Playing by Their Book- why radical Islamist terrorists act like they do

Playing by Their Book

I may get some push back from this blog, but it is worth the risk. Our president and other politicians may hesitate to identify the actions of ISIS and other radical Islamic groups as terrorism, but it certainly is obvious to anybody who is objective to see that recent brutal murders in America is not "workforce violence" or "gay bashing." Over and over we hear people in the media and in Washington D.C. say that the actions of these radicals discredits the peaceful religion of Islam.

Yes, there are many Muslims in America and around the world who seek to live law abiding lives and to practice charitable actions. They make good neighbors. Many of us may even have Muslim friends. I have friends who minister among Muslim immigrants in America as they seek to develop friendships and provide material and emotional support among the Muslim immigrants. Of course, their ultimate desire is to demonstrate the power of the gospel and eventually share the good news of God's Amazing grace found only in Christ Jesus.

So if Islam is a peaceful religion, why do these fundamentalist Muslims carry out so much inexcusable violence? My response is these terrorists are simply playing by their book- The Koran. This may be simplistic, but it seems to me the problem is not so much with Islam but with the Koran. Many Muslims are Muslims by culture and birth like many Americans are Christians only in name without a relationship with Christ.

I strongly recommend that every American read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, a book by Nabeel Quresh. Nabeel was born and raised as a Muslim in a devout Muslim family that practiced non violence. He was devout in his love for Allah and the prophet Mohammed. He said he believed every word in the Koran and would debate anybody willing to try to defend Christianity and the Bible. A deep friendship with a professing Christian in college led to many such debates. But, little by little his confidence in the Koran faded. Risking the loss of friends and family Nabeel surrendered to Jesus Christ's claims on his life. Today he is on staff with Ravi Zacharias, a Christian apologist and author.

In Nabeel's research of the Koran that he had blindly accepted, he discovered that mush of the violent behavior of the radical Islamists was not that radical- rather they were simply living by "The Book". The Koran includes texts that approve and even command some of the violent behavior we see today including raping women and girls captured in battle. The beheading of Christians on the seashore, the burning a Jordanian soldier, the capturing and raping of young girls in Africa and the horrible slaughter in Orlando and San Bernadino and at the Boston Marathon were actions that are approved in the Koran.

So, I agree with the title Fundamentalist Muslims. Yes, they are simply acting according to the book.

Mary and I led the Muslim Prayer Band while at Moody. We thought we would serve as missionaries in a Muslim country, but God led us into the pastorate here in America. I can say with integrity that I love Muslims. It is the Koran I fear.

"All’s Well that Ends”

For those of you who have hung around me over time, you know how I like to misquote and twist familiar sayings. “All’s well that ends” is one of my favorites. In fact, it has become my philosophy of life. I suspect if there is a celebration of my life after I have taken my final breath, somebody may share this memory. 

Of course, I realize the original proverb, or whatever you wish to call it, had one more word to complete the thought. I have had numerous persons try to correct me or to help me by adding the word “well.” Sometimes it feels like they are just trying to be courteous by helping an old man with a memory problem. But, honestly, I prefer my shorter version not just because it gets their attention, but it truly does reflect reality.

Anybody can say, “All’s well that ends well.” It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. We all like knowing a project or an experience ended well. I prefer winning over losing a game. I selfishly prefer winning by a large margin- none of that “by the skin of your teeth” stuff for me!

Saying “All’s well that ends” is not simply trying to act like a “Smart Alec.” (Yes, there really is such a word in the dictionary with the connotation of being arrogant or a show off.) Perhaps that was my original motive when I first starting leaving off the word, “well”. As a child, I was often (or attempted to be) a Smart Alec. I had a quick tongue and sometimes received the board of education on the seat of knowledge to convince me to change.

