Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

Liberal Principles VI

“[T]he human mind must be autonomous, subject only to its own law... its own supreme authority, its own criterion of truth and right.

… [W]hat makes our experience intelligible is largely, perhaps entirely, the work of our own minds. We do not know what the world is really like, we know only how it appears to us, and how it appears to us is largely what we make it to be. Thus the mind of man not only is its own ultimate authority, but also replaces God as the intelligent planner and creator of the experienced universe. And, to Kant, the human mind is also the author of its own moral standards.” John Frame on Immanuel Kant in Cornelius Van Til: An Analysis of his Thought (1995)

Liberal Principles I
Liberal Principles II
Liberal Principles III
Liberal Principles IV
Liberal Principles V
1. A god has no control nor exerts any influence in the world today, whether he created the world or not
2. War is never the answer
3. Don’t trust your government
4. Government should play a major role in the enforcement of the equality of all ideas, sociological and economic
5. Morality is relative to the personal choice of the individual and there should always be a safety net against the consequences of those personal choices

In the last conversation I acquiesced to making an edit to my fourth liberal principle. I’m not certain it was one that would ultimately be agreeable to those that prompted the edit, but it was an edit just the same. Ultimately, I was convinced that the enforcement of morality was just as absolute for liberals as anyone else, but the absolute adhered to was that of equality which allows for the relativity of ideas to the personal freedom of expression. This brings us to my final liberal principle; the desire to focus on the self-sufficiency of our own minds, while creating an environment of “social insurance” when that sufficiency is found to be wanting.

Liberal Principle #5 Morality is relative to the personal choice of the individual and there should always be a safety net against the consequences of those personal choices

About six years ago, I would have been found in a bar, at a party, at my parent’s house, wherever; making very similar claims as Kant on the autonomy and ultimate authority being found in my empirical universe. Being an atheist and seeing myself as the ultimate ruler and authority over all things in my life gave me the sense that there was nothing that I couldn’t handle. It showed me that I didn’t really need other people in my life to be happy and no matter how I acted; if I was being true to myself there was nothing wrong with that. My choices only truly affected me and if they somehow affected anyone else, then it was their fault for allowing my choices to impact their lives. Friends of mine that knew me well six years ago and barely know me now have said, “I don’t see a real difference in your life. You used to say you knew everything before because it was in your head, now you say it’s because it’s in the Bible.”

What an unfortunate picture of pride in my life, and what a disappointing reaction to the Gospel. It does however highlight the very basic problems with the power of the individual and the constant desire for so many to assert their personal choices as having no affect on others. These choices having any number of primary and secondary causes will have an effect on society no matter how personal the choice. Simply isolating the individual, giving them the basic right of autonomy, and allowing free reign over the expression of their ideas leads us down a path of egalitarianism. Consequently, this shows that each individual’s personal choice is relative to their view of morality as it exists in their sovereign life.

The absolute belief in equality puts all ideas on a level playing field and thus makes it difficult to assert one over another. Therefore we end up with a relativistic view. Once we have arrived here by the power of our personal choices and freedoms we will find that we are in fact, not perfect. We make mistakes and those mistakes having primary and secondary causes will bring about consequences either in our life, in the lives other or in both.

Being that these consequences are quite often not pleasant ones and already being predisposed to the freedom found in our personal choices, many will simply make the personal choice not to endure the residual affects of their actions. Society can compound that problem by absolving, creating a safety net or in other words, implementing “social insurance” against the perceived inequitable cost.

Liberals want the relative personal freedom of expression of our individual morality, while at the same time championing calls for the absolution of personal responsibility when that free expression brings about consequences.

I am not purporting that we should all be forced to endure the consequences of each and every decision we make. If that were the case, as the Apostle Paul summarizes in Romans 3, “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” If that were the only truth in this world, we would live lives with no hope at all. But this is not the case. Ken Sande writes in Peacefakers, Peacebreakers, & Peacemakers, “Christians being the most forgiven people should also be the most forgiving.” This gives us a sense for what we need, and what we need is balance.

Balance between consequence and grace. Balance between forgiveness and responsibility. The current liberal climate is lacking that balance and even if the intentions are good to bring about a softening of the consequences it teaches little about personal responsibility and too much about personal autonomy. Like Immanuel Kant, the lesson of the day is ultimate authority found in the authorship of our own moral standards; when it should be the submission to an ultimate authority outside of us and adherence to the authorship of His moral standard.

