Individuality is Over-rated

Disclaimer:  I know (from my parents -- twice) how painful divorce can be.  I'm not here to condescend or unfairly judge anyone who's been through it.  What I am here to do is to figuratively smack idiotic men upside the head with a 2x4.

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Over the last 21 years, I have been in contact with many friends (guys) who say how glad they are that their wives are not the "needy" type (so-called), and oh, how they brag that they can go and do their own thing, without having to include their wives in most of their activities.  They say these things as if to say "Look, MY marriage is healthy, because neither of us has lost our individuality by being married."

You know what?  Most of those guys (if not ALL of them) are no longer married.  They got what they wanted: their individuality.  And yet, here I am, ecstatically married to the very happy wife of my youth; I'm blessed to be the happy father of 6 beautiful, happy, secure children. (That's a lot of "Happy", isn't it?)  Make no mistake, I certainly do not get the credit for my present status -- all credit goes to my Heavenly Father, Whose Word gives clear instructions about how to "do" marriage.

If you want a thing to work, and last, you follow the Designer's instructions... not your own, nor the culture's.

So, if you are one of the aforementioned "individualistic" husbands, BEWARE...

You might just get what you want.

 

"In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."  (Ephesians 5:28)

"You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."  (1 Peter 3:7)

What do YOU call it?

Dear friends:

I greatly desire us to be educated and committed in a certain manner of thinking, speaking and doing. Here it is...

This Sunday must be called RESURRECTION DAY, not "easter". The latter word has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with WHY the day is commemorated. The day is set apart from every other day of the year, ONLY because it is a celebration of the physical and bodily resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the Word Made Flesh.

Not because of bunnies. Not because of eggs. Not because of buffet brunches... although I like those things as much as the next guy. :-)

Rom 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Those of you who are Christ-followers, stand up and be counted. REFUSE to call this Sunday "easter", and refer to it boldly as "Resurrection Day" instead.  Well-meaning people -- even church-attenders and pastors (!) -- will inevitably dismiss you, give you trouble or ridicule you for taking this stand. Let them. Remember that *words have meaning*, and continue to call it Resurrection Day, knowng that the very phrase points everyone DIRECTLY to the Gospel of the Only Savior, Jesus Christ -- WITHOUT taking a confusing and conformist detour through paganism.

Mat 12:36-37 (ESV) "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Thank you for your consideration. Have a blessed week.

--Ric

Law vs. Grace... Off with the Kid Gloves!

Friends:

Yesterday, I had an intense conversation (a "holy argument" that made my wife a little concerned, as she observed) with another believer (an acquaintance) after a church service: a continuation of the pastor's examination of Grace and the Law.  This brother was asserting that the measure of a believer's true walk with Christ was that he would have a greater and greater desire to follow the Law -- i.e., the Ten Commandments.  I stated that "no, the measure of a Christ follower is by how much his life emulates the grace and truth of the Savior.  We MUST ask for the Holy Spirit's empowerment to follow God from the heart, not merely aim for keeping His law.  GOD IS NOT THE LAW, AND THE LAW IS NOT GOD."
Unfortunately, after my "discussion" with this brother, I learned from the pastor that the brother said he could no longer attend that church.  Being somewhat of a newcomer to that fellowship, I apologized profusely to the pastor.  To my surprise, the pastor smiled and warmly told me no apology was necessary.  The pastor then informed me that his own attempts to break through the man's legalism were met with equal resistance, and he believed the man to be trying to clean out dust specks out of the eyes of others, while being visually impaired by his own log-ridden myopia.  God's providence prevailed, he told me.
Lest I think that I have "won" or "arrived" (hardly!) in this familiar issue of Law vs. Grace, as of today I'll be studying -- taking a HARD look at -- the New Testament book of Romans with my Bride (and my children).  First off, I'm telling you this for accountability's sake.  Feel free to ask me how it's going.

Secondly, I think it'd be great if you would join me; that is, if you're not already into a book study, of course.

Let me know how it affects you...

Have a fruitful day.

--Ric

Guest Post

Here is a thought-provoking article written by my new friend David G.
I pray it stirs you as much as it did me!

An Open Apology | ravenfood

Book of the Month -- "The Heavenly Man"

This book is next on my reading list, as it came highly recommended by some dear and trusted brothers in Christ.

Have you read it?  If so, what are your thoughts?

