was my assistant, and he and I had to "figure out" what to do with each item.

For instance, we had 30 old mattresses.  First, Sgt Wise made an appointment with Base Disposal; then he scheduled a truck and a driver to transport the mattresses to Disposal. 

And I remember...an hour after he left with those mattresses, Sgt Wise called to say that he and the mattresses were on their way back.  What?!!

We learned that, before we could go to Disposal, we had to go to Base Repair.  Base Repair would inspect the mattresses and tag them as unserviceable.  More appointments, more vehicles.

And so it went for several months, until the day came when Sgt Wise and I stood in that empty, spacious warehouse.

As I congratulated us on being done, Sgt Wise pointed and said, "What about the office?"

I'd never noticed.  Right inside the warehouse, just a few feet from where I stood, was a decent-sized, modular office.   

"You mean there's more junk in there?"

"Yes, ma'am."

It never ends.
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And my heart is just like that warehouse; it's full of junk, of sin, thorns, issues that are burdens, stuff that I want to get rid of.  

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.  Mark 7:21-23

And because sin clings to me, it's difficult to get make it go away, to dispose of it.  I can't even do it.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?  Jeremiah 17:9

But my God is the Great Supply Officer.  Through His Word and sacraments, He cleans out my warehouse, the rooms of my heart, issue-by-issue, sin-by-sin.  

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities...as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:10, 12

It's not easy or fun, having your heart cleaned out.  And sometimes the same sin, the same dirt, comes back and needs to be removed again and again.

And, like that seemingly "invisible" office, there will always be rooms in my heart, that I don't even notice, until He points them out, and starts to deal with them.  

Not only does my Lord continually clean my heart, He gives me a new heart, one filled with His Spirit.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36:26

And, until the day of death, I'll always be battling my heart.  But because of His Love, because of Jesus, His love is steadfast, and I can trust in Him to never leave me nor forsake me.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.  Psalm 138:8