I do not expect that this will be met with anything different than the precursory principles I have put forth. In the end it is my desire to share my observation of what these principles ultimately are and not what one would necessarily admit to adhering to, if one were to find themselves identified as liberal. I do hope to learn from reactions to this post and continue the interaction that may lead to a better understanding that is found in the reconciliation of one person to another.

Almost Better than Christmas

Ending a six game slide, by beating the Yankees, in extra innings, with a walk off homerun by Brian Roberts; dare I say it?! Priceless! As I was deafening my wife with my clapping, whistling and screaming after the victory, I told her, “This was almost better than Christmas!”

Apparently Brian Roberts agreed with me, "We had a little sense of urgency tonight, more so than in the past week. There was more emotion, more excitement, more energy than we've had in the past couple days."

If someone told me that the Birds would be a game a half out of first place in the AL East by the All-Star break at the beginning of the season, I would have been pretty happy. With several games more to go before the actual All-star break, it is completely possible we will regain first place. I realize we could go the opposite direction, but I’m an optimist!

A return of Javy Lopez, BJ Surhoff and Melvin Mora to the lineup and solidifying our bullpen we will be looking pretty good. The 6 game slide came at a time when our starting pitching went south and no one was hitting, in addition the Sox took 7 of their last 10 games. Most of our losses were close games and we had a fighting chance to win them. Last nights game was the perfect way to end a losing streak and kick back into gear.

"That's the way to do it," Mazzilli said. "We had our backs against the wall, losing six straight, playing this team. We came back."

The Yankees manager had some insight on playing the odds with a switch hitter. "We saw enough of Roberts hitting left-handed. We just wanted to turn him around and see if it made a difference," Torre said. "I guess it didn't." Thanks for those precious words of wisdom Joe!

Fear That Divides

Immediately after giving the orders to begin Operation Iraqi Freedom, the President of the United States of America left the war room headed for the White House gardens with tears welling up in his eyes to sit and pray (Character by Chris Wallace, Chapter 16). This is not the actions of an inept bumbling idiot nor is it someone who sees their evil plans of world domination coming to fruition. It should be the reaction of any Commander in Chief, any leader that is forced to make a difficult decision knowing that the consequences of his actions will bring about a grave reality. The decision is made because the consequences of inaction are even graver.

It is unfortunate that in our political climate, in our society, we are incapable of taking a collective step back to stop the anger and vitriol that flows from the mouths and hearts of many. Everyday it is something new and outrageous that gets our blood boiling. Be it the misguided comments of a Senator or the untimely remarks of a political advisor or even a memo written about someone’s perception of reality. We hear these things in the news and see them as either ammunition against our opponent or simply self-defense.

I believe that 9/11 shook our country to its core and people are now scared and holding onto their ideology (what they know) as tight as possible because they don’t know what else to do. This includes a pre-9/11 mindset that said President Bush was not a good person. When I read his speeches and see the compassion, the vision and the love he has for this country, I am floored that people can react so violently towards him. But we are driven by fear to hold onto what we know no matter what. It is sad and most unfortunate. This is what has divided the country, not the leadership of the President.

On February 2, 2005, the President delivered his first State of the Union address of his new term. Here is his message of hope for a better tomorrow:

In these four years, Americans have seen the unfolding of large events. We have known times of sorrow, and hours of uncertainty, and days of victory. In all this history, even when we have disagreed, we have seen threads of purpose that unite us. The attack on freedom in our world has reaffirmed our confidence in freedom's power to change the world. We are all part of a great venture: To extend the promise of freedom in our country, to renew the values that sustain our liberty, and to spread the peace that freedom brings.

As Franklin Roosevelt once reminded Americans, "Each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth.” And we live in the country where the biggest dreams are born. The abolition of slavery was only a dream -- until it was fulfilled. The liberation of Europe from fascism was only a dream -- until it was achieved. The fall of imperial communism was only a dream -- until, one day, it was accomplished. Our generation has dreams of its own, and we also go forward with confidence. The road of Providence is uneven and unpredictable -- yet we know where it leads: It leads to freedom.

What is the message of hope coming from the left? Moving America Forward with ideas that democracy is at risk, kicking a** and referring to the leadership of the country as a dictatorship. This is not hope, this is fear and it is exactly why so many are desperate for change. Fear drives us to grip tighter to our beliefs, while hope offers opportunities for growth.

