Come to Brownwood's Annual Community Easter Sunrise Service

I am blessed once again to bring the message at the annual Community Easter Sunrise Service, which will be at 7 am Sunday, April 16, at the Stuart and Margaret Coleman Plaza (the Depot Pavilion) in downtown Brownwood, TX. I would love to see you there.

The Scarlet Letter D

Divorced people feel judged.

It doesn't matter whether you feel as if you are judging them, or not. They feel judged.

Perhaps they are. Perhaps they were abandoned by their Sunday School classes, their small groups, their friends and families when they went through their divorce. Maybe their perception of abandonment and judgment was born of the inherent loneliness that follows when your life partner is no longer a part of you.

For this reason, teaching the Biblical position on divorce has become more difficult. Everyone has been touched by this issue. They've either been divorced, or have a close friend or relative who has. Seeing the potential for hurt feelings and estranged friendships, many churches have dropped the issue altogether. Others embrace divorce, hoping to show love and acceptance to those who have endured this tragedy.

The problem with teaching God's position on divorce, the position God clearly spells out in the Bible, is that all too often we miss the fundamental premise of Christianity when we teach this doctrine. The fundamental premise of Christianity is redemption and restoration. This premise materialized in the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and as a result, all are condemned to an eternity in Hell (Romans 6:23). However, Jesus Christ died that death on our behalf, settling God's need for justice, and He rose again conquering death and opening the doors of Heaven. We believe that we can be redeemed and restored, and welcomed into God's Kingdom as one of His children if we repent and believe that Jesus died for us on the cross (Romans 5:6-12, 1 John 2:1-2).

This is a concept that we celebrate. We celebrate the redemption in our lives. We celebrate that the Lord turned our lives around, and we are no longer lost in the darkness that once defined our lives.

We celebrate being redeemed from alcoholism, immorality, substance abuse and hopelessness. Not only that, but we celebrate when we see the Lord redeem and restore others as well. Some of the best-selling testimonials come from hardened-criminals-turned-redeemed-saints who are now spreading the good news of their salvation, and telling others how they too can be redeemed.

We love it when a man tells us about finding Christ in prison, how he went from living a ruined life to living a life that has purpose. We'll buy the book, we'll schedule special screenings of the movie, we'll invite the man to preach at our church. The story of redemption, restoration and reconciliation is an encouragement, and exciting to every believer.

Except, of course, when it comes to divorce. For some reason, unlike substance abuse, youthful sexual immorality, theft, incarceration and hedonism, divorce is treated like a permanent scar, that even after the salvation experience, one bears in their forehead. We may not intend to treat divorce like this, but we all too often preach God's plan for marriage, without including God's redemptive plan for when we fail to live up to His plan.

Divorce was never God's plan.

In Mark 10, The Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. When Jesus asked what the Law of Moses said, they replied "Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away." (Mark 10:4).

God's attitude toward marriage and divorce was then succinctly stated by Christ in Mark 10:5-9, which say:

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Notice what Christ did. Instead of splitting hairs over legitimate and illegitimate divorce, Christ stated God's plan. The plan of marriage was for a man and a woman to be joined together in marriage, and to stay joined together for life. However, because of the hardness of men's hearts, a provision allowing for divorce was written into God's law. In other words, if God's plan for the married life was not being followed, there was a way out for the innocent spouse.

In Matthew 19, and Matthew 5, Jesus stated that a legitimate reason for divorce is fornication. Fornication is defined as sexual immorality, which includes adultery, sex before marriage, pornography, sexual abuse, and physical and emotional abuse meant to allow for physical domination. In these cases, the offended spouse not only suffers intense emotional pain, but is also in physical danger. So, the Lord allows an escape through divorce. Ephesians gives a provision for abandonment.

In these cases, God's plan is violated, and God's word provides a remedy, as it does in other areas where His plan is violated.

So, God's law allows for divorce for certain reasons, but His plan is still for lifelong unity. Still, as broken human beings, we often fail to live up to God's plan.

Later, in Mark 10:11-12, Jesus states that getting divorced just so you can hook up with someone else is the same as committing adultery. These verses do not teach that those who have been divorced and remarried are living in eternal adultery. They merely state that divorces for the intent of sexual liberation are adultery.

Now, given God's plan for marriage, and His allowance for divorce, we need to remember that we never live up to God's plan.