Recently I discovered a very wise man who agrees that “All’s well that ends.” Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 7:8, said it this way- “The end of the matter is better than its beginning.” Now, with just a bit of loose hermeneutic I think Solomon is saying, ”All’s well that ends.” No matter how it started or how something progressed or failed to progress, it always ends, and that is good. So even if it ends good- I win by doubling the score on my adversary- or if it ends poorly- I get skunked, either way the game is over. I can leave the field to lick my wounds in private, and that is better than listening to their cat calls and taunting.

But, I ask for your patience as I try to demonstrate that “All’s well that ends” is not only biblical, but it is an appropriate philosophy as a follower of Jesus Christ.

In three more weeks I hit the big 72. I realize how few years I have left to invest or to waste. No longer do I assume Jesus will return before my name is listed in tomorrow’s obituary column. But, whether I live to a ripe old age and keep my mind (what is left of it) or whether I die tomorrow or whether I become a victim of Alzheimer ’s disease, the endgame is great. Paul, writing from prison and expecting to literally lose his head, declared that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord which is far better.”

The prophet Habakkuk, facing the severity of the Babylonian siege, and feeling how unjust this was, sang,

“Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

Though olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall,

Yet, I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.” – Hab. 3:16b-18

Habakkuk could compose this song because he knew “The Sovereign Lord” was his strength.” He believed that all would be well no matter the circumstances or how it all ended. He knew that the “Lord was in His holy temple” so the whole earth should be silent before Him or trust Him.

Didn’t Jesus also teach this principle? “Why”, He asked, ”should we worry about tomorrow if we know Him who knows the endgame and marks the fall of the sparrow? Why fret about the lack of food in our pantry or clothes in my closet if our Father in Heaven feeds birds and wraps the lily in splendor?”

Life is a journey. Some days it is just flat out tough to just hold on. Some days life may be like a bowl of cherries (for Forrest Gump a box of chocolates or for me, Oregon strawberries or cashew nuts). My life and your life is a story being lived out moment by moment. No matter how my life began or how today began, someday it will all be history. I can choose how to live each day. In Paul’s words in Philippians 4, I can choose to worry about the “what ifs” that may never happen or I can choose to trust God. I can complain or I can give thanks in all things. Paul trusted God, like Habakkuk, to bring good things out of life's difficult experiences. Didn’t God promise this in Roman 8:28? Not everything that happens is good. Some experiences in life just plain stink; others are excruciating painful. But, for Christ followers, it always ends well.

Isn’t that the big story throughout Scripture? Things started off really well in the garden. Then sin entered and everything has been negatively affected. The rest of the Bible is God working through every event in history to accomplish His ultimate purpose- His endgame.

When I read the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, especially the final chapters, everything sin and Satan defiled will be made new. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Once again God will dwell among us like He did with Adam and Eve. No more tears to shed. No more pain. No more funerals to attend. No more final goodbyes. All will be new!

It doesn’t get any better than that. So, like I said, “ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS!”  And it will end very, very well! Perhaps, very soon. Wouldn’t that be good?

Oh, yes, how do you like the picture taken on our 50th anniversary. It has been 50 wonderful years with a few tough days mixed in, but what are they when "All's well that ends?"

A Time to Remember

One more day and the anticipation is building. Tomorrow we celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary. Mary's brother and wife, Gary and Jerry Cline, are here from Cape Coral, Florida to help us celebrate. Their son, Ty, was our ring bearer fifty years ago. Jerry played the organ for our ceremony. Today the old wedding album came out and we enjoyed memories stimulated by the photos. Mary dug out our original wedding rings this morning also, and I printed out our wedding vows and the song I sang to her at the wedding. Nostalgia is burning deeply.

Fifty years with a person you love, trust and share everything creates golden memories. I recall the early days and years with all the stress of finishing college and beginning a family and entering ministry at such a young age. I still wonder why Pulaskiville Community Church in Ohio would call such a neophyte. But, then I remember, they were hard up for somebody to occupy the parsonage and preach on Sundays.Those seven and a half years in that country church was the best seminary I could ever attend. There were so many firsts- my first lead pastorate, our first son, Dan, was born, our first difficult relationship caused by my thoughtlessness of giving away our little dog just before Christmas Eve. How I cherish the memories of that loving church family that grew and grew both in numbers and spiritual depth. I discovered God could use a shy, country boy from Nebraska in His great kingdom work.

