Christianity Today - March/April 2025

Here are a few articles I enjoyed (I notice articles often have 2 different titles - the one online and the one for the print issue. Below the print issue is in quotes and then the hyperlink title.)

Faithful Remnants or Growth is Good, Survival is Too - Sophia Lee - very informative article on the situation of preaching the gospel in Japan, one of the most unreached and small attendance of Christians in churches places in the world. 81% of churches have fewer than 50 attendees. 75% of pastors above age 60. Very people attending their seminaries. Nerima Church of God is making a difference and starting to see growth in young children attending. Muzuno Akiko pastored a church for 50 years in small mountainous community. 

"Justin Brierley Does the Unbelievable" or Justin Brierley Goes from Unbelievable to Re-Enchanting - Madeleine Darvies - good article on a apologetics guy that rose up in London at a time when many were leaving the faith. Engaged with people well and has a podcast. "Meanwhile, on Sundays Brierley can be found at the suburban United Reformed Church (URC) congregation led for almost 20 years by his wife, Lucy, who was already exploring a call to ordination when they met at Oxford." Desire to speak of renewal of the Christian faith. 

"Invasion Theology" - Andy Olsen - article about weeds and their mention in the Bible, but more specifically the weed Kudzu. History of this weed or vine and how it was promised to help farmers. 

"The Crux of Creation" or Easter is God's Story, Not Ours - Andrew Torrance - God's Story - contrasting the belief that (1) God's primary motive in creating the world and sending Jesus was out of his love for humanity and by extension, God's story is about us and our salvation rather than the truth that (2) God's love, glory, and eternal purposes take center stage, inviting us to find our true meaning and joy in Christ. -- God defines history, creation and we join Him in His story. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:36" This article contrasts ideas of "Centered on Us" versus "Centered on God" - looking at different ideas in life and how we might define them. I read this on the plane ride to Denver on my way to Oklahoma City on 4/19. The next morning for Easter service, the song, "The Love of God" was sung in church. That song seemed to have a focus on that central idea of God's love. 

Church Kitchens Get Chopped - Daniel Silliman - Church kitchens are not the thing anymore as churches are being designed without them. Women have entered the work force and so nobody to man them. 

"A Certain Faith" or Borrowing Faith When Doubt Creeps In - Stefani McDade - Uncertainty has marked the lives of God’s people for millennia.  “The Great De-churching,” with approximately 40 million former churchgoers no longer attending. “Past experiences with a religious institution” and “the hypocrisy of religious people” 2 common reasons. Deconstructing now an option for people. My husband seems to have a gift of faith. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "God has willed that we should seek and find his living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of a man. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself."

"A House Deconstructed" or Faith Torn Down to the Studs - Jen Pollock Michel - Son struggled with faith. Went online and found conversations which helped question it more. Deconstruction - once-standard commitments and convictions are taken down to the studs, like Michael Gungor, Joshua Harris, and Audrey Assad. In Toronto, where we raised our children. It was a rare environment, one Nathan credits for his courage to pursue truth wherever it led. At the end of every sermon, time was made—in a large sanctuary, crowded with hundreds of people—for an open question-and-answer period.

Christianity Today - September/November 2024

Here are a few articles from this issue I enjoyed. 

A Vision for Repair by Bonnie Kristian - I have really enjoyed reading Bonnie's book Untrustworthy. This article contrasts 'replace' and 'repair', and the consumerist tendency today is more on replacement. Online there are many videos about repair and yet she knows the repair is not as easy as the presentation shows - edits, retakes, mastering the repair first. An over-focus on replace can even lead to problems in relationships. People quickly punt rather than try to mend. And it isn't enough to talk about repair, which is common for right wing politics when political agendas have often been deconstructed. Even repair in the church is amiss. Thoughts: (1) Repair doesn't mean to stop moving forward. Redesigning may be necessary; (2) It isn't rejecting the new, but making a focus on restoration. It is: repair over replacement, resolve over resignation, conservation over chaos, staying over leaving, and building up over tearing down; (3) repair is sometimes not practical and we need to replace like in a marriage when one spouse is unwilling to resolve or change; (4) Sometimes you must repair parts and replace other parts. Remember God redeems, revives, recapitulates, and reconciles us -- 2 Cor. 5:16–21. 

Making Space for Yearners (Not None, not Done) by Daniel Taylor - People who live between fully committed and disbelief. Some say these are doubters, people taking a hard stance on them often to get over it and just believe. The mind vacillates (Ja 1:8 - double-minded) and choosing God and faith in God involves will. Committed yearners state faith though may have doubts. Uncommitted struggle committing despite belief in God. Mark 9 presents a man begging Jesus to heal his Son - “If you can” and Jesus heals as the father states, “Help me with my unbelief.” The rich young ruler was uncommitted prizing his wealth over following Christ. Modern example - poet Anne Sexton. She rowed toward God with God as the goal but never arriving. She attempted suicide often and then had success at age 45. We need to let people search. Listen to yearners sympathetically. Thomas in the Bible stayed committed even as he had doubts; Peter to a degree as well.  

The 'New Christian' Era (Some of Christianity’s Biggest Skeptics Are Becoming Vocal Converts) by Nathan Guy - In the 70s, with the Jesus Revolution, people accused of having subjective faith but now the shift is to intellectual Christian’s tethered more to cognitive knowledge. Consider A.N. Wilson, classmate of Richard Dawkins writing a book in 1991 against religion but in 2009 penned an article “Why I believe again?” What changed - working with those in poverty and seeing human qualities. Also Tom Holland, an avowed atheist but in 2016 wrote how he was wrong about Christianity. But not yet a believer in Jesus as Son of God. Also New Atheist thinker Ayaan Hirsi Ali in 2023 states she is now a Christian. Early part of 20th century saw a contradiction between suffering and pain and all powerful and loving God. Gave rise to secular humanism. 60s and 70s focused on individualism, sexual freedom and social liberation and then nihilism (no laws or institutions) of Seinfeld. Then Christian philosophers emerged. New focus on human dignity (all people have value and deserve respect). John Locke said an objective standard must be present. Humans rights are asserted but the ‘why’ behind them is often left out. 

