Are There Amorites in Your Attic?

Are there Amorites in your Attic? 

Or 

Missing the Opportunities by Focusing on the Problems

In the 13^th chapter of the book of Numbers Moses has led the people of God right up to the doorstep of the Promised Land.  In preparation for their invasion he sends in 12 spies to inspect the land and bring back a report:  “Be of good courage, and bring back some of the fruit of the land (Num. 13:20).”  One man representing each of the 12 tribes joined together and traveled into and through the land for 40 days. 

Upon their return they had good news and bad news.  The good news was this:  “It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit (Num. 13:27)” as they displayed a large vine filled with grapes before their eyes.  But there was, as they perceived it, bad news also:  “the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea…” (Num. 13:29).  Mountains and oceans were fantastic pieces of real estate.  Hills provided protected positions on which to build strong cities and easily-defended walls.   The sea offered almost unlimited fishing and commerce opportunities.  The Promised Land was not a barren desert.  But for at least 10 of the 12 spies they were almost blinded to the opportunities because they chose to focus on the problem, namely “the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea.” 

Application 1:  When we focus upon the problems we miss the opportunities.  Where are the Amorites and the Canaanites in your life today?  That is, what are the problems and challenges that are drawing your focus away from the promises of God?  Are you afraid to take on some new spiritual challenge because you are afraid you might fail?  When is the last time you dared to attempt anything great for the Lord?  Many Christians, like those 10 spies, find themselves living stagnant lives for Christ because of unbelief.  In John Bunyan’s classic on spiritual warfare entitled The Holy War, he describes the difficulty encountered when trying to purge the town of “Mansoul” (an allegory of the Christian man or woman) of doubts.  He says “Mr. Unbelief as a nimble Jack; him they could never lay hold of, though they attempted to do it often.”  So it is that many believers find themselves entirely weakened and helpless before their doubts.  The Amorites and the Canaanites have control.  Are there Amorites in your attic, ruling your thoughts and controlling your actions?

A life that is dominated by negative thoughts like “it can’t be done” or “it will never work” or “this will never change” is neither honoring to Christ nor helpful to us.  The weeds of depression grow rapidly in the soil of doubt.  The Christian missionary, William Carey, had a different outlook.  He preached a sermon on Isaiah 54:2-3 which prophesied the increase of God’s people: “your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.”  Carey rallied a missionary spirit on the basis of these promises, saying to his hearers: “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”

Carey saw the “mountains” and the “seas” and refused to focus on the “Amorites” and “Canaanites” that presently stood in the way.  Caleb, one of the spies who refused to surrender to unbelief, said to the nation “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”   What about you and me?  Will we continue to be satisfied with a low meager living of the Christian life and never dare to trust in the power of God to do great things?  The Apostle Paul put it this way “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

Application 2:  We cannot enjoy God’s blessings without first dealing with our sin.  Just as the Amorites and Canaanites must be eliminated before Israel could enjoy the land, so our sins must be fully dealt with before you or I can begin to enjoy fellowship with God.  And we must deal with our sin in the only effective way possible:  repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  The Amorites and Canaanites would not leave on their own.  They knew Israel was coming.  Word had spread throughout the land about what God had formerly done for His people in delivering them from Egypt.  But they were prepared to fight rather than flee.  So it is with our sins.  They will not go away on their own.  They cannot be coddled or corrected to become virtues.  They are black stains on our record, debts too large to pay, offenses too great to overlook.   Our sin, unforgiven, will condemn us.  Just as the unbelieving spies said of the land of Canaan “the land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants (Num. 13:32).”  Sin, not repented of, will likewise devour and destroy us all. 

Reader, the cross of Jesus Christ is the place where God once and for all dealt with sin.  It is the cross you must go to.  It is the cross you must flee to.  You cannot inherit God’s blessings while the guilt of sin still hangs over us.  God is too holy to overlook sin, but He is so good He has promised to forgive it for all who come to Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.    “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

A Doorstep, a Democrat and a Debate for Life

I tend to avoid writing political posts like the plague.  I consider myself far too simple and cynical to say anything meaningful on issues of government and the economy.  Better to close my mouth and have you think me a fool than to open my mouth and prove it.  But alas, every once in a while even I feel compelled to say a few words in defense of my own convictions - however ludicrous they may sound.

