Focus

So tomorrow I'm heading up to Camp of the Master for our churches youth group yearly camp weekend. This will be my 10th year there, speaking all but twice. Our theme this year is 'The 2008 Olympiad' to go along with this years summer Olympics in Beijing, China. I will be speaking about various 'spiritual disciplines' that we as believers must have in order to more effectively 'run the race' that Our Father has laid out for us.

The first, and most important, 'spiritual discipline' we will look at will be 'focus.' I do not doubt that many Buddhist's monks, Islamic clerics, Tribal Witchdoctors, Jewish Rabbis and Hindu Brahmins are very disciplined in their spiritual fields. Many of them meditate, pray, read and/or study their sacred writings, fast, teach, care, and discipline themselves for the sake of their god, their religion, or their ideas. The weakness or strength of these practices lies not in the practice itself. Rather, the strength or weakness lies in the focus of the mind, the heart, and the soul during each discipline. It would be extremely difficult to walk in the light if one's meditations were on darkness. If you focus on evil, where will you drift. A person paddling a kayak learns very quickly the importance of focus. If you look on way or the other, pretty soon you are way off course. Focus is also the reason you'll often hear on our church bus, "Micah, watch the road!"

In I Cor. 9:24-27 Paul talks about running, but not as with out aim and boxing, but not as with not as beating the air. If one wants to train correctly, focus is important. If you want to run a sub 3 hour marathon, you have to train with that in mind. You can't just run when you feel like it, whenever you feel like it. If you want to win the gold at the Olympics in the marathon you have to focus even more. It must almost become your singular focus. If you want to be the heavy weight champion of the world, you must watch what you eat. You must run, lift, jump and hit. You must learn to lay blows on the body bag with power not just a lazy jab into the air. A few years ago, Carrie Tollefson from Dawson MN was training for the Olympics in Athens Greece. In her runner's log, published in the paper, she spoke often of her training schedule. She trained twice a day! None of this go out for a run in the morning or evening and call it good enough stuff. She had grueling workouts twice a day. That's focus and it's the same kind of focus we need in our 'spiritual disciplines.' If we want the prize, we must focus correctly.

So, I'm ready to compete. I'm ready to focus my heart, my mind, my soul. I'm ready for the training. I'm ready to discipline myself. What should be my focus? Should I focus on world peace? What about the security of my homeland? Should my mind rest upon the teachings of Joseph Smith or Buddha? Should I empty my mind and seek a mystical enlightenment? The answer to each of these is of course no. We are told by the author of Hebrews, in 5 simple words, what the object of our focus should be. In Hebrews 12:2 he states, "fix our eyes on Jesus." Jesus is our focus. He is the author of our faith as well as its protector. Can we, without the vine, accomplish anything, let alone press on for the prize? He, because of the joy set before Him (His goal?) endured the cross, looking down upon the shame and sat down at the right hand of God because He accomplished the goal. The author of Hebrews has already told us in Chapter 3 verse 1 to consider Jesus and now he tells us again in 12:3. Jesus, endured this hostility, and the mere focusing upon Jesus and what He has done for us, on our behalf, should quicken us and strengthen us for the race. Is this fixing our eyes on Jesus, this focus not the same as waiting upon the Lord?

Scripture is replete with the motivation for Godly living, i.e. the Gospel. Titus 3:8 tells us the motivation to do good works comes from a confident (and I would say constant) proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. If we forget the Gospel, if we forget what our Savior has done for us, if we fail to remember from what we were saved and the cost it took to get us home, then we will often forget to train with purpose if we even train at all.