Called to Kenya's Chinatowns - Reaching Chinese people in Kenya by Sophia Lee. And the story of a young man that eventually got commissioned to minister to the Chinese people. Some working long hours - 6am to 10pm 7 days a week and have no need for friends. Kenyans and Chinese don’t necessarily get along. President in China building tollways globally and then trying to collect tolls but no one uses them in Africa because they can't afford them.

Then an article called “Pastors Heart, Lawyers Mind” about a lawyer turned pastor in the United Methodist church that opposed Lesbian bishops and eventually helped start a new denomination in 2022 called the Global Methodist Church. He used humor and good sense to help persuade others. “There has to be a way Christians can disagree and separate” he said. Like Abraham and Lot, Paul and Barnabas.

Calling’s Dark Side (Calling is more than your job) by Steven Zhou about understanding one's calling; work is to a Christian discerning God’s plan for our lives. Career and calling may not be the same thing. And maybe calling is not on a grand scale but can be seen in smaller areas like a calling to write found in writing columns for the monthly church newsletter. And this discernment of calling and/or fulfilling it is not a condition for godliness. Callings may get sidetracked for a time but don’t give up on them. 

That Europe May Know (What it takes to plant churches in Europe) by Ken Chitwood about Global Church Network meeting in Zurich to add 100,000 pastors in the next 10 years. Assemblies of God, Pentecostal and Church of God, Foursquare, Nazarene and Wesleyan Church. But new churches often result in people leaving after a while. Need to do the hard work of developing relationships. We need to try meeting people where they are at, like starting a discussion in a pub; it is creating a space where people feel welcome. 

Surrender - Bono

My friend Bruce gave me this book for Christmas 2022. It is now December 2024 and well, I have finally finished. Here are a few thoughts chapter by chapter.

Chapter 1 - Lights of Home - Bono, lying in bed after having maybe a heart attack in 2017 and thinking about his dad who passed away. He mentions that before each performance that U2 prays together. He read Psalm 32 Tuesday on his deathbed. His dad didn’t wanna hear it.

Chapter 2 - Out of Control - Bono now takes himself back to his younger days, back to 1978 (born 1960) and mentions the song Out of Control written after he read Crime and Punishment and the acknowledgement we have nothing to say about our birth or death occurring.

Chapter 3 - Iris (Hold Me Close) - launches more into his growing up years with his mom, Iris, who passed when he was 14. And she didn’t get spoken of much after this by 3 males in the house (Da (Dad), brother and himself). She had a stroke. Died quickly after that. He writes songs to her but also maybe to his wife Ali (married since 1982). Mentions songs are prayers.

Chapter 4 - Cedarwood Road - was more about growing up and experiences with his father after his mom died. His dad singing voice and him learning to do things on his own. 

Chapter 5 - Stories for Boys - was more on his youth and how he got the name Bono, a childhood friend that is still friends today, Guggi, gave him the name and gives other people’s names as well. Mentions another friend with effiminate characteristics. Talks about his faith a little more and says everytime someone asks him to ask Jesus in his heart he does. He learned about faith from Guggi as well.

Chapter 6 - Song for Someone - was the band coming together. David Evans the Edge. Paul Hewson is Bono and talks about him meeting Ali which I think will be his wife. And then how Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen are a part of it as well.

Chapter 7 - I Will Follow - Started out by mentioning a painting in their house about Road to Emmaus. The year is about 1978 and they are starting rehearsals and trying to get signed to a record deal that includes getting a van for the band that they are having a hard time getting. He talks about food and eating and everyone’s eating habits. They found a place to practice near where his mom is buried. The song I will Follow is a suicide note about a kid wanting to find his mother even if she is already in the grave. Mentions the prodigal son story and the focus on the father not simply waiting but out looking for his son. Mentions the Shalom group he and his wife got interested in. Christian radicals. Practiced 1st Century Christian life. Mentions being in a coffee shop with NYT writer and being approached by rough guys that said they had mercy and didn’t attack his father.

Chapter 8 - 11 O'Clock Tick Tock - was a little all over place as I started it. Had a focus on Punk a little as the band was now starting to figure out a place to practice. Starts to mention them playing gigs and the response and the crowds, though not large. And trying to get a record deal, but people passing on them. And then they got a deal with Island records. They found a manger and agreed to go forward at 20% each which they still thought was a lot of money, but they need a manager. Paul McGuiness.

Chapter 9 - Invisible - was next up getting a producer and landing on Steve Lillywhite who is close to their age. It is 1980 but also moving into 1983. Chapter starts to talk about the concert experiences and people listening to them and the connecting they make with the audience, feeling privileged that people spend money. U2 is more of a punk band at this point. It moves into 1981 and their first US tour which is like 50+ shows and quick summary of experiences. Mentioned festivals in Europe and coming back home. Talk of manager and experiences with him on the road. Long chapter.

Chapter 10 - October. It starts off with Bono talking about his anger management issues and one time throwing Larry’s drum kit off the stage. Him and the Edge can get angry and duke it out at times. Mentions songs with a hymn like quality like New Year’s Day, Where Streets have no name and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. Talks about revival taking place in Dublin, a movement of Holy Spirit. He states he is a follower of Jesus Christ, but doesn’t like people preaching, thinking it should be done without words. Band was actually thinking of quitting as a band to pursue their faith in God and preach the Gospel. Started with the Edge then Bono. Larry was not happy but the manager told them they shouldn’t be breaking their contract. 

Chapter 11 - Two Hearts Beat as One - back in Ireland. Got married 8/31/82 (he 22, her 21). Adam Clayton best man - hoped it would make them closer. They honeymooned in Jamaica. Elaborate. Different from what they knew. He said they would always find home with each other. And then started writing songs for War.

Chapter 12 - Sunday, Bloody, Sunday - mentions the life of Larry growing up and loving drums and mom allowing him to grow his hair out which was unusual. Song about a day in 1972 in Ireland when a peaceful protest went tense and 14 people were killed. The song begins with pounding of drums. The politics though began to follow them. They cried this is not a rebel song - sung to continue the ill treatment of innocence. Some agreed and some did not. Problems erupted at home and they began to be confronted. Had John Hume (Irish politician) and David Trimble (northern Irish minister) onstage at same time.