True Story:

This afternoon our doorbell rang.  Thinking it to be the neighbor I asked Joshua to answer it.  He peeked through the window and said there were two men standing on our steps.  Hmmmm.  I suppose you know what I thought:  Jehovah's Witnesses.  I got up from the couch rehearsing in my mind the things I (a Christian) tend to say to them. 

It wasn't the Witnesses.  Rather, before me stood Democratic Senator Mike Moore and a supporter, handing out flyers and hoping to win votes for the upcoming election.  I stepped out onto the doorstep, greeting the two smiling men with handshakes and hellos.  I must admit I was impressed that one of my representatives was out actually going door to door and talking with the people he hoped to help.  In a day dominated by emails and text messages and..umm..blogs, it is becoming increasingly rare to find individuals actually willing to engage in that most ancient form of communication:  talking.

Unwilling to lose this rare opportunity, I asked him a few questions about some of the issues of the day.  We talked briefly about the economy and jobs. We talked about the size and roll of government.  But these issues were just appetizers.  The issue heaviest on my own heart is the issue of abortion and what has come to be called "pro-choice." 

WARNING- If you are easily offended by those who are persuaded pro-lifers - stop reading now. 

I asked my Democratic friend (yes, I'm quite fine calling him a friend) if he could present to me what he believed to be the STRONGEST argument in FAVOR of the pro-choice position.  "What" I asked him "is that argument that most convincingly persuades you that an abortion should be a legal option in our society?" 

He did not shrink back from the challenge.  With a polite smile and calm tone in his voice he gave me not 1, but 2 reasons why he believed that abortion should be a legal option.

Here they are:

1)  A baby before a certain age in the womb is not "viable" and therefore cannot be considered in possession of those basic human rights and privileges that we enjoy.  Viability determines humanity and rights.

2)  A woman has the right to do what she wants with her own body.  To forbid abortion is to rob a woman of this basic right.

These are fairly common arguments.  I'm sure you have heard them before.  And I am grateful that Senator Moore allowed me a few moments to present a brief response to these opinions.   We didn't agree.  But he listened and was willing to engage in a thoughtful discussion on a very important issue to me. 

Here is the substance of my position which I shared with Senator Moore:

VIABILITY:  The argument that basic human rights of "life" and "protection" belong only to those who can demonstrate "viability" on their own is, in my opinion, entirely gratuitous.  First, based upon the word itself, "viability" simply means capable of growth or development.  Normal healthy children at every stage following conception are capable of growth and development.  But what proponents of the "viability" argument usually mean is the age at which the baby "could survive" if separated from the mother.  But here the argument fails too.  No baby, either before or after birth, is truly viable in this sense.  Can a 6 month old child survive completely on its own?  How about a 1 year old...or two year old?  Um...I know some 18 year olds for which this might be a struggle!   Actually, this argument is quite scary when you think about it.  What about those children (or adults) with medical conditions that prevent them from caring for themselves?  Are they viable?  Without constant help they would not survive, yet no one argues their lives should not be protected.  Ultimately, we don't really believe "viability" is the thing which determines a person's rights to life and protection under the law.  The viability argument falls apart on every level.  As Senator Moore stood and listened, his friend was brave enough to agree, saying "the viability argument is quite a slippery slope." 

A WOMAN'S BODY:  The second argument seems stronger.  Shouldn't a woman have the right to do with her own body what she wants?  Is it the job of government (or the church for that matter) to tell her what she may or may not do with her own body?  For many, this line of reasoning is the final word on the issue.  Does this line of thinking persuade you?  Allow me to ask a few questions:

1)  Is it her body?  Really?  The child within her has his/her own head, hands, feet, heart, lungs, etc.  In what sense is it her body?  Does a pregnant woman have two heads?  Four arms?  Four eyes?  That sounds like a monster.  But you would never say she has two heads.  She has a head, and the baby has a head.  They are 2 people.  It is not her body.

