A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

At this moment my boys would prefer an outline of either Elmo or Barney. But soon, very soon, they will learn to appreciate the finer privileges of being a male. Feel free to take a look at the most amazing Jack O'Lantern ever constructed!

Speechless

Al and Bernard on Pride

Vanity, definitely my favorite sin

With this statement, the 1997 film The Devil’s Advocate sharply concludes. After failing to corrupt the protagonist with the obvious allure of gluttony, greed, power, and lust - Al Pacino, playing The Deceiver, resorts to a most subtle ploy. Entomb the good man in his own pride.

Having only seen the end of the movie on TNT, I’m not commending it for viewing pleasure. Yet I mention this scene precisely because its’ closing statement is profoundly true. Vanity is his favorite sin.

After the hero shuns all manner of temptation and makes a costly stand for justice, one would assume him to be rid of the Enemy. Yet the last scene portrays a shocking twist. The Tempter appears as an adoring reporter, playing to the hero’s pride. At first the hero proves uncomfortable with the attention but then his countenance shifts. He entertains temptation. Without a word you can hear his thoughts, “Unlike the other attorneys, I stood against evil. My morals would not be compromised, I am unique. Maybe I should be recognized”

Unwittingly, he was doomed. Abruptly, the credits roll.

Recently while reading Bernard of Clairvaux, I came across a sermon entitled On David and Goliath and quickly Pacino’s line came to mind. In this piece ‘David’ typifies the saints determined to follow righteousness. Accordingly, ‘Goliath’ is a type of pride. The giant who threatens to crush all would be seekers of God.

In my own life I've felt pride take many forms, perhaps none more frustrating than the type On David and Goliath highlights. And while not personally keen on typological/allegorical interpretations of Scripture, Bernard’s handling of pride in the life of the believer deserves attention largely because it is so practical. For this reason alone, a few portions are worth sharing (20 Centuries of Great Preaching, Vol 1, Bernard of Clairvaux, On David and Goliath, pg 149-50):

For pride is the greatest of sins, to the assaults of which the people of God are more liable than are any others, and it singles out for attack those especially who seem to have overcome all the other vices. Here you have the reason why it challenges us religious to single combat, because namely, it usually makes its appearance when the rest of our enemies have been routed.

Then, quite hopeless of gaining the victory by his own unaided powers, and armed with faith alone, let him not consider Goliath’s enormous stature, lest perchance he should grow fearful of being crushed under his weight…

(On the five stones David took from the riverbed) It seems to me, therefore, that by the five stones taken from the torrent we may not unreasonably understand the fivefold word of the Word of God, that is to say, the word of warning, the word of promise, the word of charity, the word of example, and the word which relates to prayer.

Bernard goes on say that when under the temptation of pride these stones are to be our defense. We need remember and “fear the terrible threats of God” against the proud. We need recall the “infallible promises of God” to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We need consider the “love which the Lord of Majesty has shown” for us, the most lowly. We need think of “the examples of the saints” who have walked in humility and service. Lastly when incapable of recalling any of these stones, “thou must apply thyself to prayer with all the fervor thou can command”.

Wherever we may be spiritually, let us “easily understand and quickly discern what we’ve felt in our interior”. For “unhappy is the man who devoting all his attention to the outward observances, remains ignorant of his interior”. Should the Spirit use these words for illumination, take the grace and kindness of God to heart. As Paul encourages, God alone is faithful to complete the work He started in us.

In closing, do you agree with Bernard’s assessment of pride in the life of the believer?

From your own life, what might you add to his thoughts?

Maybe it’s an attitude or a specific action, but in your life what does spiritual pride look like? When do you know you’ve crossed the line into sin?

Grace and Peace

...

But now thus says the Lord, He who created you,
O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1-3

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

Throughout the days prior to Josiah's surgery these two passages meant a great deal to my family. While there was fear, they kept us from being afraid. While there was angst, they kept us from being given to sorrow. While there were questions, they allowed us to trust in the Answer.