For the spouse who was victimized by the fornication mentioned in Matthew 5 and Matthew 19, we need to remember that there is healing in the Lord. For the spouse that committed the fornication in Matthew 5 and Matthew 19, we need to remember that there is redemption in the Lord. For the one who committed adultery in the sense Christ mentioned in Mark 10:11-12, we need to remember that there is forgiveness, redemption and restoration in the Lord.

Even "amicable" divorces are brutal, devastating, painful, and leave one emotionally scarred. We, as the church, need to be aware of this, and remember this. We need to show our friends, brothers and sisters who have been devastated by divorce that there is healing and forgiveness in the Lord.

And when we address the issue of God's design for marriage, and His stance on divorce, we need to hold firm to what the scriptures teach, while extending the Lord's grace to those who fall short.

Who knows? Next time we might be the ones receiving the scarlet letter.

If Your Life Were A Movie...

Did you have a good life when you died?

Enough to base a movie on?

-Jim Morrison

My previous declaration of The Case for Christ being the movie of the year may have been premature, now that I learn that Same Kind of Different as Me will be released to theaters in October. 

Same Kind of Different as Me, based on the book of the same name written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, chronicles the intersection of the lives of Ron and Debbie Hall, and Denver Moore. Moore was a homeless man living on the streets of Fort Worth. Ron Hall is an international art dealer from Dallas, who was roped into volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission by his wife, Debbie. There, he meets Moore. He learns to love, serve, and minister through his experiences with Moore. 

I first became aware of this story 12 years ago while attending Texas Baptist Institute-Seminary in Henderson, TX. Debbie Hall was related to the president of our seminary, who used their story to teach us what ministry is really all about. 

The story is about a man who finds redemption in the forgiveness of his wife, and in learning selfless love toward a man who can do nothing to benefit him materially. The story also chronicles the rise of Moore from poverty to becoming one of the most beloved philanthropists Fort Worth has ever known. 

The common theme shared by The Case for Christ and Same Kind of Different as Me is the transformation God works in our lives. The inspiration of these movies is drawn from the fact that both chronicle real transformation that came as a result of real pain and suffering. 

The level of pain that Leslie Strobel felt as her husband, Lee, worked to destroy her faith cannot be overstated. The struggle Lee Strobel experienced as he searched for the truth about the resurrection cannot be overlooked. The pain and betrayal Debbie felt at the hands of Ron cannot be imagined. The suffering Moore experienced at the hands of his persecutors early in life is unconscionable. This is real pain that transformed real people.

As these individuals endured these hard times, it is highly unlikely they were thinking of book deals, or who would portray them in a movie. As they endured those transformative times,  they likely prayed that they would merely survive. All involved will probably tell you that they are surprised that anyone is even interested in their stories, let alone that the books sell, or that people turn out to watch their movies. 

The idea of the crucial times of our lives being made into movies struck me today. It made me think about my own struggles, and the possible outcomes and legacy that could be built if I stay faithful to the Lord.

Granted, I'm not enduring anything compelling enough to make a movie about, but if such a film were made, what would I want the plot to look like? How would I want that movie to end?

If your life were to be made into a movie, would you be the hero? Or the villain? Would you be the one who overcame, or the one who was overcome?

Chances are, none of us are headed to the silver screen. However, if we were, what would you want the audience to take away from your show?

Behind the Scenes of The Case for Christ

Featuring the testimony of the real life Lee Strobel, and testimonies of the cast members.

And The Movie of the Year Goes to...

Few movies inspire me to reflect on my life, my faith, and my purpose. The ones that do are instantly numbered among my favorites. The Case for Christ, a movie based on the book by the same title authored by Lee Strobel, has just moved to the top of my favorites list.

Released this past Friday, The Case for Christ follows the story of Lee Strobel, an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune, a self-described atheist, whose world is turned upside down when his wife converts to Christianity (while visiting Willow Creek Community Church, of all places).

In an effort to undermine his wife's faith (so life would go back to normal), Strobel draws on his investigative reporting skills to debunk Christianity. His target? The resurrection. His investigation uncovers facts and evidence that forces him to the conclusion he most feared.

In addition to riveting drama, the movie provides tons of ammo for the up and coming apologist.

I am not writing a movie review, but if I were, I would tout the movies true to life set that captured life in the 1980s (right down to the pull tabs on the beer cans), the superb acting by Mike Vogel and Erika Christiansen, the suspense building around the next steps in his investigation, a side-plot involving a police shooting, and the health of Strobel's infant son. And once again, I find that my life is missing a 1980 Camaro Z-28.