Throughout our nations history there have been those that lead during tumultuous times and those that obstructed. Republicans and Democrats have both been guilty of the latter and privileged with the former. And despite this we have genuinely moved forward, we have not brought about the end of the world and our nation has made much progress. Hope is within your grasp and the death of the fear that divides.

God's Glory in Our Work

Rusty Kelley at Common Grounds Online has struck a nerve or rather touched on an aspect of our calling that runs deep in many hearts including mine. This has become a daily struggle for me as I seek to glorify God in all that I do. There is a great discussion going on there about God’s Glory in Our Work.

For many Christians, like myself, who work in a secular environment, as opposed to vocational ministry, there exists a tension of how to spend one’s time in order to “Glorify God” fully, We understand that the goal is to “glorify God and enjoy him forever” as the Westminster Confession states, but how to do this at all times when working as a janitor or an accountant is not always evident.

Here is my response as my comment turned rather lengthy and I decided it would be better suited as an entry on my own blog. It touches on some aspects of recent discussions that have taken place here and I think it may reveal some of my own perspective on those related topics.

I think one of the most unfortunate lies, at least to a believer, of our culture is the “separation of church and state” or the separation of holy and secular. To a Christian, should there be anything secular or is our worship to be complete permeating every aspect of our lives?

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21 says, “The light of nature sheweth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might....God is to be worshipped everywhere, in spirit and truth...” No matter what our vocation is we are called to worship and trust in His sovereignty to work out His eternal purposes in our lives.

I also struggle with my vocation, Director of Management Information Systems for a small non-profit, and whether this is my calling or if this is my training in perseverance. Paul was forced to spend several years in Tarsus after his conversion “toiling the land” most likely as a tent maker before Barnabas came to bring him back into the direct ministry of others in Antioch (Acts 9 – 11). Moses was a shepherd for 40 years before he was asked to lead his people out of Egypt (Exodus 2 – 3).

Not only did Adam have work to do before the fall but after the fall as well and it was only going to get tougher. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3: 17-19)

It is our call then to spend our lives in patient waiting and perseverance, with long-suffering abiding in the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ until that day we return home. To that end we worship him in all that we do for all is holy and nothing is secular. At least that is how I get through my day at work as each day begins with this simple prayer, “Lord do an amazing work in me today!”, repeated over and over again.

Who’s your Barnabas?

Yesterday at [our church edited out] we heard a Father's Day sermon preached called, “Who’s your Daddy?” I found encouragement in knowing my Heavenly Father desires me to be free from the slavery of sin and abide in His word as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It can certainly be difficult to obey, to persevere and to have faith in God’s promises especially when it seems life is dealing us lemons.

Who do we have to turn to help us make lemonade? The Apostle Paul had his faithful friend, Barnabas to turn to at the beginning of his long ministry. He was known as the “Son of Encouragement” or the “Son of Rest”. So what did Paul know that we sometimes forget?

Pride and fear often get in the way of us developing truly authentic relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul didn’t let that happen. Pride makes us think that we can handle any situation we face on our own, that we don’t need help from others. When we stumble along the rocky path, we have a tendency to want to pick ourselves back up and ignore the outstretched hand of someone there to help. Then fear of judgment or fear of seeming dependant sets in and when we really fall hard, we are afraid to ask for help.

We all need encouragement on a daily basis. Do you have a Barnabas to turn to ask for help? Are you willing to set aside your pride and fear to ask when you need encouragement? Will you make an effort to encourage others in return and not judge them or belittle them when they ask for your advice? Trust and obey your Heavenly Father, there you will be set free from the chains of sin and be bound by the joyous chains of encouragement as a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

Liberal Principles V

Matthew 25:34-36, 40
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Liberal Principles I
Liberal Principles II
Liberal Principles III
Liberal Principles IV
1. A god has no control nor exerts any influence in the world today, whether he created the world or not
2. War is never the answer
3. Don’t trust your government
4. Government should play a limited role in the enforcement of morality, but a major role in the enforcement of financial equality
5. Morality is relative to the personal choice of the individual and there should always be a safety net against the consequences of those personal choices

With right to live or die or marry; however or whoever you want issues always popping up in the courts we begin to see these issues with morality taking shape. Some see these issues as our personal right to exercise our free will to choose to do anything we want. While we are exercising these rights it becomes apparent that some are prosperous and others are not. So the government is asked to step in and aide those less fortunate. Inequality leads to higher taxes on a vast number of people, limiting their exercise of free will over the management of their finances.