2) If it IS her body, then this line of reasoning argues AGAINST the previous "viability" argument.  If the woman has a right to an abortion because the baby is HER body, then that right should continue right through the "viability" stage of development.  If anything, the baby is MORE her body (since it is bigger) during the 3rd trimester than the first.  In other words, both of these arguments cannot be true at the same time. 

3)  Finally, we all agree that my "rights" to do with my body only extend as far as your nose.  I don't have the right to punch you with my fist, even though my fist is my body.  I don't have a right to walk into your home uninvited, even though it is "my body."  I may not parade myself up and down the street unclothed (thank goodness!) claiming I have the right to do with my body what I please.  The "my body" argument only extends so far.  I may not use it to harm another or encroach upon their rights.  Abortion is the ultimate attack upon the rights of another "body." 

BUT someone might argue...that baby is connected to the mother's blood supply!  Correct.  The baby needs the mother to survive.  But, as we have already discussed in the "Viability" argument, that will be true AFTER the birth of the child as well.  Anyone who has had a baby knows this full well.

SUMMARY:  The life growing within the womb of a woman is a human life at every stage of its development.  It must grow, but it is human growth.  It will change, but it is human change.  It will become more and more independent, but this is part of the process of maturing that every human experiences.  As human life, humans should protect it.  Every person, whatever size or color or gender or age is made in the image of God.  The baby has as much a right to life as the mother who carries it. 

FORGIVENESS:  I wish to end this brief post with a word about forgiveness.  I believe abortion is wrong and should be illegal in a just society that seeks to love God and love our neighbor.  But I also believe in forgiveness.  No sin....NO SIN....repented of is unable to be forgiven by God.  That is why Jesus Christ came and died on the cross.  He died for sinners like you and me.  The Apostle Paul wrote that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."  Jesus saved the chief of sinners.  And He offers salvation to you.

P.S.  And to Senator Moore, who gave me the privilege of this discussion, I wish to thank you.  I cannot, for conscience sake, vote for you.  But I do respect you.  It would be great if more of our elected officials actually took the time to talk to those they represent.  I do not suppose my arguments will change the view of my friend.  Were he to move into the pro-life position it would probably cost him his political career.  But I think we must, as a society, continue to bring our arguments to the table and discuss them fairly, openly and honestly.  People can change.  Opinions can change.  Whole societies can change.  And with respect to the current perspective on abortion in our society, I pray that one day we will change. 

Evan's Graduation - June 8, 2012

Our firstborn son, Evan, hit a major milestone - as did his parents.  He is our first child to graduate high school. 

 

There aren't too many emotions that can compare with the joy of watching someone you love accomplish something great.  Sometimes that joy is partially due to our own involvement in the accomplishment.  But in the case of Evan's graduation, I can say pretty confidently that the joy is almost entirely from the thrill of seeing him do it on his own.  My own involvement has been pretty minimal.  Probably to a fault (my own that is).  But Evan has always been the sort to figure things out for himself.  He taught himself to ride a bike (we won't mention that first little incident with the tree in our front lawn).  He figured out the Rubix cube and can still solve it faster than anyone I know.  He makes a mean grilled cheese (okay, Bonnie helped with that).  He figured out where his own skills and strengths are, and has made some wise choices with respect to a career path based upon those skills.  And now, as we watch him graduate and turn the page to a whole new chapter in his life, it is exciting to watch and anticipate what lies before him.

Of course, the greatest joy is not merely the completing of high school.  That is great.  But what is more rewarding is watching how he has matured and grown into a responsible young man.  We love his sense of humor (that has to come from his mother).  He has coordinated a job (and lately - 2 jobs!) while finishing school and applying for college.  If that makes him a workaholic - that fault would probably come from me.  He has always been remarkably content, sensitive to the needs of others and kind.  These are the things for which we especially thank the Lord (well, maybe not the two jobs....). 