When I finally was able to go to seminary, I chose Western in Portland. Those thirteen years at Powellhurst Baptist Church were also filled with memories. My near fatal accident when the scaffolding collapse followed by six weeks in the hospital with a body cast, both legs and one arm in a cast were trying times. Mary came through with flying colors- my first visitor every morning and the last to leave at night. Keeping the home fires burning and being mother to growing boys while I was out of the home was difficult, but she would say she was "only doing what she had promised on our wedding day...."through sickness and in health...". 

Twenty three years serving First Baptist Church (now Foundry Church) have been filled with memories. Most of them very good; a few difficult times. Now retired we choose to remain in Bend because it is such a great place to live and to remain close to our granddaughter, Faith, who is now finishing her Freshman year at Bend Senior High. Now we have lived in Oregon over half of our lives so I think we qualify for being true Oregonians.

Tonight our son, Dan, and his family arrive for the weekend celebration. The house will be filled with laughter. Tomorrow a few close friends will join the family celebration. But, the star of the show will be Mary, my wonderful wife and my very best friend. We have traveled many miles together- most of them delightful but a few very difficult times as well. We survived those storms and trials together. Solomon was correct when he said "two are better than one." I thank God that the one person he put into my life as my help mate (God knew how much help I would need).

So, in my rambling today, I want to share the lyrics of the song I sang to Mary (she joined me on the chorus). The words resonate more today than they did than night, June 11, 1966. Today they are reality.

Darling, the day has come that we've been dreaming of,

When at the altar white we'll say our vows of love;

Oh, what a happy time: all gone the doubt and fear,

And, with the promises, we'll add this one my Dear.

Chorus

Each for the other and both for the Lord.

Oh, Darling Sweetheart, let the angels record;

Vows sweetly spoken; may they never be broken;

Each for the other, and both for the Lord.

We'll walk together Love, thru sunshine- thru the shade,

Weill mingle tears and smiles and travel unafraid;

Halos of happiness will crown each passing day

Til heaven shines ahead and beckons us away.

Chorus

Words and music by John Peterson

Copyright 1957

As I typed those lyrics in the last stanza, my heart is both heavy and yet joyful. After fifty years, we have less time to share together than has already passed. Heaven seems so much more imminent. But, until then, I thank God for the love of my life however long that may be.

Sweeter as the years go by- our 50th anniversary trip

There she is, my sweetheart of fifty plus years counting the courtship days back at Moody. This was our first night in Banff, Canada at a local restaurant. I asked the host for the best seat in the house so they seated us by the big fireplace. It snowed that night so the fireplace was welcome.

To celebrate our anniversary, Mary preferred a road trip together over a reception and social event. So, we chose to chalk off a few of the places we wanted to visit that were on our "bucket lists." Eight days and almost 3,000 miles (all but about 200 were not on Interstate Freeways).

Driving through Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada, we enjoyed the beauty and wildlife (not what younger people do after dark in the taverns) but bears, mountain goats, Big Horn sheep, moose and wolves. The beauty of the mountains, mile after mile, almost became overwhelming.

After the Canadian Rockies we drove through Glacier National Park in Montana and attended church in Kalispell where we met a great group of brothers and sisters we had never met before but anticipate sharing eternity with them.

Whenever we had the choice, we chose the alternate routes through ranch country in Montana and Idaho while working our way to Clarkston, WA. The route to Enterprise, OR. and the Wallowa Mountains was spectacular! Of course Joseph and Wallowa Lake were memorable. But, a highlight was driving up the steep dirt road above Imnaha, OR. toward Hell's Canyon. The views down into the valleys were spectacular including a four by four point bull elk staring back at us. We went as far as possible until the snow blocked the road.