Chapter 13 -  Bad - Brian Eno - island thought it crazy to have him work with U2. Met Bob Dylan backstage and he invited Bono for a game of chess. It’s the first time they felt like artists recording the Unforgettable Fire at Slane Castle.

Chapter 14 - Bullet the Blue Sky - visiting El Salvador and human rights issues with wife Ali. Went to the Pentagon in 2008 to talk of these atrocities.

Chapter 15 - Where the Streets Have No Name - 1985, Bono and Ali in Ajibar, Ethiopian famine (also the reason for LiveAid). Knock on Christian’s for not helping poor enough and being too focused on their own well-being. $250M resulted from LiveAid and other spin-offs. When he saw Live Aid footage all he could see was his mullet.

Chapter 16 - With or Without You - The relationship of Ali and Bono. They have a border collie call Joe. Ali not only lived with me, but with the poets I was reading. The making of the Joshua tree was a very exciting time or Bono could hardly sleep. Remembering Greg, Carol, who became a personal manager on the unforgettable fire tour in 1984. It was part of the group that was making this new album when he was killed on a motorcycle. The song one tree hill paid home edge to the time with Greg. He learned that he and Allie could be themselves around each other. She could never be known. There was some thing unfathomable about her. With or without you captured some of her dark beauty and our bittersweet duality.

Chapter 17 - Desire - The band moved to Los Angeles in1988. It has been a good place for them starting from a 600 person show to 80,000 later. he met Quincy Jones by way of his car driver. And then All got pregnant. He was partly afraid, and partly thinking his dad is alive, would laugh in his face. But All loved every part of Bono.

Chapter 18 - Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - now we were looking for a Music we had yet to hear. The due date  if their child was May 13, 1989. It was May 9 and she was in delivery and he felt helpless but he did hear the heartbeat of his baby slowing. Jordan Joy, Iris still water Hewson born on May 10th, also Bono’s birthday, a girl. Named after the river Jordan, the river of the gospel song, where the sweet chariot swings, low, and a band of angels are coming forward to carry me home. Her sister Eve was born a couple of years later. He then talks about his children and growing up with them at times, not being around. Being honest with them. Enjoying the discovery of them and who they are. He is also very thankful that he doesn’t ever have to worry about money. He’s thankful to the fans for that. Good chapter.  

Chapter 19 - Until the End of the World - it is 2022. He’s with Edge on a train from Poland to Ukraine. The war with Russia has begun and they are there to meet with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine who he met previously when he was an actor and comedian. This chapter takes a momentary detour to mention also meeting with Gorbachev and Chancellor Merkel.

Chapter 20 - One -  10/3/1990 arriving in Berlin to record Achtung Baby as the Berlin Wall has come down. They were recording in the historic place, and yet there’s songs we’re not yet crafted in the way they would like. The single man Edge asked out the waitress. He talks about some recurring dreams he has of his da. The song until the end of the world is about a conversation between Jesus and Judas. Love is blind. This came about from the edge and playing his guitar to the story of his marriage ending leaving three girls. He loves the mother, but can no longer make it work for each other. The song one talked about how people are more the same than they are different. There is a line about a son, telling his religious father he was gay. A line about a lover who has been discovered, finding sex outside of sexless marriage, and how she got there. We are one, but we’re not the same. Yet years later in 2008 while playing this song at the end of the show, he looks at his bandmates and wonders if we are all the same.

21 - The Fly - The fly was a song about a man’s libido, and how insignificant he is up against that libido. Spoke of David Bowie, England’s Elvis. Mentions meeting President Clinton before he was president in Chicago. Talk of Zoo TV and reality TV coming alive due to MTV show and also the experience of arena's and preferring that to an open field where sound of fans goes into the air. One thing Hitler did was set a stage with the Olympics of getting voices to reverberate.

Chapter 22 - Even Better than the Real Thing - Zoo TV Tour in Sydney, Australia for 2 nights and shooting footage there as well. Adam Clayton partied the night before and didn't show up the next day for the shoot and also would not be at the 1st night of the concert. This hadn't happened since one time in 1978. He was a wild person at times. His guitar tech subbed for him that evening.

Chapter 23 - Mysterious Ways - Song was about the gender of God, as Bono muses that God could be feminine. And the chapter retells the story of women in general and all of their mysterious ways and beauty. Mentions super models and particularly Naomi Campbell and her impact as a woman of color. Also mentions their managers and the impact of many women in their organization as a band.

Chapter 24 - Stuck in a Moment - Refers to suicide and specifically Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS, who Bono was friends with. They mused together in their friendship one time about Kurt Cobain. Michael took his life in 1997 after wondering why Kurt did in 1994 thinking Kurt just needed to move by the moment (stuck). Interesting line about the song he wrote "Hold Me, Thrill me, Kiss Me, Kill me" how if you don't die on a cross at 33, people start asking for their money back. [This is my favorite chapter.]

25 - Wake Up Dead Man - Describes how U2 is a band that is constantly evolving instead of duplicating the same sound from the previous albums. Pop album was supposed to an exploration album in staying current with popular music, but it didn't. No top 10 hits. Also came to realize that just putting out anything would now get extreme praise, but still concerned they lost momentum. Wake Up Dead Man could be addressed to Jesus in the tomb or it could be my bandmates ode to Me (Bono).

26 - The Showman - Being an artist is about showmanship. Also about deception and he reminisced about meeting and singing with Frank Sinatra and how he knew Sinatra by his songs. Also, how Pavarotti wanted to do a song with them and incessantly asked and then what ended up, "Miss Sarajevo" was Bono felt one of the best songs as the focus was also not on him. The year is 1996.