So, to my Bruin's loving, hard-working, funny and fabulous son, congratulations on your graduation...and so much more.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Love always,


Dad

P.S.  A few pics from the past....in no particular order

The Christian Armor - The Shield of Faith

In Ephesians 6:14-20 Paul describes the spiritual "armor" of the Christian.  This beautiful analogy has challenged me lately.  Not merely because our Pastor is preaching through it, but also because I have been increasingly aware that I need it...while not entirely understanding it.

http://missionsmandate.org/index.php/page/7/?p=bbxqdhmt

The pieces of the armor sound, at first reading, like an evangelistic tract.  Paul writes like he is speaking to unbelievers, warning them of the dangers of their present battle position, and pressing them to put on Christ and be saved.  The pieces of armor all come across as "salvation" or "new birth" material.  Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel, Faith, etc....are all the things we pack into our method of speaking to the world about Christianity.

But there lies the problem. Paul isn't, actually, speaking to or about unbelievers at all.  He says, in the beginning of this section, "Finally, my BRETHREN..."  He is talking to the "saints who are in Ephesus (Eph 1:1)" those predestined to "the adoption of sons (1:5)" and are already "in Him (1:7)."  He is talking to those who were once "dead in trespasses and sins (2:1)" but now are "made alive together with Christ" having been "saved through faith (2:5,8)."  Paul is speaking to Christians.

This armor is for believers. And as an often-tempted and woefully weak Christian, I know I need it.  But I just haven't understood how it applies to me.  However, thinking this morning about the "shield of faith" a little dim light began to glow.  Something clicked.  Temptations attack us at the level of our faith.  Every time I give in to sin (more often than I care to admit) I display a lack of faith.  Sin, at its root, is distrust in God.  This is what our Pastor was saying...it just took me a couple days to start to get it.

I started to think about the 10 Commandments.  These are a special and specific description of what it ultimately means to love God and love our neighbor.  The first 4 commandments tell us about how we love God, and the final 6 are about loving our neighbor.  In principle  I believe they all still apply today.  They teach us what holiness looks like.  And the failure to live up to any of these commands displays a lack of faith.

For example:

First Commandment:  "You shall have no other gods before Me."  The Lord is forbidding every means and method by which we give our chief affection and devotion to anyone but Him.  We do it all the time.  But why?  A lack of faith.  We say, albeit silently, "if I don't put this thing, or that person, or this goal FIRST...then I cannot possibly succeed or be happy."  Ultimately we are putting ourselves in the place of God.  We don't trust Him enough to give Him the first place in our lives.  We lack faith.  Martin Luther put it this way "to whatever you give your heart and entrust your being, that, I say, is really your god."  I make other gods, because I lack faith in the one true and living God.

Second Commandment:  "Do not make any graven images."  The command is against idols.  But it applies more broadly than to just statutes and superstitious trinkets.  The Lord is talking about ruining His worship by our own inventions and ideas.  And again, when we do so, we lack faith.  We are saying, as it were, "I cannot possibly approach God simply through Christ.  It won't help me.  It doesn't feel right.  I need more."  But we don't.  Its a lie.  And to believe it displays a lack of faith.  Oswald Chambers said "Worship is giving God the best that He has given to you.  Be careful with what you do with the best you have."

Just a couple more examples:

Fourth Commandment:  "Honor the Sabbath Day."  The Lord is saying to set a day apart from the usual routine of work and personal entertainments and dedicate it to Him - make it holy.  But what do we say and think?  "But if I don't work on Sunday I won't be able to pay my bills...but I just need 1 day to myself...but if I give special honor to this day my friends will think me strange...isn't it enough just to give God a couple hours, do I really have to give up the whole day?"  Ultimately, we don't trust Him.  We lack faith.  I lack faith.  I need the shield of faith to learn to turn more and more away from my own thoughts about this day, and use it more spiritually for my good.

Seventh Commandment:  "Do not commit adultery."  Pretty clear.  Basically it is a command against ruining God's gift of marriage.  And again, a lack of faith prevails when we disregard this commandment.  We say "But everyone lives together first for a while...but the Lord doesn't understand how difficult my spouse has been...but I don't feel in love with him/her any more...nobody is hurt by what I do in the privacy of my own home."  We don't trust that the Lord can satisfy us through the simple union of 1 man and 1 woman in marriage for life.  We figure we will miss out on something if we don't break those boundaries.  We lack faith.  We don't believe Him.  We don't trust Him.