By the way, if you have never enjoyed a cheeseburger at the general store and tavern in Imnaha, it is a five star event. Rattlesnake skins are stretched out and drying on the bar counter. It was the only place in town where you can buy a cup of coffee for 35 cents- it was the only place in town to be honest. After the muddy road above Imnaha, we arrived home with the pick up truck covered with mud.

So what impressed me most on the trip?

As great as the majestic scenery was, I was most impacted by the reminder that Christian marriage is a wonderful gift from God. Choosing the right woman and living one day at a time through thick and thin is rewarding. The great river of love may seem silent at our age, but it is powerful and very rewarding.

So if there is a moral to this story, let it be this: Hang in there. Keep those vows. Invest in the relationship. Give more than you seek to receive and the reward is worth it all. Love becomes sweeter as the years go by.

I know because I have been there.

By the way, isn't that lady in the pictures beautiful!

A River Runs through It

A River Runs Through It

It doesn’t seem possible that Mary and I will be celebrating our fiftieth anniversary in a few weeks. Where have the years gone?

We both love to travel, and we enjoy the splendor of the mountains, so to celebrate we will be leaving for a trip through Banff National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in Montana.

As I reflect on our relationship over the past 50 years, I describe our love as a river. There were those early exciting years when we first discovered each other at Moody Bible Institute. At least speaking for myself, I remember the first time I really noticed Mary. She was standing in the line for dinner at the bottom of the stairs in Smith Hall. Something happened in me. Call it a spark or whatever. But it soon became an explosion of emotions after I convinced her to go out with me. From that time on we spent almost every free moment together.

Ah, the splendor of “young love!” Like melting snow rushing down the mountain our love became a stream racing over the rocks- passionate, noisy, exciting and threatening to burst out of its banks.

Thank God for that emotional, sexual attraction that first brings a man and a woman together. But, like the head waters of a river, marital love cannot remain constantly at that same passionate level. As C.S. Lewis observed, nobody can live at that same emotional high 24/7. Yes, it may have drawn us toward one another, but something more mature was needed to keep us together through the rigors and seasons of life.

Our love, and I believe it is true in every marriage that survives decade after decade, our love grew more deeply. Like a river, once a passionate stream, it became a river. Through each shared crisis and each blessing the river grew and matured. Now, after fifty year (one half century) my love for Mary is deeper, less selfish, more serving. Now, I know Mary more than I ever could have when we first became one flesh. Now, I can predict how she will respond to things (usually, who can ever predict everything going on in a woman’s mind?). Now, after 50 years, I enjoy just sitting across the room from her enjoying her unique manners and facial expressions.

Yes, today our love has become a mature river running deeply. It may no longer noisily boast. But, don’t be deceived by the appearance of tranquility, the current in the mature river is powerful, sometimes irresistible. It cannot be coaxed out of its channel as it flows gracefully to the sea, committed to finishing its journey.

People, when they learn of our golden anniversary, often respond with praise and admiration. They ask, “What is the secret to making it this long?” I could respond with several reasons we are still together and still in love with one another. But, if I had to answer in one word, it would be “devotion”.

Marriages seldom last based upon physical attraction or romantic feeling or even sex. Mary and I are still married today because we made a commitment and kept it. We have been devoted to our marital vows. We have remained devoted to our relationship. We have endeavored to remain devoted to Jesus Christ and His call upon our lives.

So, if you ask me why we made it fifty years, I respond that I am devoted to one woman- to Mary. I have experienced a little babbling brook become a stream crashing through boulders and now flowing quietly, but relentlessly like a mature river. I love the sound of rushing snowmelt over rocks. I cherish the sound of a babbling brook. I am impressed by the mighty rapids of our Deschutes River, but I stand in silent respect when I look several miles across the Columbia River as it embraces the Great Pacific Ocean.