27 - Pride (In the Name of Love) - March, 1999 walked into the oval office singing the cry of antipoverty walking in a T-shirt and black combat pants. Bono trying to convince the president to have the richest countries pay for the debts of the forest. Buy those riches countries just writing off the debt. It could all start by the turn of the century January 1, 2000. Jubilee 2000 would take care of all of this as jubilee in the Bible meant a year of the Lord‘s favor. Jewish tradition every seventh cycle of seven years you must write off peoples debts and release them from their bondage. Bono also had opportunity to speak to the Pope about it and by the end of the chapter Clinton had any fact forgiven the debt which meant probably 50 million children would be able to have food.

28 - Beautiful Day - This chapter is about his da and his relationship with, their friendship and his dad coming to see a show in 1985 for the first time in Houston, then announcing he has cancer in 1995. Bono made an interesting remark about the seasons of marriage - friendship, passion, co-parent, raising kids - and then hopefully back to being a friend.

29 - Crumbs from your Table - This song title is in reference to how hard Bono has to work to get money out of the government, and that money is simply crumbs for the table to them, almost like their petty cash even though it represents millions of dollars.

30 - Miracle Drug - This chapter continues Bono's theme of activism and now moves into 2001 when George Bush is now president. He talks about it being different and harder to get into the White House to speak to someone. His agenda is AIDS and makes the comment that the republican's and even church people don't give much credence to it like other problems. He gets in with John O'Neill and has good conversations and then he is gone. He is concerned about the people that are suffering, like those in Botswana where it is said to have impacted 30% of the population. Mentions someone named Anne who is at a hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, a hospital where people are just waiting to die and yet she is there, with a spunky and positive attitude. He finally makes strides with Condoleezza Rice and ends up at a news conference of sort in which the government will give $5 Billion in relief money and he announces this with Bush, though his left wing people think he's a traitor for siding with Bush, concerned about the other motivations people have. Also brings up Rupert Murdoch and the beginning of Fox News, a non-liberal based news service that would be the beginning also of the ascension of Donald Trump. Again, tough words towards the right. They go on tour and Agnes, a Ugandan nurse who tested positive for AIDS comes along and speaks. Then in 2003, the President, George W. Bush, at the State of Union of address commits $15 billion over the next 5 years (PEPFAR) to fight AIDS. Bono gets impatient with Bush when it doesn't happen quickly, but eventually the amount will grow to $100 billion.

31 - Vertigo - 2004. Was in Dublin with friend and actor Cillian Murphy. He made a comment that their lyrics are not about real love and real life since One Tree Hill. But I told him I have to write where I am at now and in Vertigo I'm writing about us, to you and me. Then chapter switched to conversation with Steve Jobs and and designing a new iPod and U2 representing the iPod; they hitched a ticket on the Apple ride to infinity and beyond. AIDS Activism continued in 2006 with (RED). It started in 2002 and continued with the goal to end poverty. Later hospitalized in 2020 for back issues when he received a hand written note from Jobs and his wife Laurene. Then Jobs passed away in 2011.

32 - Ordinary Love - Remember 2014 Oscars playing this song, part of Mandela movie. Mandela locked up in a cell for 27 years found greatness through reading. Result of working a limestone quarry cost him tear glands and the ability to cry. Summer of 2001 fashion and music converged in Barcelona - "Frock 'n' Roll." 2005 London Trafalgar Square speech by Mandela. "Poverty is man-made." Talk of working on anti-poverty campaigns. There is wealthy in Africa despite the portrayal globally its poor. Africans have more mobile phones. Nollywood in Nigeria makes more movies. The problem with COVID relief and vaccinations was often the rich countries bought up the supplies. He prays with bishop Desmond tutu and wonders how he has time to pray as to two remarks prayers of passage way for everything in life. He speaks to Kader Asmal of the African National Congress in 1998 about the slow progress in South Africa of getting out of poverty with an example of not achieving a goal of South Africa administration of providing running water to everyone within 300 feet and the irony of seeing sprinklers going off in lush areas of the city.

33 - City of Blinding Lights - It is January 2009 and Obama is becoming the next president. Bono has grand words to say of Obama. The chapter song title is a song Obama used when announcing his presidency. He sees America as a great idea of a country, a song yet to be finished. He does not have kind words to say of outgoing George W. Bush as Obama will rewrite history now. Obama's turn as president will be soulful. Mentions Trump who begins his campaign of lies. Bono tried to engage but Trump will never admit when he's wrong, but he isn't the problem, populism is the problem. Obama's fight for healthcare was for the pursuit of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Obama added $52 billion to Bush's $18 billion for his AIDS work, continuing his predecessor's legacy. Obama's were invited friends. Talks of wine and how he is allergic.

34 - Get Out of Your Own Way - getting picked up at airport by Paul McCartney as he presented him MTV legends award. Speaks of music business and problem of signing music label contracts and giving up rights to music. Better to take less royalties in the beginning. Money breaks up bands. Look out for each other was their philosophy including having everyone get equal songwriting credits. His friendship with Bill and Melanie Gates and Warren Buffett family and singing at Susie Buffets funeral. 

35 - Every Breaking Wave - Jackson, one of two dogs, is dying. I hate goodbyes. Paul McGuiness, manager in 2013 departs. Recollects Seamus Heaney poem "Scaffolding" and line "all comes down when the job's done." Read William Blake results in Songs of Innocence (2014) and Songs of Experience (2017). New manager is Guy Oseary till 2022. Talks of Love Songs.

36 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Impact of Jimmy Iovine (white man) recording black gospel group New Voices of Freedom in Harlem. Recording "I Still Haven't Found..." song and will play at Madison Square Garden with the Harlem group. Trying to figure out in 1987 how life is about constant refreshment - dying and being reborn. Black church music feels more honest. This song is about that quest and not arriving and this is how he sees faith, ever a journey not an end. While hypnotized, for his voice problems, he says the place he feels safest and strongest is walking along a river with his best friend Jesus. Then later at the Jordan River 30 years and everyone in his family jump in. Sees baptism as submerging into death to find new life. Metaphor constantly used in Scripture to help us understand God. Joshua Tree took the band to a whole new kind of success. Remembers time Johnny and June Cash and their visit with him in 1987. Similar initials to Jesus Christ. Johnny prayed for the meal when they visited and it was very poetic. They had a zoo at their house. Asked him to sing on a song in 1993. June preceded Johnny in death by 4 months. Says the cross is the horizontal reaching out to the community and the vertical rooting our heady dreams into solid ground.