Know that wherever your journey may lead the Hope we carry will not disappoint. For God in His glory has woven the Divine Spirit into our consciousness, reminding us of His enduring love.

Be it a faint whisper, let us whisper with conviction - I am Yours

Be it a bold exclamation, let us declare - I am Yours

With whatever we've got, let us know - We are Yours

Wherever the road may lead...

Evening Prayer

…and when Jaden and Judah get big, let them fight the bad guys… Amen

As long as I’ve been praying with the big boys this request has been a constant. I desire for them to be men of keen biblical discernment, willing to openly address those who distort God’s truth, justice, and grace. I desire for them to become men who, from either cathedral or corporate ladder, clearly detect the Spirit and move in His power. I desire that God fashion them into men willing to speak when others are silent, willing to engage when others are distracted - that they be able to detect the paths of righteousness and courageously walk in their freedom. In preschool speak, that they “fight the bad guys”.

Last night, Judah finally asked the question...

Daddy, who are the bad guys?

With a dry smile and grateful heart…

Bad guys are those who teach and say bad things about God. They are daddies who don’t listen and obey God. Daddies who think they are better than everyone else and who think they are always right. They are mean to the mommies and their boys. Bad guys are people who steal food from the hungry and don’t share their stuff.

The prolonged silence was finally broken…

Daddy, you better get me my little wooden sword.

One step down a very long, winding path – I agree. But a very important step indeed.

Father, allow the seeds of courage to be sown upon hungry soil and by Your grace let us meet this task, molding them into men of undeniable faith and contagious character.

Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

Death Row

While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

He is monstrous.

Even those who unknowingly share in his Rebellion shudder at the crime, it's nature so vile it mustn’t grace the lips of the redeemed.

Depravity in full bloom, visible for even the blinded to see.

Scheduled to undergo lethal injection, the attempt failed due to poor veins. In response, the court saw fit to delay his execution until a later date. Shortly afterward the inmate’s attorney stated that the man was "still recovering from Tuesday's prolonged execution attempt and is physically and emotionally traumatized”.

Good.

Somewhere deep within my truest expression found release.

Such were you...

Deeper still, He dwells.

Hardly ever will we give our life for an honorable stranger. Slightly more frequent will we give our life for someone we’ve grown to know, respect, and love. But never would we openly exchange our life for the life of the most heinous. Never would I entertain the idea of trading places with the convict, of exchanging my innocence for his just punishment. But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Not only did Christ willfully die for us, the innocent for the rebellious. He also invested us with His righteous standing (2 Cor 5:21). All that was rightfully His, He gave. To the extent that we are now joint-heirs with our risen Lord.

By chance should I become this inmate's substitute, I most certainly would not take all that is mine and freely give to him. In subjecting myself to his just punishment I'd be granting him a fresh start. But in no way would I ever allow the inmate the privilege of being the father of my four boys nor the honor of sharing life with my precious wife...

My anger notwithstanding, in a split second the Spirit brought the joy of these truths to mind. With renewed gratitude, there was deep sense of joy. A somber awareness that I too was guilty and deserving of damnation yet praise be that at the right time, Christ has died for sinners - the just for the unjust.

Should you share in this privilege, let us take great care to put on the mind of Christ. Let the weight of God’s eternal truth speak deeply to our circumstance. Let not fear, anxiety, shame, bitterness, or anger have the ultimate say. For as the apostle Paul would later pen (Romans 8:31-32), “If God is for us, who is against us? God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will God not also with Him freely give us all things?”

Whatever the day holds and wherever the road may lead, find meaning in the full authority of God’s grace. Sense His abundant kindness to us who believe. Boldly proclaim that God has made His love evident in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and should we not rightly see both Father and Son poised to freely give us all things.

Blessings

Paper or Plastic?