Don't run with out aim. Don't box by beating the air. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run the race with endurance. Get rid of the sin that trips you up. Cast of the baggage that's slowing you down and run. Run with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. FOCUS! Spiritual Discipline #1

Some important reading

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

and now for some less important reading. (micah's meanderings)
Ecc. says there is a time for war and a time for peace. Jesus said to give to God what is God's and to Caesar what is Caesar's. Paul spoke of Governments baring the sword for a reason. In II Kings (I believe) we learn of the crimes committed by the head of a state - taking what was not rightfully their own (actually we can see that in David as well). I was talking the other day with an acquaintance of mine about the need for Christians to me more involved in political discussion and debate, not merely voting republican. And although he agreed with the later statement, he disagreed quite strongly with the first. He believed our political problems were the result of unsaved and corrupt politicians and our responsibility was to proclaim the Gospel, not debate politics. Now I would agree that we have a very many corrupt individual 'working for us' in DC and many state capitols AND that our primary responsibility is to teach that which is of first importance, the gospel as the power of God for those who believe, through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. However, i would say that to neglect to teach our churches and children the whole of scripture would be a disservice to our proclamation of the Gospel. How is an individual, saved and growing in God's grace, and called into public political service to act or govern? How am a I as a private citizen to give Caesar his due if i don't know what is his and what is God's? When is it the time for peace talks and when is it a time to shun peace talks and wage war? These are all important questions that the Bible answers. Let us be students of the whole counsel of God because He is involved in all the affairs of men.

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 4)

As you can probably tell by the title, this is my fourth entry about the Justice of War. The last post primarily dealt with the spheres of authority and how some nations view it as within their realm of authority to exercise control or dominion over other countries. The objection I often get to this is that Saddam was a terrible man, did great evil to his people and meant for great evil in the area and the world. In this post, I would like to offer further clarification of MY OPINION (which I happen to believe is based on scripture)

I liken the above scenario with Saddam to a more domestic situation (and objectors tend to agree with this likening). Lets us suppose my neighbor and his wife have not been getting along. Then let us further suppose that I see bruises on her face someday and she confides to me that she has been beaten by her husband. What moral authority do I have in this situation? Do I have the moral authority to stop it and keep it from happening again? If so, what measures are appropriate? Do I have the moral authority to punish the man?

Scripture clearly teaches that we are to care for the oppressed and to help them and love them. As a neighbor, I have a moral (and probably legal) obligation to see that this situation is rectified, that the woman is protected, the man is punished, and that it the situation does not repeat itself. Justice demands it and justice must be served. BUT, Justice will only be served justly. If I attempt to serve justice in an unjust manner, then justice will be demanded for me.

If I went into the man's house and gave him bruises in the same way and manner he gave them to his wife, that would be clearly wrong. Why? Paul tells us in Romans, that God has given the sword (and perhaps we can also add the whip) not to men as individuals, but to those who govern. The governing authorities must intervene in the lives of their 'subjects' to protect and punish as is their responsibility. God has granted that authority to the state/nation/governor. It is my responsibility to assist them and notify them and even to hold them accountable.

Now, how does this relate to sovereign nation/states? When a dictator or regime or political system of a nation/state commits wrong or evil upon its own citizenry, what is the responsibility of the neighboring states/nations (in our small world, its an easy case to say all nations neighbor each other)? In the domestic situation described in the previous paragraphs, the neighbor had the responsibility to care for the oppressed and assist her in her plight. The neighbor also had the responsibility of entrusting the matter to the governing authorities. So also in this case. The difference, however, is that the governing authority here is the One who is sovereign over all creation, the One who establishes nations and their boundaries and their governing authorities. The neighboring countries must offer shelter to the oppressed and then entrust the matter to the vengeance of God.

Let me conclude with this small note. When the authorities of a sovereign nation commit a crime against another nation or its citizenry, then it is the responsibility of the victimized nation to retaliate and punish and perhaps even conquer the guilty country. The extent of the punishment must be fair and proportional, worth the money and lives/blood spent, and must be carried out by the proper channels of authority. This however is another subject for another time (known as Jus In Bello as opposed to Jus Ad Bellum).

The point of this post, and the previous, was to show from a biblical perspective the unjustness of the current doctrine of foreign policy of the United States, i.e. that of intervening in the internal affairs of other nations. It is not about the justness of the current conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq. We did not go to those countries, as some claim, to settle their own injustices, nor would it be right for us to have done so. Our reason for going to Iraq was altogether different, but I disagree with that reason also and will blog about it another time.