37 - Love is Bigger than Anything in Its Way - It is 2018, his son, an artist is on stage, engaging in theatrics on the stage. He is comfortable in his own skin with a fainting stunt. Then at a rugby match watching 16 year-olds remembering his child coming into the world, realizing one day are children will be looking out for us. In 2000, there was a discovery that his cousin Scott was actually his brother, that his father and auntie Barbara - family secrets -- doesn't everyone have them? On stage in Berlin in 2018, and seeing each band member individually but also who they are as part of the whole. U2 is an unfinished song. Recollects that the best albums are the hardest to complete. It is when you stop fighting that you stop functioning. Recollects on the Apostle Paul, someone who overcame himself, and he finds inspiration. Recites I Corinthians 13. There is no promised land, only a promised journey. Thinking about God. Hopes he is with those who live comfortable lives, but he knows he is with the poorest and most vulnerable.

38 - Moment of Surrender - Wife (Ali) at one of their favorite restaurants, in Nice - La Petite Maison in 2016. He has never liked fireworks. But those weren't fireworks, but a Tunisian driving a lorry into the crowds, taking 86 lives. Surrender is powerful word as we surrender to each other, love, maybe a higher power; it is at the heart of many faiths, "Not my will, but..." This song came from photographs and one was of a man falling to his knees in the street, bottoming out (per AA). In surrender we realize that we are not in charge. And Bono is aging and seeing that the last 3rd of his life looks a lot different from his 1st and the ideals are different. The drive to achieve. He loves the story of Elijah who is told to wait on the voice of God and what comes is a still small voice. He remain a singer, continuing to dream.

39 - Landlady - The only conversation now is with me and my Maker. Lying in bed. Seeing his wife, lying there and his camera light shining on her face, reminding him that this is his life and the reason for his journey. He wants to learn how to be home, to be still, and surrender.

40 - Breathe - This is my heart. I am ready to take my first breath. And...I will sing, sing a new song. How long to sing this song?

I remember going to Natural Sound on Eubank Blvd in Albuquerque, south of Candelaria and buying U2, War. August 10, 1982 is when I gave my life to Christ. But this was 1983. Music had already been a huge part of my life. My first record I remember buying was Shaun Cassidy, from his self-titled album in 1976 when I was 9. Tom Faerber across the street, my best friend's older brother, was into classic rock and turned me onto it as well: AC/DC, Scorpion's, Deep Purple, Krokus, Rush, Rainbow, the Kinks, April Wine, the Cars and my trips to Natural Sound were plentiful. Sometime later in 1982 my mom purchased me a ticket to Resurrection Band and Jerusalem at Kiva Auditorium and later in 1983, I took all of those secular records and trashed them, deciding my listening ears needed only holy sounds. U2's War was being played on the Christian radio station, KLYT. And this record, I still remember was a sound that I had never experienced and Psalm 40 quickly became my favorite bible passage.

I really enjoyed this walk through Bono's life.

Self-Control

So today, my friend mentioned to me that he has disabled Facebook on his phone and deleted his account. He remarked that it has become an idol in his life and he doesn't want anything to do with it. 

This isn't the first time he has done this. He has made decisions like this before, previously getting rid of a smart phone altogether or deleting accounts. As he mentioned it this time, I thought of self-control. It is spoken of in the Bible. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit. And in 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Self-control is also translated sound mind. 

Here's my point. I'm wondering at times how much we give God an opportunity to work in our life. Does my friend really need to disable and delete his Facebook account or does he rather need to learn to submit and surrender to God and say "Yes" to Him and "No" to those things that entangle him? I mean, would that not be allowing the Spirit of God to do a work in his life and give him (the Holy) spirit working of self-control in his life. By deleting Facebook, where does self-control now have a chance to succeed in his life? 

It is like these internet screening services or programs program that get installed on phones or for browsing. Doesn't this take the work of God and His power out of our life? How is self-control going to be manifested if we force remove our ability to sin? 

I don't know, sometimes I wonder if we are pushing the Holy Spirit out of his role in our life by setting up all of these safeguards so we really don't have to trust God. I mean, when was the last time you had to go without a meal because you couldn't afford it. So what sort of meaning really is "Give us this day our daily bread." 

Circle people around in a room and ask for prayer requests. #1 item that comes up are medical needs in America. Why? Because we've taken care of everything else in our lives. We've taken over control of everything else. But health continues to attack us despite our best efforts to have good jobs, nice homes, safe cars. And so for those reasons it is "God, help!" And the crazy thing is I don't even see these types of prayers often in the Bible. There are not many prayers in the Bible for better health, but instead the prayer is to accept what you have been given. It just feels like we are no different from those folks following Jesus around, just wanting to see him do a miracle when he just wants to share His eternal truth to us about having eternal life and living with him. But we are so fixated instead with what is in front of us. 

I just wonder. What are we doing? Are we taking God out? Are we giving the Holy Spirit a chance to work in us? I mean, wouldn't it be a greater testimony to say what we did is decided to trust God and allow His Spirit to work. "I got out of the way and God gave me the Self-control He promised to give me." That sounds better than I removed something from my phone or I added something that prevents me from going to a site.  