Liberal Principle #4 Government should play a limited role in the enforcement of morality, but a major role in the enforcement of financial equality

On the outset, the above passage taken from the Gospel of Matthew may seem to give credence to the idea of egalitarian enforcement in our economic system. I would disagree. It strikes at the very heart of the matter, which is in fact the free expression of compassion and kindness. When the word ‘free’ is removed and replaced with ‘enforced’ we see a very different view of this expression and it loses all meaning. Being compassionate and kind must flow from the deep desire to help others; otherwise it is completely void of true love.

There is a warning here also for others that would say, “Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps”. This isn’t a proper view either as it is an empty promise of, 'self-reliance always pays off in the end'. Of course there is an immeasurable need for those more fortunate to come to the aide of those less fortunate, but unless it is a free expression the meaning is lost.

The mistaken principle that egalitarianism or tolerance (a good word used poorly more often than not) should be our higher calling, or that which we should strive to attain the most; leads directly to a secular humanist and relativistic (more on that next time) worldview. So what is wrong with that? Why is it mistaken?

Because it tells us that all ideas are equal and all points of view should always be expressed. It allows us to believe that if people can’t decide what morality is or that it certainly isn’t an absolute or that it changes over time depending upon the will of the people, then there is no way the government could enforce a particular view of morality. This is built on a false premise. Morality has been and will always be like a compass pointing north. Do not find yourself trapped next to the magnet of relativism.

Few would argue that murder, rape or robbery aren't moral absolutes and are always wrong. How would you react if our courts, if our government told you that 'the actions of Osama Bin Laden on September 11, 2001 were nothing more than the free expression of his Islamic religion that considers us infidels and we must be tolerant of his beliefs'? Not very favorably I assume. The enforcement of morality maintains order and allows good government to protect the paradox our pluralistic society and absolute morality.

The Confessional

Here is the place that we are able to unburden our hearts. It is the place we can put down the baggage that we carry around everyday. This is where the weight of the world is unloaded off our shoulders, imagine Atlas experiencing such freedom?

I recently heard a story about a couple Christian guys that went to a frat party. They were dressed as priests and had constructed a confessional booth that was set-up outside the party. Eventually someone walked up to them and sarcastically said, “Am I supposed to give you my confession or something?” I doubt he expected the reply he received, “No. We are here to confess our sins. The church has sinned against you and we are here to confess.” Soon they had attracted the attention of others anxious to hear this public declaration of guilt.

What a great way to open the door to share the need for redemption through our Savior Jesus Christ! Everyone has need for confession and nothing makes you more vulnerable than bearing your sins to others.

Apparently the anonymous blog has gone a little step further with this site. Post Secret is a new way to use your artistic talents, snail mail and the web to enter the confessional. People use their creative juices to reveal the pains of their heart by mailing a postcard to an address. The image is then shared on the blog for an opportunity of anonymous public confession. It is certainly an interesting view into the hearts of many.

Here is a particularly interesting one that I identified with to some degree:

By engaging our culture and developing loving relationships with others we open doors to share a message that does more than just help people cope with pain. It offers hope for a better tomorrow. “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). The Gospel is that simple. Be reconciled to God through His son Jesus Christ, so that His perfection may wash away your sins. Confession, personal or public, gives us that opportunity to draw closer to that righteousness.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry for tomorrow we'll....

The twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Luke reveals to us some great encouragement with some rather stark warnings. In this chapter we learn yet again how valuable each of us are to God, that we are more precious to him than the birds of the sky or the grass of the fields. We are also warned about the perils of our own sinful hearts.

This message is repeated over and over again in Scripture and begins to give a very different vision of the world than the one that is so pervasive in our culture. Obviously this sinful nature is not something new, but something that mankind has been struggling with for thousands of years.

Luke writes these God breathed and Holy Spirit inspired words in the twelfth chapter, verses 16-21:

And he [Jesus Christ] told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' [emphasis added]

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

The heroes of the Dave Matthews song, Tripping Billies, seem to have this idea well in hand, but they have a very different reaction than the one Jesus asks of us.

