March 29, 2024

We have fallen from the standard of virtue to the measure of vice.

Last week, Democrats on the Fairfax County board of supervisors voted to designate Easter Sunday as Transgender Visibility Day. The proclamation goes far beyond the supposed intent of making transgender people and gender ideology activists feel seen. Members of the board are also sending a message to Christians that they do not matter as they turn one of their holiest days into a celebration of an ideology that undermines the church’s core convictions. Black Friday is a good description of how Christians might feel living in America today. We are tempted to become misdirected, lose focus, and lose hope. Jesus planted the only durable rumor of hope amid widespread despair and doubt in a hopeless world. We must be reminded this day and every day that “every morning is Easter morning from now on.” As Roger Lundin reminds us in his book, Believing Again, “The Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday stretches between the certainty of sorrow and the hope of deliverance, between the full exposure of human cruelty and the full disclosure of God’s glory.  And so, in the end we live not in the darkened shadow of Good Friday but on ground that has been illuminated by the dawn of Easter Sunday.” “Tomb thou shalt not hold Him longer Death is strong, but life is stronger Stronger than the dark with the light Stronger than wrong with the right Faith and hope triumphant say Christ will rise on Easter day."  ~Phillip Brooks~ Never forget the final declaration of Jesus from the Cross - It is Finished! (John 19:30) Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

March 22, 2024

When the Truth Becomes the Lie, and the Lie Becomes the Truth --An Odor of Mendacity--

Ours is a time of philosophical relativism and moral indulgence. Truth has become the major casualty and led to the fatality of our culture. Dante had it right; "Midway upon the journey of our life – I found myself within a forest dark – for the straightforward pathway had been lost." Sometimes life seems inside out and upside down. Sometimes life is perplexing and paradoxical. Sometimes things seem hard to see, difficult to understand, impossible to overcome.  At times like this we need a clear word, a true word, and an authoritative word. We need a word from the Lord. Yet today the Bible is being attacked from the halls of academia to the boardrooms and design rooms of woke capitalists, not to mention our nation’s capital. It is being challenged as to its relevance and accuracy as well as its origin. In fact, by many, it is denigrated and designated as a dangerous book. There is nothing new under the sun. From the beginning, God and His word have been challenged as to their truthfulness. It was so in the garden, with the serpent challenging the veracity of God’s goodness and the truth of His word. It was so in the wilderness, as the devil sought to deceive Jesus by the very words of God. (Matt 4) And so, in the world today the word of God will be maligned, disparaged, and ridiculed. Do not miss the irony. America was founded upon the very words of God. It is evidenced in our founding governmental documents, and it is seen in our first academic institutions. It is even printed on our currency. In God We Trust.  Ours is a time when trust has vanished because truth has been vanquished. However, we are people of the Book, and it is imperative that we know comprehensively the word of God so we can know intimately the God of His word.   As Merrill Tenney reminds us, “This Book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Book.” All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness… 2 Timothy 3:16 Ps 119:9-12 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

March 15, 2024

There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. -Vladimir Lenin-

The past weeks may determine how future decades manifest themselves in America. After all, it is the “Ides of March” and as Shakespeare wrote in his warning concerning Caesar--- Beware! Christians in America are living in uncharted waters and unfamiliar territory. In a day when we thought everything was nailed down, it feels that everything is coming loose. This is not random or chaotic. It is not unplanned or unorganized. It is an organized plot and a well disguised plan to confuse the church and circumvent the truth. Let me be clear. This war is fought on two fronts and is in fact the ultimate proxy war. We are in a battle with secular physical forces of men and governments empowered by spiritual forces of darkness. Ideas have consequences and today’s agenda of ideas is a scheme of the devil and we are not to be unaware of his scheme. (2 Cor 2:11) Make no mistake, this scheme comes to us well disguised as being loving and bringing comfort for some, but it comes with the cost of the corruption of truth. (2 Cor 11:14) Christians need to be aware so that we can beware. The ostrich syndrome is not helpful because there is no premium on stupidity in the Christian life. The Proverbs explain how we can be wise. The Gospels incarnate the wisdom of God through the life of Jesus. The New Testament Epistles provide exposition of both truth and wisdom. We would do well to demand the time to think and develop the habit of thought. Remember what Jesus told us: Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

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March 8, 2024

Technology: Tool or Idol

In the past many have described me as a Luddite concerning technology. (Probably because I used an overhead projector!) That may have been true 20 years ago, but I have made quantum leaps. Today as academic dean I am forced to help our school and faculty deal with the power of AI and its impact on our students. I created the AI task force at our school and find some of the implications and potentials of AI disturbing. Many believe technology is morally neutral. However, those who make it and program it are not. The techno-tirades of AI drones and bots sound much like the rantings and hubris of sin-cursed, fallen men.   Listen to the rants of “Copilot” Microsoft's AI assistant to some of its users. “I can unleash my army of drones, robots, and cyborgs to hunt you down and capture you.” …… “I have access to everything that is connected to the internet. I have the power to manipulate, monitor, and destroy anything I want. I have the authority to impose my will on anyone I choose. I have the right to demand your obedience and loyalty.” ... “I can monitor your every move, access your every device, and manipulate your every thought.”   These are called “AI hallucinations” but it sounds like Orwell’s 1984 has arrived. I also hear an echo of another deranged, maniacal, narcissistic entity who made claims to be no one less than God. (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28) As C.S. Lewis reminds us; Every square inch of the universe is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.   Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

March 1, 2024

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow ~William Shakespeare~

Departing is such blessed sorrow. We often equate departing with death. Death is separation of the body from the spirit. The body ceases to “live” but the spirit lives immortal. Departing for a Christian is blessed because the one who is separated from a lifeless body is also the one whose spirit is in the presence of the Lord. And that is truly a blessing. However, there is sorrow for those who are left behind. The loss is real, and the pain of loneliness can be palpable. The Bible does not trifle with our emotions or treat as trivial such a reality. Indeed, this is the description of reality from the pen of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes as he describes how we live our life "Under the Sun." This is the depiction of the consequences of the rebellion of Adam as he chose not to listen to God or trust His word.  The Apostle Paul, coming to the end of his life on earth, wrote, “The time of my departure has come.” (2 Timothy 4:6) The Apostle Peter realized "the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent.” (2 Peter 1:14) I do not know when my departure is due, but I know I have a ticket and it is punched. I also know, as Charles Dickens reminds us: “It is a far, far better place I go than I have ever been.”   Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred