Ashamed of the Gospel

As an ordained Presbyterian pastor, I respect that my colleagues and I differ on a great many topics. I expect that. What I do not expect is a flat out denial of traditional, orthodox, reformed Christian beliefs. Such is sadly the case with a Presbyterian pastor in Austin, Texas, Jim Rigby. In this article, he justifies the reasons why his church allowed an avowed atheist to join. This article follows one published by said atheist, Robert Jensen, originally posted, I think, in the Houston Chronicle, and now online at Counterpunch, here. (Please, no comments on the last awkward sentence, I am grading papers.)

Of course, I am heartened that anyone would want to join a church community, but it seems obvious to me that a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is primary to an official joining. I love when people hang around the church. Checking it out. Trying to find some answers and a place to belong. I can understand a seeker, but Jensen does not appear to me to be seeking. Rather, he is making, along with the church, a political point about inclusion.

To actually join a church and deny its central teaching about Jesus Christ, and for the church to be open and affirming about this, well, that's beyond the pale. It reminds me of the old saw about people being so open minded that their brains fall out!

That some of my colleagues in ministry actually believe this is OK, much less good, saddens me a great deal.

A Little Thanks is Due

Good news this morning from Iraq. Three of the kidnapped meambers of the Christian Peacemaker Team, who been kidnapped in November, were reportedly rescued by Coalition forces. This is according to a report by Reuters, here.

It is interesting that according to the CPT press release, that the captives were "released". This seems to portray the gracious gesture of the captors, rather than a military rescue effort by the Coalition. This is very odd.

Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad. Christian Peacemaker Teams rejoices with their families and friends at the expectation of their return to their loved ones and community. Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad.

Indeed, it is a joyous day for the freedom for the three members of the CPT that had been held hostage for many months. Months of uncertainty, months of anguish for loved ones, months of prayer for their safety and eventual freedom.

I loved the post at the NRO Corner this morning, that the SPT press release could not even give the Coalition forces a "thank you" for the rescue before condemning them. Geez, you would think that a little thanks would be forthcoming. Even if it were not politically correct, nor supportive of one's position on the Iraq war, I think thanks would be an appropriate gesture. Even in conflict, shouldn't we remember gratitude? Isn't this a Christian virtue, or according to John Calvin, THE Christian virtue?

Even if the CPT teammates believed that the invasion and occupation of Iraq by Coalition forces is illegal, or immoral, or unspiritual, nevertheless, it seems to me that their higher calling is simple human decency. Gratitude for their rescue from captors who had already tortured and murdered one of their own seems to me to be an appropriate reaction.

Update: The above linked CPT website seems to have corrected the oversight and given thanks to those who participated in the rescue.

It's March Madness!

That great time of year when anything can happen, and usually does, in college hoops. Of course, being a graduate of Cal, there is not usually anything of personal significance about March Madness. This year, though, Cal not only got in, but was a number 7 seed.

Alas, as usual, Cal lost, in a disappointing game that was close until the final minute.

Still, there were plenty of games that were thrilling, like Northwestern State's last minute win against Iowa, or Tennessee's last second win against Winthrop.

Some Strange Stuff

Cleaning up my "pictures" folder, I came across a few things I have downloaded over the years. This first one is a classic, entitled "Not My Job", it portrays some poor critter that lost a collision with a vehicle. The next day, evidently, a road crew was out lining the road. Instead of removing the poor critter, they just painted over it. Classic! Not that I have ever done anything like that. No sirree. No shortcuts for me. Never did 'em. Nope. Not me.

The next one is for my brother, affectionately known as Uncle Dave around here. No idea why this picture reminds me of Dave. Well, other than the infamous, "Me and Unc were doin' 90!" Or the fact that Dave likes going fast. But really, 167 in a 50 mph zone seems a little excessive even for Uncle Dave. Still, the vehicle must have been going pretty fast, as it is no longer in sight, and these speed posts do not stay lit for long after you pass them.

A recent download captures my mood on some days. And it reminds my of my (usually) peacefully sleeping puppies, who are now no longer puppies.


Perhaps the strangest picture is of this "table boat". Creative. Insane. But creative. Hope he never encountered a wave.

Another Year Goes By

It has been another year since my mom's untimely death. In the busy-ness of the past week, that anniversary just flew past me. I am still dealing with the grief of her death, and wonder if I will ever stop or complete the process. I blogged on the first annicersary of her death here.

I recently found one of my favorite pictures of my mom. It was faded, but it scanned in reasonably well. It does show her playful side, which she let out every once in a while.

Happy Birthday, Sunny and June!