Dave Matthews Band - Tripping Billies (Lyrics, Listen)
Eat, drink, and be merry
For tomorrow we die
…
So why would you care
To get out of this place
You and me and all our friends
Such a happy human race

Rather than recognize the glaring issue of death and the need for repentance, the Tripping Billies, simply ‘take life easy’ and just focus on self-indulgent happiness. The more and more we understand the need to be ‘rich towards God’, the more we see just how backwards the world thinks and where our sinful hearts want to go.

We focus on the moment (Carpe Diem), rather than the eternal pleasures of being in God’s presence. We exalt leaders that focus on their power to rule and not their ability to serve. We search for peace first in our own hearts, rather than looking upward toward God and outward to those around us. Everything is backwards, but there is always hope.

The Apostle Paul took an opportunity to speak with the people of Athens (Acts 17:16-34), which at the time was much like our modern cities with great architecture, a focus on education and full of idolatry. He found himself speaking before a juxtaposed group of pleasure seekers (Epicureans) and an indifferent (Stoic) audience.

Paul spoke about the sovereignty of God, our relationship with Him, our need for repentance and His resurrected Son. He urged them to turn away from their disbelief out of a sincere desire to introduce them to Jesus Christ and give them hope. This led to three reactions from the Athenians which are the same three reactions we experience today when we share the good news. People will believe, be intrigued or be enraged. They will always have their choice.

Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we'll:
a) Repent and are born anew
b) Seek an answer to a question
c) Die

We have the opportunity to become Disciples of Christ or Tripping Billies. Which are you?

Stars and Stripes: Flying High Since 1777

I always loved Flag Day as a kid because it usually signaled the end of school. You get spoiled with patriotism as you are asked to say the pledge every morning. As you grow up and enter the workforce you aren’t confronted with this pledge to your country and to your flag everyday and can easily forget about such acts of love.

It is interesting to see the list of holidays that Google will recognize with their special logos. And it is sad to see that Flag Day isn’t one of them, nor is Memorial Day or Veterans Day. At least you can search government websites with their nifty Uncle Sam tool!

Tidbits

Blog GA

I don’t know if it is the personal growth I have experienced over the last year or what, but I am rather interested in the goings on at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. And wouldn’t you know it they have their very own blog this year! It will be interesting to see what kind of information shows up. I have several friends there including some contributors to the blog.

Maryland One

I’m not sure there will be a Harrison Ford movie coming out anytime soon about a group of Delawarean terrorists who take over Maryland One to force Governor Ehrlich to cease his attempt at making slots legal in Maryland, while he shows his true grit by not evacuating the plane to take down this band of rogue first staters who just happened to have secretly teamed up with Michael Busch. But it might be a pretty cool made for TV movie?! Otherwise, I’ll just find contentment in my love for Maryland and Baltimore and say this is pretty cool.

Home Alone

My wife is headed down to Delaware for the next 5 days or so to help her sister out with our brand new niece. Megan Ruth or as I will affectionately refer to her as Baby Ruth, was born on June 10th. Being a man, who is not the father, that is all the information I can remember about her. No weight. No height. No circumference. Just name and date. But this will be the longest my wife and I have been apart since we got married. Does this mean I will be sitting at home alone enjoying the bachelor life again? Nope, cause I’ve got painting to get done in her absence. Also as our 9 month wedding anniversary comes up in a few days, I am reminded how much I have come to rely upon her already. Hopefully I will not have to deal with the Joe Pesci or the voice from Wonder Years while she is gone.

He's a Jedi Knight, GOSH!

Anakin Dynamite

Trust & Obey

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Inner peace, fulfillment, happiness, and joy: These are all things that we seem to be in constant search of, always looking for the next 5, 6 or 12 step plan to achieving these goals. To some these are always elusive and lofty goals at best, while others struggle to keep a grip on the ones they have. For those that struggle to keep a grip, have they actually attained any of them or are the perceptions more important than the reality?

There are times in our lives where everything seems to come together and other times when it has all fallen apart. We search for the answers of the questions of our hearts in so many different places. I love that our society has come to grips with the reality that there is a void and we desperately want to fill it.