While recently standing in line at our local grocery, Jaden eyeballed a particular magazine with great curiosity. Needless to say, Cosmopolitan prefers plastic.

In seconds he elbows Judah, leans in, points directly at the woman’s carefully sculpted silicon, and with one hand covering his mouth - the whispers began.

They both erupt into boyish laughter.

Trying to keep a straight face and wanting to lay groundwork for the future I nonchalantly asked, “What are you guys laughing at?”

Jaden looks me dead in the face and exclaimed, “Dad she’s got three bumps!”

“Three?” “Yeah, dad three bumps.”

After one whole year of K-4, you’d think the boy could count.

I share this story as a reminder that my family and yours will always be bombarded by media. And not wanting to hide my boys in a social bunker for eighteen years, any good read is appreciated.

Accordingly, Teachers, Watchmen, and Gatekeepers is a wonderful reminder of what the Bible says regarding our role as parents in the rearing of our children. Men, make the time to read and share it with your spouse. Talk about possible ways your household will handle the media blitz and discuss who else needs to be brought on board. Maybe your kids would greatly benefit if the family member who regular helps with the children is included in the discussion. Above all, let’s stand in the gap.

Blessings

Derrington!

One time in junior high Mike Derrington hoodwinked me into trading my Scottie Pippen and Patrick Ewing rookie cards for a bunch of nobody baseball players. Eighteen years later I can easily recall the exact moment when Mike looked me square in the eye, smiled, and confessed to ripping me off. How can it still feel like yesterday? Jerk.

Just kidding, sort of.

I was out thirty bucks. Comparatively, Ganz is out roughly $149.99 million dollars. Please read on…

TORONTO – Mona Lisa has something new to smile about.

A portrait of a young woman thought to be created by a 19th century German artist and sold two years ago for about $19,000 is now being attributed by art experts to Leonardo da Vinci and valued at more than $150 million.

The unsigned chalk, ink and pencil drawing, known as "La Bella Principessa," was matched to Leonardo via a technique more suited to a crime lab than an art studio — a fingerprint and palm print found on the 13 1/2-inch-by-10-inch work.

Peter Paul Biro, a Montreal-based forensic art expert, said the print of an index or middle finger matched a fingerprint found on Leonardo's "St. Jerome" in the Vatican. Technical, stylistic and material composition evidence — including carbon dating — had art experts believing as early as last year that they had found another work by the creator of the "Mona Lisa."

Canadian-born art collector Peter Silverman bought "La Bella Principessa" — or "The Beautiful Princess" — at the gallery in New York on behalf of an anonymous Swiss collector in 2007 for about $19,000. New York art dealer Kate Ganz had owned it for about nine years after buying it at auction for a similar price.

One London art dealer now says it could be worth more than $150 million. If experts are correct, it will be the first major work by Leonardo to be identified in 100 years.
Ganz still doesn't believe it is a Leonardo.

"Nothing that I have seen or read in the past two years has changed my mind. I do not believe that this drawing is by Leonardo da Vinci," Ganz told the AP on Wednesday. She declined to comment further.

Silverman said he didn't expect Ganz to acknowledge it's a Leonardo because that would damage her credibility, adding that if she wants to "go against science and say the Earth is not round," then that's her prerogative. (Full Story)

Crazy! How much you wanna bet Ganz remembers this one for awhile?

Bath Time, Pit Row, and Captain Caveman

Bath time at the Carrier house has recently been streamlined; both big boys in the shower, both little boys in the tub. Efficiency is everything, especially when I regularly try to outdo last night’s time. Being determined to win, the Master bath transforms into pit row. And being just minutes away from “mommy and daddy” time, EVERY second counts! Scoff if you will, but its’ the little things that keep our house sane.

Last night we were firing on all cylinders until I happened to glance over my shoulder.

Since when is bathwater neon yellow?