Growing up on Bellehaven Court

I grew up living at 1705 Bellehaven Ct, the first house I remember, my folks moving there when I was approaching the age of 2. We stayed there till the summer of 1977 when at age 9, almost 10, we moved up to 1194 Bobcat Blvd. It was a move to the heights to a house my dad had built by Mr. Kaplan. But those 7 years at Bellehaven Court (feels longer) were a great experience. I guess my big memories from there are:

• Christmas morning getting the pinball machine. It wasn't the fancy one from the arcade but one my folks got for us anyway. 
• Cooking with my mom in the kitchen. 
• Playing with T in our play room. 
• My dad saying, "The wind is my friend."
• Staying home from school and watching "Dialing for Dollars" on TV which was the afternoon showcase of movies. 
• Playing 500 game with the kids on the street, at the end of the cul-de-sac. 
• Getting babysat by all of the Reynold's kids, but mostly Mark and then Brian and I think their sister one or two times. The Reynolds moved across the arroyo to a bigger house. Seemed like a dream house to me. They had a shaggy dog. I was probably 5 when they moved from their house next door. 
• Throwing rocks at the car with T and then getting punished by taking a bath. Car wash drying by my dad. 
• Visits by the Jewel man, sitting on my mom's lap or next to her. 
• Watching my mom put on her cosmetics in her bathroom. 
• Birthday party in the garage with all of the neighborhood kids. 
• Spending the night at Don's across the street and having Mrs. Faerber kissing me good night. 
• Hanging out in Cindy and Missy's little house in their backyard. 
• Cherry tree next door. And in Faerber's back yard.
• Mr. Weeks and AB's visits. 
• Playing hockey in our driveway. 
• Putting my pillow in the freezer to get it cold.  

Well, just thought I'd start making a list of memories on Bellehaven growing up. 

New Atheism - A Survival Guide by Graham Veale - Chapters 1 and 2

New Atheism - A Survival Guide by Graham Veale

Chapter 1 - How to Slay a Spaghetti Monster -  Atheists are good at ridiculing the Christian's position of faith. They use this tactic all-to-often making it laughable that anyone would be a person of faith. They start with this and then take marks at certain points of faith, but they start with belittling the subject. They present that no rational human being would have a belief in God equating belief in God to a piece of pasta.

[In this world of tolerance it is interesting that the persecution of the church is rampant, possibly because people of faith put forth a division of secular-spiritual, Christian-non-Christian dichotomy of sorts. The world seems to be bent on the idea that all spiritual people are the same and to that end being religious is now an affront to this type of thinking. The world thinks that it is okay to be religious as long as everyone believes the same thing and religion is kind to society's ideals.]

Dawkins claims that since there is no rational evidence of God then the default belief holds true - atheism.

We are physical beings living in a physical universe, so does our knowledge of this universe rule out any transcendent and non-physical entities or is agnosticism (definition: existence of God unknowable) the only sensible conclusion? 

History teaches us to prefer simple explanations or hypothesis. Theism seems to be a simple hypothesis teaching that one God with limitless power is the foundation for everything that exists. It's not only simple but this explanation explains something about our universe. And theism seeks to explain things about the purposed activity in our universe -- why good and evil are real and present and the reason for suffering. Therefore, saying that the Flying Spaghetti Monster or a fairy tale or ghosts are an accurate comparison is incorrect because those things don't purport to define our universe.

Chapter 2 - Science falls into a Gap - Only a few heed the call by a prophet. When Moses parted the red sea, only a remnant followed him. In movies, a scientist often follows this path. In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a scientist (Richard Dreyfus) investigates UFO's; he sees something that others don't and comes upon a small relic of people gathering together to witness this encounter from aliens (not of this world). 

Why the shift in Hollywood and society to the scientist? The scientist became the problem-solver. Engineers and inventors brought about the machine, replacing the power of man and beast (horse) and the notion was that science rather than man began to answer more and more of our questions. Yet, science was still a product of man and didn't disprove religion; many saw it making religion unnecessary and atheism loved this.  

Scientism or Dogmatic Scientism is the belief or worldview that physical science answers every question or every eventual question. Scientism is more akin to philosophy than scientific theory. However, there is a difference between saying "science answers questions" and "science answers every question." Literature, history and philosophy teach that science does not explain everything.

•     Are people only products of their environment, their genetics and life experiences? 
•     Can people be held accountable for their actions? 
•     Are we agents or persons that have purposes and can act on them or are we only products?

Science is impersonal. It is based on observation and as events occur, there is measurement of how events follow other events and this in turn helps explain events. For example, in determining Mars' (the planet) current location, there is the study of the solar system and where planets reside and also the law of gravity - to conclude and explain the location of mars. Yet people (agents) are personal, are  individuals and we don't observe one person's actions to then explain another person's actions or movements. 

Yet, some do think humans are not agents but instead a product of genetic nature, of a person's environment, and of a person's life experience. There is no choice in behavior, but rather events happen and as they do, we react and act. But, then how can a person be held accountable for their actions? 

An example of this comparison - scientific explanation vs personal explanation is from the movie Iron Giant about a robot that, sent to our planet to attack it but upon its arrival, hurts its skull and thus wipes out its programming.  A boy, Hogarth, who finds it, tries to hide it from the paranoid government but eventually the government catches up to the giant. In the struggle, Hogarth is knocked unconscious, but the giant thinks the boy is dead and this triggers his programming and he attacks those trying to seize him. Now the giant follows its programming to attack the planet. Then Hogarth comes back into the giant's life and tells him "You are who you choose to be!" The giant flies into an incoming missile, kills himself, but saves his friend and his friend's planet. So at one point the giant is at the mercy of his programming, but once he interacts with a human, the Giant acts as an agent and not a machine. 

God-of-the-Gaps

Thus far:

scientific explanations - explain events by appealing to impersonal laws and objects

agent explanations - appeal to the purposes and abilities of persons

Dawkins said in the past we appealed to religion to explain events we did not know about but now we can get answers solely from science because science defines and governs nature. Science explained God away. 

Think of Princess (Lady) Diana and the possible reasons for her death (car accident in an underpass by the River Seine) in 1997. Diana at the time was dating a Muslim man. British conservatism was horrified by their courtship. Both die in the crash. Complex conspiracy theories gave way to a simple explanation of a tragic accident. The evidence is complex and starts to seem irrational. In the first chapter, we said if a complex theory can be avoided it should be. 

After research, the conclusion was the driver had been drinking a lot, the passengers (Lady Di and boyfriend) were not wearing seat belts and the driver was trying to escape the paparazzi and drove dangerously. Thus, the hypothesis explains away the need for a complex conspiracy theory.

New Atheists believe that science now explains away any evidence for the existence of God. For example, Newton said God guaranteed the predictable order of the planets, but then LaPlace showed we don't need this hypothesis. William Paley believed that God designed the body plans of complex organisms, but Darwin could do this without divine tinkering. 