I have gone down a road of filling that void with academics, with friends, with parties, with drugs and alcohol, with women; always searching for the same thing, acceptance and love, finally finding that in Jesus Christ. At every turn or bend in the road, I proclaimed that I was being the person I wanted to be, besides whom else could I be? In truth I was always being the person someone else wanted me to be, my parents, my friends, my girlfriend/fiancé/wife, my soon-to-be in-laws, etc.

Being the man God wants me to be, even after I gave my life to Christ has been a difficult and arduous task to undertake. I have wished before for a website, www.hisplan.god, where we can all look up our name and see what His plan is for our lives. It seems like it would be a lot simpler to know then.

On more than one occasion I have seen that we all struggle to understand our identity, our mission and our purpose. The discovery of who I am in Jesus Christ has made all the difference to me in understanding my own identity. Since that day, the search for my mission and my purpose has been underway.

Until then, I live and I learn, I wait and I listen, I love, and I trust and obey. I have hope for a brighter tomorrow. Do you?

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Trust and obedience in our Heavenly Father is what leads to a lasting inner peace, fulfillment, happiness, and joy. And He gives us a permanent grip on the reality of that bridged gap in our hearts.

Peacemakers: Conflict Provides Opportunities

Here are my notes from Spectrum's second week study on Peacemakers. Here we learned about the three opportunities that conflict provides us to essentially find inner peace and how different the Bible’s view is on this than the world.

Inner Peace - What is the cultural message the world teach us?

• "Only by having faith in ourselves can we be faithful to others."
• "Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have."
• "Before we can make friends with anyone else, we must first make friends with ourselves."

Inner Peace - What is the counter-cultural message the Bible teach us?

• Be reconciled to God (Glorify God) through Christ
• Be reconciled to each other (Serve Others) through the Spirit
• Be reconciled to Christ (Grow to be like Christ) through faith

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (Glorify God, Serve Others, Grow to be like Christ)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

NOT ALWAYS BAD

• Ephesians 4:3-13 (Unity not Uniformity)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit…It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

• Micah 6:8 (If you want peace sometimes you must fight for justice)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

OPPORTUNITY 1 - GLORIFY GOD

• Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

• How do we do this?

o Trust God – sovereignty, wisdom, ask for help/grace, believe the Gospel
o Obey God – without compromise, he is worthy of our deepest love & devotion; Ananias going to help Saul of Tarsus is like a Jew going to help Adolf Hitler in an act of obediance to God.
o Imitate God – mirror Jesus’ humility, mercy, forgiveness and loving correction
o Acknowledge God – breathe grace, share the Gospel, don’t plagiarize

OPPORTUNITY 2 - SERVE OTHERS

• Be reconciled to one another through the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
• Our actions, our deeds, our words, our sacrifice, our witness to Glory
• Make a commitment

o Help an opponent to find better solutions to his or her problems than the person would have developed alone
o Carry an opponent’s burdens by providing for his or her spiritual, emotional, or material needs.
o Help others learn where they have erred and need to change
o Introduce others to Christ
o Teach and encourage others by your example

OPPORTUNITY 3 – GROW TO BE LIKE CHRIST

• “Since Christians are the most forgiven people in the world, we should be the most forgiving as well.”
• ABC of Spiritual Growth: Adversity Builds Character
• Paul is the chief sinner and experienced many character building opportunities to become like Christ

o 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

• My Damascus Road moment

o Romans 8: 28-31

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

o We’ve all been Saul of Tarsus
o Journey doesn’t end until we’ve attained “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.

Proud Mid-Atlanticker

Being from Maryland, I have never considered myself a Northerner or Southerner. I believe we have the benefits of both territories, fast paced enough yet still capable of stopping to smell the roses. A couple weeks ago my wife and I were actually stopping to smell the magnolia’s during our vacation to Myrtle Beach.

We had a blast down there and really took time to enjoy ourselves. We packed just enough in to say we did something, yet also relaxed enough to say we did nothing! It was a wonderful week of renewed spirit, of stepping back from life to revaluate and of course spending time loving my wife and enjoying my Creator.

One of the most enjoyable things we did was attending another church in our denomination on the Sunday we were down there. The warmth and the friendliness were as enjoyable as the sunny skies and light breezes. It was a reminder that we have a family no matter where we are, as we can always look to God’s people to share in His worship and His love. Even though I am a proud Mid-Atlanticker, not southern – not northern, I find the most satisfaction in being a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom of Jesus Christ.