I immediately ran through the “pit row” check list.
Did I place both little boys on the toilet?
Check -
Am I absolutely certain they both went?
Urine on the floor proves it, Check –

Not accustomed to checking the hue of bathwater, I just mess up. I’d already tossed one little boy in and he’d begun to do what little boys always do: splash, dunk, and drink. Uuuugggh!

In answering the “how”, things got even better. Having all of the likely culprits gathered, the only question I could muster was,

Whoooo in the world peeeeeed in the bathtub?
Me, Dad.
But Judah you’ve been in the shower this entire time...my wheels start turning…did you pee in the bathtub earlier today?
Nodding yes, his eyes were as big and dark as moon pies.
Are you kidding me?
Nope

Of course it was Judah. He is our Captain Cave Man. He thinks nothing of eating sales receipts, enjoying pre-chewed gum from the choicest park bench, or using the shower curtain for toilet paper - why would I not suspect him?

When questioned, he offers no explanation.

Judah, just give me something…
I just went in the tub because it was something new
Dad the toilet is to "conventional"
Try it dad, after all you can’t really miss

Though I lost the race, here’s to hoping for a better night…

Life Comes at You Fast

Having a strong appreciation for great signage, I found this particular display to be absolutely incredible.

With one campaign, Nationwide nailed it.

Whether through an unexpected phone call or while waiting in a practitioner’s office, life can certainly come at you fast. Bearing a name synonymous with suffering, Job got this. In one day his life quickly unraveled as bewildered messengers relayed one tragedy after the next (Job 1:13-2:13). And while this story certainly transcends time, it does carry a familiar pace. As with Job, we too experience sudden loss. We too struggle for understanding. We too can find deepening through the crucible of suffering.

Yes, many get Job’s story. And in continuing the idea of being powerfully present I suggest that when the Jobs rally around the suffering, first snow is much more likely to have its’ effect. I’m not sure, but maybe these men and women have such impact because they’ve allowed the Spirit of God to reshape their core perspectives. In accordance to scripture, gone are ill informed aspirations and expectations. In line with God’s self-revelation, these individuals join Job in declaring surrender and claiming clarity (Job 42:5-6):

“Therefore I’ve declared that which I did not understand…I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees thee Therefore I retract and I repent in dust and ashes.”

“I once only heard Thee, but now I see Thee.” Job’s experience of the Almighty was qualitatively transformed at the direct point he surrendered preconceived expectations about God’s character and His dealings with man. “I’ve declared that which I did not understand”… when God finally spoke to his suffering, Job’s operative beliefs about his Creator gained deeper clarity. [1] Likewise, I would suggest that if our ministry to the suffering is indeed to be powerful then our core convictions concerning the Creator must be informed and shaped by His self-revelation.

In bringing peace, we must know something about the Prince of Peace. In holding the hurting, we must first sense His outstretched arms. In bringing clarity, we must know something about The Alpha and Omega, The First and the Last. In sitting with sorrow, we must know something about He who wept. In inspiring perseverance and hope, we must know something of the one who has secured our Hope.

So often the desire for “practical ministry tips” short-circuits the overarching reality that our ministry to others exudes from who we are more so than what techniques we employ. In this light, what we deeply believe about God’s character will most certainly give rise to the quality of care we extend those who are hurting.

As it would turn out, Job’s friends were lousy comforters precisely because they carried certain core beliefs about God that were ill informed. In turn, their capacity for sustained, godly care was severely hampered. Hear Job’s condemnation, “How long will you torment me and crush me with words?” (Job 6:14; 16:1; 19:1-3).

I’m betting no one cares to be the guy who “crushes with his words”. Practically speaking, then, what are your core beliefs concerning God’s use of suffering? Jot down a brief paragraph concerning this issue. What do you believe? What biblical references undergird your thoughts? What characteristics of God are clearly evident in your reflections? What possible blind spots does your paragraph convey? Even still, what emotions are felt as you consider God’s use of pain? Does a deep sense of injustice dominate? Still yet, how are we to live when, with Job, we face His silence?