Seeing a man struggle against the pull to accept Christ as his savior hit home for me. Just as Strobel rebelled against God through intellectualism and alcohol abuse, so I ran from God into the bottle on many occasions. Just as Strobel resented his wife's faith, so resented I my wife's faith until the Lord finally broke me.

In seeing how the Lord took Strobel on his journey to faith, I am reminded of how God brought me through the valley of darkness to the mountain of faith. I am reminded of how God transformed me. I am reminded of the hope that dwells within me, and the purpose God has given me.

Strobel eventually left a prominent role with the Chicago Tribune to become a pastor, and currently serves at a church in The Woodlands, Tex. God has truly transformed him.

God has taken me from being a half-drunk country radio DJ to being a voice for truth in the Brown County, Tex., area. God has truly transformed me.

In addition to the introspection sparked by The Case for Christ, the movie also reminded me why I believe what I believe. Christianity is not superstition, nor is it an illogical emotional cult. Christianity is deeply rooted in fact, evidence, logic, and the resulting faith. And, the movie reminds us that, while it does take faith to fill in the blanks of the Christian faith, it takes an equal, if not bigger dose of faith to subscribe to atheism.

The Case for Christ gives us solid facts regarding the truth of the Gospel, and reminds us of how God transforms the non-believer into a child of God. For that, the movie earns 5-stars and movie of the year honors in my opinion. Too bad I don't get to vote on the academy awards.

God's Will for Man (The Point, Ep. 2)

In Episode 2 of The Point radio and podcast, I discuss how God created man in a special way, and the purpose God gave man. God handcrafted man, "formed" man, like a potter sculpts his creation. After forming us, and creating us in His image, God breathed into us the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

God gave us a special consciousness and an eternal spirit that was meant to mimic His creativity, intelligence and love. We were created to worship Him by choice, and to create and cultivate. We were created to fellowship with Him, and each other. Do we live up to that purpose?

Check out The Point, posted above, for a more in-depth study.

Newly Revamped "The Point" Launched On-Air and Online

After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to take "The Point," my theological radio show on News/Talk 102.3 KXYL, to the next level. I have produced a new intro and outro to the show, new theme music, and now I have added podcasting to the mix. From this point forward, all episodes of "The Point" will be made available on demand, and online.

In this first new episode, I begin a "through the Bible" series. I have attempted this many times in the past, and have yet to finish. Life and ministry tend to happen. All that notwithstanding, here goes another round.

Episode 1 deals with the pre-existence of God, His creation of the world, His authority over all creation, and His special love for mankind. I hope you enjoy.

Selma is a good movie (I know I'm late)

The struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is as old as life itself. Since the fall of man in the garden, man has fought to stay alive, yearned to follow the desires of his heart, and fought to improve his lot in life. This desire fueled the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, built the Roman empire, led the insurrections that ultimately brought down the Roman empire, and fueled the Renaissance and Reformation.

The desire for liberty and self-actualization sparked both the American and French revolutions, the Mexican Revolution, the Texas Revolution, and even the Civil War.

The desire to live safely, as one believes fit, and to advance one's station in life, is universal in every human being to walk the planet. A man born into slavery, a man born into absolute poverty, and a man born to privilege all share this same desire. No man is born without this desire, and this desire is foreign to no man.

The struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the demand for equal protection under the law, and the extension of dignity from society to African Americans were well articulated in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech to the Jobs and Freedom March in Washington DC in 1963. That speech was Dr. King's manifesto, his creed, and the foundation of his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. While Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech articulated the vision to bring equality and dignity to the African American people, his activism demonstrated those values.

Such came to a full head of steam in Selma, Ala., March 7-25, 1965. Dr. Martin Luther King, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, went to Selma to protest the immoral, if not illegal, denial of African Americans the right to vote. As demonstrated in the movie, Selma, if African Americans could not vote, they had no say in government, could not determine their own destinies, and could not qualify to sit on a jury. In a free country, African Americans living in the Deep South were little more than serfs living on a manor controlled by lords who hated them. (I know that's a strong statement, but it's true. I was born in the South, raised in the South, and there are a lot of things I love about the South, but I'm ashamed of it's Jim Crow history.)

In order to free African Americans from their serfdom, Dr. King knew they had to secure the right to vote. So, to raise awareness, to pressure Alabama officials to give them the right to vote, and to pressure Lyndon B. Johnson to push the Voting Rights Act, Dr. King led a march from Selma to Montgomery. Efforts to launch this march took weeks, and the march was attempted in his absence to devastating results.