Every sin is a lack of faith, in some way.  Satan comes to us with arguments.  More often than not it is just our own sinful hearts that prefer disobedience, thinking that we know better than God.  I cannot think of any sin toward which my heart is inclined that does not involve some lack of faith.  Can you?  What is that chief sin you struggle with?  Fear, lust, selfishness, drunkeness, laziness, anger?  Trace it backwards now...and see if you don't find, at the root, some lack of faith. 

Ultimately none of us keeps a single one of God's commands perfectly for a moment.  We are not saved that way.  Salvation is entirely by faith in Christ, not our works.  His commands tell us what pleases Him.  Those that want to please God will want the armor of God. 

The armor of God is for Christians.  But everyone needs it, Christian or not.  You need it, and I need it.  Maybe today you are ready to turn in your own armor for the armor of God for the first time.  How are you dealing with your sin?  Fighting it on your own?  The Lord makes a provision for sinners.  He reaches out in Christ.  He says "here...take it."  And when we do, then - and only then, may we begin to put on the armor of God.  The battle doesn't end with faith.  It is, in fact, only the beginning.  But the outcome is much better.  We battle as those already victorious.  Come - join the battle line.  You are welcome, you are invited.  Your armor is waiting.

A Memorial Day Meditation

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us." 

 I John 3:16a

I am thankful today for the freedoms we enjoy as a Nation, paid for by the lives of many both past and present.  My heart goes out to friends and family shedding tears today over the loss of dear ones.  

Leonel Ortiz with wife and 2 daughters

I thank God for a country that allows me to have days like yesterday.  We gathered at Immanuel Chapel for a Christian Bible study at 10:00AM, followed by a Christian worship service at 11:00AM.  Following this I shared a fantastic lunch with many believing friends - all openly and publicly.  We all got together again at 6:00PM for another worship service lead by a different pastor.  Following this we spent another wonderful hour hearing from a Spanish-speaking Colombian pastor that we support about the remarkable spread of the gospel going on in his home country.  This was facilitated by a gracious Spanish-speaking Christian sister from another church in Massachusetts who willing came (with her lovely family) and translated for him.  It was a great day, and I am mindful it was enjoyed because we have many freedoms as Americans that have been handed to me through those who have fought for them and died for them.  To the men and women who served both then and now, I thank you.

This morning my thoughts traveled from a thankfulness for those who laid down their lives for our country, to the One who laid down His life for the world.

Jesus is described in John's gospel as the One who "comes down from heaven and gives His life for the world" (John 6:33).

He also fought for our freedom.  The Bible calls us all "slaves of sin."  Ever told a lie?  Even one?  Ever stolen anything?  Even something small?  We all sin.  "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Christ died to free us from the consequences of our sin, the just punishment our sins deserve. 

But Christ's death for our freedom was unique in two important ways:

1)  Jesus died FOR the enemy.  Every soldier knows that he or she might die BY the enemy.  Jesus died FOR the enemy.  "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us  (Romans 5:7-8, ESV)."

You and I are enemies of God by nature.  We do not come into this world loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.  We do not love our neighbor as ourselves.  Sin has made us enemies of God.  Christ died for the enemy.

Reader, are you willing to acknowledge yourself an enemy of God?  If so, there is hope.  God has made provision for the freedom of His enemies through the death of  His Son. 

2)  Jesus rose in victory over death.  Today many will mourn the loss of loved ones.  Many graves will be wept over afresh.  Many cemeteries will hear the slow and sorrowful steps of the friends and families of the fallen.  But unlike our lost loved-ones, Christ rose victorious over death.  His sinless sacrifice was accepted.  We read in John 5 that Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Reader, do you believe this?  Are you willing to lay down your arms today and fall into the loving embrace of a Savior who loved us and gave Himself for us?  Or will you, sadly, continue marching in war against a good and holy God? 

Memorial Day is a day to remember and be thankful.  Memorial Day is a day to honor those who gave their lives for us.  Memorial Day is a day to pray to God for peace: peace abroad, peace at home, and peace in our hearts.  May the Lord bless this Memorial Day to our souls.  May we recall the benefits we have inherited.  And may we embrace a Savior who offers Himself freely to you today.