Key thought -- One explanation can explain another away only when the two explanations are incompatible. 

But theism and science are not incompatible. Our universe is ordered by a rational agent and the science proves this. In the example of Lady Di, the conspiracy theory speaks of the power of the media, but this helps to understand why the accident took place. Thus, they work together, and are not incompatible. Theism and science are compatible because theism encourages us to seek laws and mechanisms out; they are not in conflict.  

Explaining the Bloodlands

Hitler wanted to eliminate the Jews of Europe. Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, wanted to eliminate Jews. He set up Belzec, in Poland, not as a concentration camp, but an extermination camp, where hundreds of thousands were transported to the gas chambers and die within a few hours of arrival. Himmler's opportunism does not explain away Hitler's responsibility for the Holocaust, rather they confirm it.

---- April 2023 -- I finally finished this book. Never did post this summary and obviously wish I would have done a summary on each chapter, but going ahead and submitting this. 

Life Quandry

Pamela mentions yesterday morning that she has no motivation to get her notes completed. I said that I think we are having mid-life crisis issues. Hard to just keep it all going. Kids leave the house. And it is sort of - what next. Our job as parents seems complete. Granted, problems still present. But those frequent trips to the soccer field, drill team performances are gone. Eating in the dining room is now mostly occurring when there are more than 2 present, otherwise we are parked in front of the TV. I find myself looking forward too much to sporting events (btw #SicEm). Nothing has changed with my wife - still love her and savor every moment with her. Still love God and every moment with Him. I still love opportunities to be with people and talk about life. But some of the other routines of life just don’t have the same drive. Getting a promotion at work changed little. I’m sure there are a lot of good words that could be said right now about all of this. I find I leave work, go home, and sit. I have in my mind tons of projects to do and don't get them completed. 

Pains are more frequent. Feet, arm now, toe, back can swell up. I love to read but don't read enough. I am 54 now and start to think that the next 20 years will probably be it for me and then I will probably start being in a place where my body just won't keep up. That's hard to accept. 

Meanwhile, donuts have been tasting a lot better lately.

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

Chapter 1 - The Cry for a Kingdom Man

There are not just 2 teams represented on the football field, but 3. The third team is the referees. There would be confusion and no way to play football as we know it without the referees. Their authority is according to a rule book. If the official rules not according to the rule book authority is lost. Jesus has not asked me to simply be a fan, but cry to the officials to rule well, or in other words want God to rule according to His principles. Thus, there is a cry out there for a fan, a kingdom man.

The Greek word for kingdom in the New Testament is basileia meaning 'authority and rule.' The kingdom has 3 institutions that work together: family, church, and civil government. The authority of the ruler is key and Satan desires to reducing his authority, albeit subtly, by diminishing his name. God in relation to Adam in the garden was called Lord God, but Satan, in speaking to Adam and Eve simply said God. Thus, we men must put Lord back in God's name as this recognizes man's rightful relation to God.

God told the Israelites to come before him 3x a year to receive instructions and he referred to himself as Lord, GOD, God of Israel. He was in charge to the third power.

In 2009, Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III made a heroic decision to land US Airways Flight 1549 on Hudson river with 2 engines out and to avoid a disaster. His 4 decades of training brought him to the point of being able to do this. 2 years later, a 25 year old woman loaded up her 4 children, the first of which she had at the age of 15, and drove them straight into the freezing water of the Hudson. 1 boy escaped. Perhaps it was the father(s) of these children, not just the woman, who was often involved in altercations with the mother and was arrested and not paying child support that also played a major role in the demise of 4 people. One man operated with responsibility while another did not.

Like it or not, man is called to rule. God did not speak to Eve when she sinned, he spoke to Adam because Adam was ultimately responsible. We are called not simply to rule though, but to rule by the rule book (The Word of God; the Bible).

Chapter 2 - The Concept of a Kingdom Man

The stats: 70% of all prisoners, 80% of all rapists with anger problems, 71% of all high school dropouts, and 63% of all teen suicides occur in homes where the father is either absent or abusive. There is real pain, real emptiness, real longing, real anger, real loss, and real need because of absent or abusive fathers.

Tony Evans' father accepted God's salvation when Tony was 10 and his father immediately became an evangelist. His mother did not like her husband as a sinner, and even less as a saint, but he chose to love her unconditionally and swarmed her with kindness until eventually she wanted what he had. A father's impact can be dramatic.

Many men today are trying, consulting different helps and aids, but they must define manhood by the complete Word of God. A referee must govern by the entire rule book, not just parts. The Greek word for kingdom is mentioned 162 times in the New Testament. A kingdom man is a man who positions himself and operates according to the comprehensive rule of God over every area of his life. 

This book, like many, are reminders. We need them because our world daily distracts us with its messages and our natural sinful nature distracts us. Suddenly then, we are ineffective. Like Adam, I am to be responsible for my wife, for my family. Satan wants to be charge in our world. Adam, through his silence (passive living), let Satan take charge.

[I've noticed that besides being a policeman, primarily to my boys, when I didn't see them step up to the plate of responsibility toward their school work and life chores, what I have said or spoken to my sons? Have I really trained them?]

It is not enough to be busy all the time. Sports, pornography, can all be attempts to project oneself into another arena when you don't want to deal with yourself. A man can live vicariously through other people, wishing he were them or had them - in so doing he loses touch with his manhood. Then, as man goes to relate to his wife, he defaults to wanting to simply control her [I have done this often in controlling and hovering over the spending money of my wife].

The author in his family will often hold up 3 fingers to express to his family members, "I've got it." In other words, he communicates that he will take responsibility of a situation. As he does this, everyone else calms down and is free to rest. This is similar to what God says to us with concepts in His word such as don't worry, trust Him, pray, depend on Him.

Remember, ultimately that God and His Word "Has it." Make decision by seeking God and His Word. God says, "I've got it."