I ask you to consider these things for the exact reason Chrysostom rose in his sermon entitled Excessive Grief (Chrysostom, 20 Centuries of Great Preaching, Vol 1, pg 79):

As soldiers, even in peace, perform warlike exercises, so that when actually called to battle and the occasion makes a demand for skill, they may avail themselves of the art which they have cultivated in peace; so let us, in time of peace, furnish ourselves with weapons and remedies, that whenever there shall burst on us a war of unreasonable passions, or grief, or pain, or any such things we may, well armed and secure on all sides, repel the assaults of the evil one with all skill, and wall ourselves round with right contemplations, with the declarations of God, with the examples of good men, and with every possible defense. For so shall we be able to pass the present life with happiness, and to attain to the kingdom of heaven, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion…

Waiting until winter falls to consider our deepest convictions is a risky proposition. For grief is highly unforgiving. Loss, pain, and doubt have a tendency to distort even the best intentioned.

Similarly, many mainstream ideologies fail to offer satisfying soulcare for the exact reason they cannot imagine God having any constructive purpose for suffering. [2] Their systems rob pain of spiritual purpose and meaning. In so desperately trying to protect their construed sense of God’s justice and grace, they regularly diminish His wisdom and strip Him of divine authority.

Again, our deepest beliefs about God matter a great deal. Romans 5:1-5 captures a major thread that runs throughout Scripture. We are to exalt in our tribulations and suffering for the exact purpose that God is ordering these events to perfect our hope; a hope that is ever feasting on the love of God made manifest through the indwelling Spirit of God.

As He brings us into another’s winter, lets be attentive to Romans 5:1-5. In His power, may we provide a respite from the cold. May we not look hopelessly for the spring, while failing to appreciate His movements through each passing season. Let us be attentive to the ever-present Spirit and may we be faithful to uphold the downtrodden and disillusioned , directing them to the Father of lights in whom there is no shadow of turning.

For each of you who've upheld me, I again say thanks.
Grace and Peace

[1] Throughout the book of Job it becomes evident that all involved, Job and his friends, were incapable of seeing God work His good will through causing the righteous to suffer. In the story we come to understand that retribution theology was a prevalent belief system within the Ancient Near Eastern context. In essence: if you obey, you’ll be blessed. If you disobey, you’ll suffer.

Herein was Job’s dilemma. Though both he and the Lord affirm his righteousness (1:22; 2:10; 7:20; 10:7; 16:6-17; 19:4-6; 23:1-7; 31:1-40; 42:11), Job still suffered immensely. Naturally, given a strict retribution theology, Job's friends determined that he was receiving just reward for sin. He need only to repent and Job's fortunes would be restored (8:5-7; 11:14-20; 22:21-30). Job continues to defend his innocence while the three friends assume his guilt, each growing increasingly exasperated. Neither party stopping to consider the possibility that God would use suffering in the life of the innocent to accomplish His glory. As the author skillfully draws the readers in, we too grow weary reading chapters 3-37. This section is intentionally cumbersome for it highlights the futility of the creature trying to understand the exact reasoning behind the ebb and flow of life. As speech after speech is offered, the reader wonders when God will finally address the situation and bring clarity for all involved.

Job’s ordeal would eventually bring him to confess his ignorance. The creature would eventually profess his limited knowledge, declaring that he once only heard of God, but know he sees Him (40:1-5; 42:1-6). Though Job never understood the exact reasoning behind the calamity (1:1-2:13), he quit trying to. He and his friends received a healthy dose of Creature-creation reality, and Job merely trusted that God was faithful - no matter how fast life unfolded.