Our dogs, we still think of them as puppies, turn three years old today. Our big blond shaggy one is Golden Sunshine, or Sunny, a male. He is very friendly, likes chasing his sister, licking people's feet, digging in the dirt, and eating rocks. Well, he actually just likes eating.

The female is Bonnie June, or Junie, or Junebug. She is quite cuddly with those she knows, but tends toward skittishness. She is easily startled, and has a startled bark that could raise the dead. She loves being outside, chasing squirrels, birds, and the wild bunny that frequents our dilapidated garage.

On the day we brought them home, we had large beach towels in which we held them, to keep them warm, and to prevent "accidents." Mark held Sunny, while Rachel held June. Rachel had wanted a dog for years, and with tears in her eyes, all the way home kept saying, "This is the best day of my whole life!"

This morning, as we talked about that day, Rachel remembered that June was a bit gassy on the ride home. We giggled about that some. The real irony is that Sunny is the gas-meister. Sometimes the dogs will be asleep, and someone in the room with them will shout out, "Oh, Sunny!" This is a clear sign to leave the house while it is fumigated by Sunny. And I swear, sometimes when this happens, he seems to be smiling.

Happy birthday, Sunny and June, our lives are richer, and more joyful, for your presence.

The Boy Can Jump

My son, Mark, is playing volleyball for South Pasadena High School. This past weekend, they played in a tournament in Redondo Beach. They took third place in their pool of eight teams. The coach keeps a web site, here, with pictures and other assorted items. Mark made the front page this week, with an amazing picture of his jumping ability. For a white guy, that is! Check it out. And if you are in town, or nearby, check the schedule and come check out a game or two this season.

The Servant God

Bruce Becker has written a superb piece on the servant nature of Jesus Christ, here. One key paragraph:

God has a funny way of doing things. When God introduces Himself to the planet, he picks a tiny minority, the Jews, and two podunk towns and a young, unmarried, peasant couple who quickly become refugees. For the welcoming committee He prefers old folks and outsiders. His Son is a blue collar worker who spends 90% of his life punching a clock as a nonunion cart mechanic. And the greatest achievement of God occurs not over a century, decade or year, but a three day weekend. And it featured a public execution!

Thanks, Bruce.

The Meme of Four (My Answer)

My friend, Bob Ramsey, has blogged his answers to the Meme of Four, here. Here are my answers:

Four Jobs I've Had

1. Pastor
   
2. Bus Driver
   
3. Cook (The Cattlemens in Dixon, CA]
   
4. Research Assistant (Crown Zellerbach in San Leandro, CA)

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over Again

1. Crimson Tide
   
2. The Blues Brothers
   
3. October Sky
   
4. It's a Wonderful Life

Four Movie Series I Can Watch Over and Over Again

1. Lord of the Rings
   
2. Harry Potter
   
3. Star Wars
   
4. The Bourne Series

Four Books I Have Read Over and Over

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- Mark Twain
   
2. The Chronicles of Narnia- C. S. Lewis (OK, that's seven books, but this is my list, OK?
   
3. The Pursuit of God- A. W. Tozer
   
4. The Wounded Healer- Henri Nouwen
   
5. The Bible (Just had to mention that)

Four Places I Have Lived

1. St. Anthony Village, MN
   
2. Berkeley, CA
   
3. San Jose, CA
   
4. South Pasadena, CA

Four Places I Have Vacationed

1. Alaska
   
2. Washington, DC
   
3. Gettysburg, PA
   
4. The Olympic Peninsula, WA

Four Places I Want to Vacation

1. Civil War Battlefields
   
2. New Zealand
   
3. Hawaii
   
4. London, England

Four TV Shows I Love (We don't have cable)

1. CSI
   
2. Numbers
   
3. Everwood
   
4. Modern Marvels (When we travel, I am hooked on this cable show on the History Channel)

Four TV Shows I Have Loved

1. The Pretender
   
2. ER
   
3. Combat
   
4. Columbo

Four Websites I Visit Daily

1. Powerline
   
2. Presbyweb
   
3. Mark D. Roberts
   
4. SF Giants ESPN Board

Four Favorite Dishes

1. Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta - Chili's
   
2. Chicken Piccata - Hamburger Hamlet
   
3. Tenderloin Tips - like mom used to make
   
4. T-bone steak and baked potato - like dad used to make

Four Favorite Desserts (My addition, done on the second day of Lent!)

1. Homemade ice cream
   
2. French Silk Pie - Baker's Square
   
3. Seven Layer Bars
   
4. Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies

Four Things That Make Me Warmly Happy

1. Watching my daughter splash around in the pool
   
2. Watching my Cocker Spaniels run and play
   Corollary: Watching otters
   
3. Refereeing a well-played soccer match
   
4. Helping someone in need