Selma captures this. In addition to the historical accuracy of the film, Selma puts a human face on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. No one is bestowed sainthood, no one (outside of Gov. Wallace, the local sheriff, and the state police), is demonized. The movie even gave prominence to white people who went to Selma to march with Dr. King, chronicled their persecution, and noted how white participation in the movement, and recognition of the Civil Rights Movement was important.

The film also showed the human side of the Civil Rights Movement. While LBJ gets credit for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, the movie chronicles Johnson's reluctance to take up voting rights, his desire to control the Civil Rights Movement, and his surveillance of Dr. King's activities. While no one can dispute the wholesale changes Dr. King influenced in America, the movie also addresses his personal weaknesses, his moral failures, and the tension between he and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

The movie showed the Civil Rights Movement for what it was, and moreover, it showed us who we are, imperfect sinners struggling, vying for a better way, a better world, and a better life. It showed the struggle that man wages in an effort to better himself.

And for that honest depiction of who we were, who we are, and for what we strive, I say the movie Selma deserved more accolades than it received.

Spiritual Resolutions

New Year's is a benchmark. It's a snapshot day where we take stock in our lives, determine whether we are where we want to be, then resolve (i.e. make resolutions) to get to where we want to be. In reality, we could do this any day of the year, but the day that we take the 2016 calendars down, and hang 2017 calendars seems just as good a day as any to take stock in our lives.

Interestingly enough, when most Americans evaluate their lives and resolve to change, they tend to focus on their bodies and health. According to Google, the top searches regarding resolutions revolve around wellness, whether that be losing weight, exercising more, or eating right. Other top-ranked resolution searches involve enjoying life more, visiting loved ones more, and making career advances.

These resolutions are all well and good. Being healthy, enjoying life, loving others and advancing careers are all really great things. If we are to be honest, we are horrible at keeping these resolutions, but still, they are all worthy goals.

However, if we only focus on these things at New Year's, we miss the chance to truly inspect ourselves to see if we are where God wants us. Yes, taking stock of our physical lives and resolving to change is one thing. We'd be remiss if we neglected to take stock of our Spiritual lives.

The Aposle Paul wrote about this in Philippians 3:13-14:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul discussed how suffering not only identified him with Christ, but also helped him to understand the Lord more. Through suffering, he more fully understood the Lord's love and sacrifice. If suffering brought him closer to Christ, the Apostle Paul's attitude was, "Bring it!" His goal was to be as Christlike as possible, and he was willing to endure anything to get there.

So, in Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul discussed what it took grow Spiritually and to become more Christlike. It takes a willingness to forget those things which are behind, to reach forth to those things which are before, and to press toward the mark.

In setting New Year's resolutions, let's resolve to forget those things which are behind. Now, this doesn't mean to erase those things from memory. It simply means to let go of those things. Those things that are behind, the past, can be good or bad. The Lord wants us to let go of both.

God wants us to let go of the past hurts that we have endured, whether they came as the result of abuse, or unfortunate incidents. He wants us to trust Him to take vengeance on those who have hurt us. He wants us to have the faith to move on. Furthermore, the Lord wants us to trust that whatever hard times we have endured had a purpose, and that God's will worked through those times for our betterment.

God also wants us to let go of prior victories. Yes, there were good times in the past, but holding on to the good ole days may prevent us from enjoying future blessings. We need to be willing to move on from yesterday's revivals, baptisms, meetings, and building programs so that we can reach more people, thus sparking future revivals, baptisms, growth and building programs. This applies to us on a personal level as well.

As we release the things of the past, God wants us to reach forth to those things before us. Whether that is a new ministry He has called us to, or whether He has called us to repent from a sin in which we've become entangled. Reaching forth to those things that are before simply means moving forward in the way God has directed you.

For me, this means better time management, better attitude, and renewed commitment. For Grace Pointe, this means completing the new worship facility and going self-supporting.

For you, it may mean accepting the Lord as your Savior, or following God's call into ministry. It may mean kicking a bad habit, overcoming an addiction, or aligning your views with scripture. Whatever it is, God has already convicted you of it, and called you to make the change. Will you reach forth to what He has set before you?

As we do this, we will be pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So, as you set your New Year's resolutions, will you take stock of your Spiritual life? What do you need to release? What do you need to reach toward? What is it that God wants you to do this year? Answer those questions, then set your resolutions accordingly.