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 3)

This is the third time i have addressed this subject this month I believe. But i have more information or scripture actually that i wish to put forward. You can find my first entry here and my second entry here.

One of the biggest objections I receive, and one of the most common misunderstandings of the doctrine of just war, is the idea of unjust dictators/regimes like Saddam Hussein or President Robert Mugabe or President Omar al-Bashir or Kim Jong-il and what moral responsibility we have as the United States (the most powerful nation on earth) to unseat them or cause regime change. (Notice, I didn't say the 'greatest' nation on earth, although there may be a case to make for this as a separate issue, but the most powerful, which is relatively undisputed).

I finally found some beneficial reading on this subject, not online, however, but on paper of all things, and from a great Bible teacher and scholar of the real sorts, the Rev. Dr. Ron Merryman.

The question about moral responsibility can really be brought back to the question of authority. The question would then be phrased, "Do we, the United States of America, have the authority to say who can govern other nations, what territory those nations can govern, and what system or style of government they can have? Can any nation dictate to any other nation these things?

The history of Israel in the Old Testament gives some background on this. First, we notice that in order for Israel to become a nation, God planned (not just allowed) for them to be subject in Egypt. He then also caused their own destruction by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. One does not have to read too carefully to realize that neither of these rulers where just or righteous, yet God used them to accomplish His purposes. From this we see that unjust rulers have their place, not that they are to be desired or sought after, but rather, God, in His sovereignty, appoints them for certain times, places and peoples to accomplish His purposes (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Did Nebuchadnezzar have the authority to take over the nation of Israel? Was his conquering and war with Israel just? The answer is no, but God used him to bring Israel to justice for neglecting the ordinances of God. This is where the real difficulty lies. Was it a just war or not? It brought justice to Israel, but through an unjust ruler/nation.

I believe the solution is fairly simple and easily discernible in scripture. Jesus said in Matthew 28 that all authority had been given to Him. He then delegates certain authorities to certain social spheres. For example, the family has the responsibility/authority for procreation and the up-bringing of children, their social, educational, spiritual, and physical formation. These areas of responsibility are often times usurped or re-delegated but nonetheless, belong to the family. Other areas of where authority is given are the church (I Tim 5:17), the individual (II Peter 1:6), and also the state or civil government (Romans 13).

These social institutions are limited in their authority because Jesus alone has been given all authority. When a nation starts to restrict a family on the education of their children, that nation is over stepping the bounds of its authority and the family can justly disobey (and face the consequences). It is unjust of the one autonomous institution to exercise power over another autonomous institution because by doing so, they are overstepping the bounds of their authority, which was given to them by God and did not originate with them.

An example of this would be if my neighbor came into my home and started saying i had to buy this car, and plant this tree, and paint my house this color, and pray this way. That neighbor is clearly overstepping the bounds of the authority God has given him of his own home by trying to do the same over mine. (One could address the idea of civil codes and laws here but that is not the point of this post). The same principle in the example above can be applied amongst sovereign nations. We as the US can not dictate to other nations their system of government, their boundaries, nor their leaders. We have tried to do this with money, calling it foreign aid, and guns, calling it a peace keeping mission. This is an arrogant position and an attempt at playing the part of God. It is not in our jurisdiction to tell the Iranians what to do and what not to do. We can talk to them. We can encourage them. We can trade with them. But we cannot boss them around like some playground bully and not expect retaliation. {As an aside, this is known in the political world as blowback. (Here is an excellent video describing that idea)}.

i think thats all for now, if anyone reads this and has comments for discussion, please post em.

Jus Ad Bellum

My mind has been racing much lately regarding the ancient Christian Doctrine (teaching) of Just War. Now, I want to reiterate my belief that not all ancient Christian Doctrine is right nor Biblical but neither is it all wrong. So with that, I will attempt to, in brief, formulate a simplified version of the history and the teaching as far as my limited understanding currently grasps.