I am not alone when I describe Mary and my relationship for fifty years as “a river runs through it.” As a youth one of my favorite pop artists were the Everly Brothers. I love the lyrics of one of their hits, “Devoted to You.” The lyrics, written by Felica Bryan, include the metaphor of a great river.

“Through the years our love will grow.

Like a river it will flow.

It can’t die because I am so devoted to you.”

By the grace of God and through self discipline, I remain devoted to my wife. My greatest regret is that there is one lyric from the song that I cannot say is true about me. The song promises the following”

“I’ll never leave you, I’ll never lie,

l never be untrue,

I’ll never give you reason to cry…”

When I remember the times I caused Mary to cry over a careless word or action, I feel deep remorse. I wish I could go back and erase every selfish action and delete every word that did not edify her. But, because Mary is devoted to me, she has born with me and offered me unconditional grace time after time.

Man, I really enjoy our river today.

Troubled by a front page headline

"Rival Christians unite to restore holy site"

When my eyes caught a headline on the front page of our local newspaper, The Bend Bulletin, I cringed. Two words- "Rival Christians" ought to be an oxymoron. These two words expose one of the weaknesses of organized (Can we truly call it organized?) Christianity. 

Three major Christian communities have oversight of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the old city of Jerusalem. Quoting the article, "Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic communities "share- and sometimes spar over - what they consider Christianity's holiest site..." From time to time we read about the competitive spirit between these groups. A church guard, Farah Atallah was quoted, "Sometimes they punch each other." I, myself, remember the report of an actual brawl between monks and priests back in 2008. 

Finally, with the site in disrepair the three groups have agreed to cooperate in order "to save the dilapidated shrine... from falling down." The cost for the 3,4 million dollar renovation is to be covered by each group contributing one-third. A Greek bank has also contributed 50,000 euros ($57,000) for scaffolding in exchange for having their name "emblazoned" on all the machinery.

I have visited this site when touring Israel, However, on our last tour, I asked our guide to eliminate it from the itinerary due to the perpetual almost chaotic environment. Even if this is the exact site for Jesus' burial, I find it repulsive due to the noise and the display. Yes, I admit to being a simple Protestant. I am not accustomed to all the ritualism and the incense etc.

There is another site outside the old City called "The Garden Tomb". It may not be authentic, but one can't help but appreciate the contrast between the two sites. In place of noise and the competitive spirit under the Church of The Holy Sepulcher, here in the Garden there is quietness. The noise of the outside world is absent for the most part. Instead of competition between Christian groups, everybody is welcome. Denominational barriers are absent as each tour group gathers to share Communion and wait their turn to visit the empty tomb. The only words one reads is not the name of a sponsoring bank, but "He is not here for He has risen."

I write today not to promote the Garden Tomb but to share my grief when I read those two words, "Rival Christians". Oh, how we have grieved our Lord and savior! He, who prayed for us- for everybody who would believe the Good News. Jesus prayed that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. When Christian brethren have become rivals, we deliberately ignore, even deny, Jesus' prayer.

Having mentioned the Good News, I want to reiterate why it is good news. Jesus Christ, fully God, became one of us. He lived the perfect life we can never live. He died in our place, paying the debt we owe and can never pay. He defeated death by rising from the tomb. Thank God, the news doesn't end with the resurrection, as powerful as that is. Jesus returned to heaven where He is seated in the place of honor, demonstrating God's justice has been satisfied. But, let us never forget that Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us and to comfort and empower us so that we can truly love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

It doesn't get any better than that.

So let us also pray that we who claim to follow Jesus will be one in faith and in our actions toward one another. By this the world will recognize that Jesus came to live among us and that He truly did rise again and is living through His followers today.