[2] In referencing Open Theism and The Word of Faith movement, I’d like to offer two modern examples that reinforce the principle that sustained, biblical care is directly proportionate to one's willingness to address the fullness of God's character as it is represented in Scripture. Given the limited scope of this post, both examples are admittedly underdeveloped. If you are looking for a more detailed critique of both systems of thought, I recommend you to Beyond the Bounds edited by Piper, Taylor, Helseth and Are Miraculous Gifts For Today, by Wayne Grudem within Zondervans Counterpoints series.

Open Theism, as espoused by Greg Boyd, John Sanders, and Clark Pinnock, posits a scenario where both God and man author the course of history such that when tragedy strikes, God is as surprised as man. Open Theism has a very nuanced understanding of God’s sovereignty in that the Creator willfully lays aside this prerogative for the privilege of experiencing the created order with man. God, in his co-author role, is abundantly gracious and empathetic. He grieves the tragedies that beset his children and in their pain, He joins them. Suffering is ultimately a random event with both Creator and creature experiencing it simultaneously.

Within the Word of Faith teachings, God simply has not designed His children to suffer for “by Christ’s stripes we are healed”. Thereby we as His children, when exemplifying proper faith, are given the capacity to bring heaven’s power down to earth. God isn’t ultimately responsible for suffering; it is solely the work the Enemy and God is by no means the author of our pain. This position is reductionistic in its' understanding of church history and biblical teaching, as such it undercuts any potential power for long term pastoral care precicely becasue it removes God from the equation. My ultimatle relief from suffering will be directly proportionate to the measure of faith I exhibit. Should suffering continue we are ultimately under spiritual attack and simply don't have the faith resources to overcome.

As such, any system of beliefs concerned with keeping God free of culpability, immediately forfeit the ability to offer ministry that is relevant and true to God’s self-revelation. Far from seeking to keep God’s justice intact, we should be seeking to submit to His eternal wisdom. A wisdom that ordained the very suffering of Christ, in which we are most blessed if we follow in His steps.

Put Down the Rum!

A good bit of Captain Morgan is the only possible explanation for the following:

PARIS - Somolia pirates in two skiffs fired on a French navy vessel early Wednesday after apparently mistaking it for a commercial boat, the French military said. The French ship gave chase and captured five suspected pirates. (Full Story)

All I know about pillaging and pirating I learned from Captain Jack Sparrow. Upon setting foot on the French vessel, I'd like to think that at least one of these fine men uttered, "Parlay anyone"?

"Hi Ho, Hi Ho..."

Provided is a quick read for those interested in eyeballing an article that is both articulate and informed. In seeking to contextualize our current economic downturn along historical, political, and theological lines, Malanga’s piece on our nation's work ethic is insightful. If time allows, the entire article would be worth it.

Take care

Whatever Happened to the Work Ethic? Quick Read

Whatever Happened to the Work Ethic? Longer Read

Mom, Where's My Clothes!

The following is an insert from 20 Centuries of Great Preaching, Volume 1, Origen Admantius, pg. 29-30

His parents supplied him with both Christian education and Christian example…In addition, his father taught him the Scriptures; to learn a passage of Scripture a day was a routine part of Origen’s life as a boy…When Origen was sixteen, a violent persecution erupted against the Christians. His father, Leonides, was thrown into prison. Origen ardently desired to follow his father to martyrdom. His mother prevented his leaving the house - by hiding all his clothes. Unable to go to his father, Origen wrote to him and pled with him not to abandon his faith out of anxiety for his family. Leonides stood by his faith and was beheaded…

With both a biographical sketch and a sample of preaching, this chapter centers on Origen as a 3rd century churchman. Certainly ecclesiastical opinion of Origen's contributions vary, yet it was the influence of a father that I found most gripping.

It needs little commentary, but may we as fathers follow Leonides lead. Let it be said that our home fashioned men of bold faith; that our commitment to glory in Christ inspired a yearning for the unseen. Let it be said that our consistent displays of grace, justice, and humility propelled our household to greater expressions of faith, hope, and love.

May we be found faithful, grace and peace.