First, the teaching was the result of Augustine of Hippo, in the late 4th and early 5th centuries wrote what we know as The City of God. (I have not read this nor do i think i could comprehend it if i did so the following comments about it are really my thoughts about other peoples thoughts about what Augustine wrote.) In this book, he explores the blame placed upon Christianity and it's pacifistic teachings upon the fall of the Roman Empire. In the work Augustine is seeking to lay out a philosophical balance between the imperialism of Rome and the pacifism of Christianity.

Thomas Aquinas, in the 1200's, also contributed much to the substance of this teaching in his writings. I believe that most modern discussions regarding Just War rest upon his writings.

It is clearly evident from any study of the Old Testament that God has used and has allowed wars to accomplish His purposes. Many may well argue that because the Old Testament is primarily about the nation of Israel war was part of the discussion but in the New Testament, there is a much clearer message of peace and peacemaking and this is directed to God's new instrument upon the Earth, no longer a nation, but the Church which consists of all peoples, nations, languages and tribes. With that being said however, there are passages within the New Testament (and passages in the Old Testament that can be argued to apply today) that paint a different picture of Justice and the role that the state should play in such. Some of these passages include Romans 13, I Kings 21, Daniel 2:21-23, Ecclesiastes 3:8, and I Peter 2:13-14.

Here is a simpleton's understanding. God is the one who grants/gives authority to kings or rulers. These rulers are His servants. They represent Him amongst the world. They exist to reward and to punish. If Joe Man has committed a crime against me, then the ruling authorities have the responsibility of justly avenging me. Now, suppose Joe Nation has wronged me, or us as a nation. It is then that our state/ruler has the responsibility of avenging the unjust nation for its wrong done to our nation. Of course as in local instances of crime, the punishment must fit the crime and of course a crime must have been committed before punishment can be inflicted. These crimes could be invasion, broken promises/treaties (lies), theft of property abroad (private or public) and/or kidnapping or jailing people unjustly (as was the case with the pirates of Tripoli back in the early 19th century).

That's all the further my thoughts have taken me although that surely is not the end of the road. Hope you enjoyed.

Youth Group

I just got done with our weekly youth group meeting. I love my job! Today we studied James 1:12 and a few of the verses that follow it. It was really good. I think so anyway. Of course, i'm biased because i do the teaching.

The verse goes something like this, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial becuase when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God promises to those who love Him."

We looked at various areas in our lives where we experience trials. These could be (and mostly likely are) in relationships, including family, friends, employers, teachers, peers, parents, and enemies of course. We also have trials in all sorts of areas in life from work to play to church to entertainment. We have trials (temptations - same greek word i guess) everywhere. Our job is to endure them. Why? Because life is better when we do. Think of it this way. Lets say you're heading to a friends house and you have to go to the bathroom. Would you rather give up or hold it. Of course life is better when we press on and succeed in doing what we where made to do. If i was made to love, which according to God's word i am, and i spent my life in selfish ambition, things aren't going to satisfy. I won't be 'blessed' as it were.

Last night i was surfing the net and came across a cool web site that talked about the power of sin in ones life. There was an excerpt from a sermon of John Piper that talked about understanding the power of sin that was an incredible illustration of enduring sin. We also looked up the following verses in our study that shed light on this passage. John 14:15; John 13:34-35; Genesis 4:6-7; and Hebrews 12:3-4.

I hope and pray that you are enduring, remaining, not giving up in your struggle with sin. The best help is found in Hebrews 12:2-3! Fix our eyes on Jesus. We should cling to His cross because as Gal 2:20 says, we have been crucified with Him so that now His life is in us, then we have the power and strength to stand. We have waited upon the Lord and we won't grow tired or weary (Is 40:31).

Be in God's word. This quote is simple yet too true to not share. God's Word will keep you from sin (Ps 119:11) or sin will keep you from God's Word (rm 1:18-32).