A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep

  

Now that I am an older man and have put in “my time” as a pastor, I hope I have earned the right to share my evaluation of the state of the evangelical church in America today. I remember those euphoric days back in the 80's when we were the Silent Majority, or so we claimed to be. Evangelicals, or at least those who claimed to be “born again” Christians, were no longer a small, fringe movement. We had become a political cause to be reckoned with, and we were going to change the world. We were the Kingdom of God unleashed to save our culture and take back our “Christian Nation.”

Ah, but were those really the best days of the Church? Or, had we lost our vision and replaced our biblical mission?

In cleaning out the old files that I mentioned in the previous blog I discovered an article by Joseph Bayly that had been published in the January, 1984 edition of Eternity magazine. Joe Bayly was, in my opinion, a prophet. He had the deep perception to see what others missed, and his writings often challenged our corporate Christian conscience. Writing thirty two years ago, Bayly’s article serves as a clarion call to the contemporary Evangelical church in America. 

In the editorial, Bayly shared a brief story about a man who had visited Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Reflecting on the Holocaust, the man asked an Episcopal priest, John Westerhoff, “How could this have happened in the land of Luther and Bach?”

Westerhoff responded, “That is easy to understand, The Christian church had become concerned with the here and now; it had lost its vision and for forgotten what the Bible teaches- ‘without a vision the people perish.’ But, Hitler remembered and gave our people a vision.”

For emphasis Bayly repeated those words, “The Christian church had become concerned with the here and now; it had lost its vision.” Bayly’s next words reflect his prophetic gift: “Is it possible that those fateful words will be used by some future commentator to explain the current conservative Christian situation in the United States?” 

Please bear with me as I share just a few more of Bayly’s prophetic words.

“The American church is a ‘here and now’ church…" he said, " Pie in the sky has long since been replaced by pie on the plate, godliness by success. Jesus said, ‘Fear not little flock’; we say, ‘We’re a big flock now, a significant force in American politics, who’s afraid?’ Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation’, we say, ‘In the world you shall have prosperity.’ Jesus said, ‘I have overcome the world’; we say, ‘We have overcome the world.’”

I write with deep frustration because I dare not share more insights from Joe Bayly for fear of becoming too verbose. But, I am one of those “future commentators” Bayly spoke about thirty two years ago. Contemporary Evangelicalism has lost it biblical vision. We are like a river that is a mile wide and an inch deep. Sound, biblical theology has been replaced with “feel good” philosophy. The Gospel Paul preached and eventually gave his life defending has been replaced with a prosperity gospel promising its followers a really good life here and now.  Instead of reflecting the meekness Jesus spoke of and exhibited, we are proud and assertive.

I am deeply alarmed by this current presidential election cycle. I struggle, when proclaimed Evangelical pastors and presidents of Evangelical colleges publicly throw their support for a candidate that, from my perspective, shares none of our biblical values. When I read a quote from a Charismatic Evangelical pastor saying “Donald Trump may be one of us,” I cringe. How, under God’s heaven, can any person who boasts" he has never asked God for forgiveness" be one of us? When did repentance fall out of our vocabulary? God values humility. Trump is the epitome of narcissism. He claims to love everybody, especially Evangelicals. In reality, I believe he only loves himself.

Am I angry? Yes! Sometimes, I sense it is a righteous anger. Other times, I confess it is just carnal. I need to pray for each our candidates to personally experience the power of the gospel. May they have the courage to do what is right, and not just follow their party lines. My deepest frustration is not with any of the present candidates; it is with those Evangelical leaders who claim to be followers of Jesus, yet they publicly support a candidate that reflects few or none of the values of Jesus. 

Yes, I grant them (and you) the freedom to vote as you choose. But, to say this candidate is “one of us” is absurd.

Our Christian forefathers recognized there are two cultures- two cities as they described them: The City of God and the City of Man. This present world and all it represents is not my home. I am an alien passing through. I am an immigrant trying to make this world better as long as I live here, but my heart and my passion is for the world to come. Meanwhile, that blessed hope must spur me on.

As much as I love pie, my favorite pie will not be enjoyed here but “pie in the sky” to come when I am finally home.