Chapter 3 - A Man's Call to Greatness

Men everywhere want to be great. Generally, more men than women are at sporting events. There is a tug in man's heart to be the victor, to come out on top. It is men that gravitate towards wearing the MVP's jersey on their back. There is a prize with men in having a beautiful woman on their arm, for all the world to see. Women often fantasize about relationships, men often about greatness. The Apostle Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "excel still more", the Corinthians to always abound in the work of the Lord, and to seek greatness in all that they did for the glory of God.

What was key about Moses and his ministry was his meekness, or his willingness to submit and surrender himself to God. John 14:12 - Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do. Meanwhile, the world has switched the price tags on what is great, instead saying that fame and fortune is what is important and integrity and a high moral character is not as important.

Like a punter on a football team, that many can't name, I need to be great, not just for my own benefit, but to benefit the team. Man gets great by serving others, thus reflecting Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life (Matt 20:28). I am to reflect Jesus and His light.

Chapter 4 - The Power of One Real Man

The story of Shamgar in the Bible. He lived in the time of the judges when every man did what he thought was right in his own sight. Shamgar struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. Chances are Shamgar was an ordinary man, a farmer, trying to provide for his family. An oxgoad was a farming tool used to prod an ox along when it became sluggish. Why did he rise to prominence? Not sure. But he was just a farmer, so at the right time, he knew he had to do something.

Don't make excuses. Don't wait until you are a big shot to do big shot things. God can use you right now; you don't need to wait for the next big thing in your life for you to do something.

We tend to want the results without having to do the leg work, but often we have to start small to get big results later. Sometimes that means getting started with something small, to get the ball rolling. Make the most of where you are. Few will take the small steps necessary to achieve greatness.

We live by the definitions God has given us through his Word. God can make you great. My background and my current standing does not determine my purpose. 

Note: I did finish this book in September 2020, but I didn't continue to summarize the chapters. 

Knowing God - Chapter Eleven (11) - Thy Word Is Truth

Reading - Knowing God - Chapter Eleven (11) - Thy Word Is Truth

2 facts about triune Jehovah in every single bible passage:

1. He is King - He is absolute monarch (king, sovereign) of the universe, he orders all its affairs, he works out His will in all that happens within it
2. He Speaks - He utters words that express his will in order to cause it to be done

Rulers will speak and (1) enact regulations and laws that will directly determine the environment (judicial, fiscal, cultural) which his subjects reside. And rulers will (2) make public speeches to evoke from his subjects support and cooperation in the things he is doing. In the Bible, God is king and we are His subjects. 

His word relates both to things around us (creation - "Let there be") and providence. His word relates to us directly or personally as His word takes the form of royal Torah or law or instruction. Torah is:

1. Law - commands, prohibitions with sanctions (penalties/rewards)
2. Promise - either favorable or unfavorable, conditional or unconditional
3. Testimony - information about God himself and people - their acts, purposes, natures and prospects (their future)    

God knows all about us before we say anything (Ps 139:1-4); we only know about Him when He tells us. 

The word of God is met in the first 3 chapters of the Bible. It is here, amidst an earth lying waste, empty of life, and dark that God speaks, "let there be..." 7 times (vv. 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). 

God then speaks to the man and woman directly and fellowship between God and them is inaugurated. And the categories into which God's utterances to them in the rest of the story fall: 

1. God's first word to them is a word of command to fulfill humankind's vocation of ruling the created order (Gen 1:28).
2. Then follows testimony in which God explains green plants, crops, and fruits made for humans and animals to eat (Gen. 1:29) 
3. Next a prohibition with sanction (penalty) attached (Gen. 2:17)
4. Then after the fall God gives them words of promise - favorable and unfavorable - that the woman's seed shall bruise serpent's head, he ordains for Eve grief in childbirth, for Adam frustrating labor, and for both certain death (Gen. 3:15-19) 

Thus, in these first 3 chapters all the categories of relationship between God's word and his creatures is uttered and for the rest of the Bible these will be reiterated and confirmed. Thus, the whole Bible insists that the word of God determines all circumstances and events in the world. 

But, we believe not merely because He tells us, but primarily because it is a true word. 

• He is "the God of truth" (Ps 31:5; Is 65:16)     
• He is "abounding in truth" (Ex 34:6)
• His "truth reacheth unto the clouds" (Ps 108:4, 57:10); it is limitless
• Therefore, "His word is truth" (John 17:17), "All your words are true" (Ps 119:160) 
• He cannot lie (Tit 1:2, Num 23:19, I Sam 15:29, Heb 6:18)

To work this out further, we look at two connections. 

1. God's commands are true. "All your commands are true" (Ps. 119:151) 

a. They have stability & permanence - setting forth what God wants to see in human lives in every age

b. They tell us the unchanging truth about our own nature  

i. Shows us what we were made to be

ii. Teaches us how to be truly human

iii. Warns us against moral self-destruction  

Our bodies are like machines. We need the right routine of food, rest and exercise to run efficiently. If filled with the wrong fuel -- alcohols, drugs, poison -- we lose the power of healthy functioning and may seize up entirely in physical death. 

Our souls were made to bear God's image, to run on worship, law-keeping, truthfulness, honesty, discipline, self-control, and service to God and one another. To abandon these is to progressively destroy our soul whereby conscience atrophies, sense of shame dries up, one's capacity for truthfulness, loyalty, and honesty is eaten way, one's character disintegrates -- overall one dehumanizes. 

Today, the argument is the Bible is puritanical (strict/rigid in morality) and what is needed is more license (permission to do or not do) for richer living. This makes us a brute (nonhuman) for we are only truly human laboring to keep God's commandments.  

2. God's promises are true, for God keeps them. "He who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23)

a. The Bible proclaims God's faithfulness; He is a covenant-keeping God

b. The promises of God are the proper, God-given basis for all our life of faith and the way to strengthen one's faith is to focus upon particular promises that speak to one's condition.

What is a Christian?

- True Christians are people who acknowledge and live under the word of God.

For a Christian, 

the Word of God has 

- convinced them of sin, and

- assured them of forgiveness

their whole life is to be brought into line with it.

God's word goes forth to (1) create, (2) control, and (3) order things around them. 

The Word of God acts as a touchstone to test the various views that are put to them and nothing will be touched unless the Scripture sanctions it.