If you'd like to order it and read it with me, so we can talk about it, click on the link above.

May the Lord make us more like Himself, daily, as we submit our very lives to Him.

--Ric

Pennies and Pounds, Part 1

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 (NASB):

"Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them."

I have been meditating on this passage, off and on, for several years now.  Far from perpetuating the "balance" of today's psycho-babble, I believe there some great take-aways here for modern Christ-followers.  I am still formulating how I'd like to address this passage, in a way that is relevant to the greatest number of readers, but here are a few personal applications that I feel represent the heart of what the Word of God is saying through Solomon:

• Go take your pastor out for a beer, but don't get smashed.
• Enjoy the senses God gave you (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell), but faithfully in accordance to the ways He intended, for His glory.
• When the Bible seems too complicated to wrap your head around, stop and ask the Good Shepherd to help you love someone you don't like (Luke 6:32-36).  That'll keep you busy for a while.
• If some foolish person frustrates you continually, try to imagine how frustrating to God your folly must be... He is a Father, after all, and a Person, with feelings.  Then thank Him that His mercy endures forever, and covers suckers like us.
• Don't worry.  About anything. (Matthew 6:25, Philippians 4:6)

That's all I have for now.  Have a blessed day, friends.

An Open Letter to My Younger Self -- Part 1

A while ago, I heard a song that (barring a few crass references) got me thinking about the last couple decades of my life.  Now, I'm only 44, and that hardly qualifies for large quantities of reminiscence.  Still, since I can't change my past, the best I can do is pass on what little wisdom I may have acquired.

I must first make a few disclaimers:

• I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.
• I grew up in a broken home.
• I am a veteran of the U.S. Army.
• I have never been financially wealthy.
• I spent the majority of my "career years" as a pastor of worship for modern evangelical churches.
• I have willingly left that line of work, nearly 2 years ago.
• I have never started or maintained my own business.
• I have spent most of my life in Southern California, but am now a grateful "transplant" to Northwestern Montana.

OK, on with the program.  So as to refrain from the appearance of judgmentalism, I will address this letter to my 18-year-old self.  Some of these points, I have done.  Others, I wish I had.  Those of you who know me will know which is which.

Without further adieu...

________________

Don't even think about going into debt for a college education: Unless you're going after becoming a corporate attorney (perish the thought!) or hit the lottery, that monstrous obligation will haunt you for DECADES to come.  (Notice how I didn't say "become a doctor".  I'd sooner go through life with my hands tied behind my back and a leash around my neck.  Same thing.)  No, spend your youth EARNING a living.  Even a modest income, properly stewarded, is better than spending buckets of borrowed capital on a slip of paper (a "degree") which probably won't mean a darn thing in the world you will see unfolding.  Don't pay to learn... GET PAID to learn a business or trade.  Then, become the leader.

Learn to MAKE or BUILD things.  DO something with the energy of your youth.  Pursue a career and life-path that will allow to you to step back from your efforts and say, "Look at THAT.  I made that.  I'm responsible for that coming to be."  There is a world looming in the distance which will not be friendly to those who cannot build a dwelling, cultivate a vegetable garden, hunt and prepare one's own meat and stitch up a wound.  Spend a significant amount of time and energy learning how to survive in the wilderness.  Be willing to do things, to solve problems, which most other people will avoid.  There is tremendous value in that.

Stay in shape.  Don't let yourself become lazy or complacent in the area of physical fitness.  Stay strong.  Create a lifelong habit of physical exertion.  You never know when you're going to have to run harder, swim farther, climb higher, or carry more than you ever thought you could.  Be ready.

Buy fertile, wooded land as soon as you possibly can.  Build a modest, simple, small and smart home on it, BEFORE you marry.  If you can do this, without getting bogged down in debt (preferably debt-free), you will alleviate yourself of the "life of quiet desperation" which Thoreau warned against.

Marry a woman whose Bible is worn out from use, and who is beautifully contented with the simple life God gives her.  A woman who spends very little on the things which mean little, and who is not afraid to pay cash-on-the-barrel for things that will last for decades (Proverbs 31).  Pour all of your manly love and affection into her alone, and don't waste your character on pursuing anyone else -- not even the thought of anyone else (Matthew 5:28).  And marry young.  Start having children (lots of them) as soon as possible.  Do not ever say something diabolically foolish, like "I don't know if we can afford to have any more than 2 children."  Be fruitful.  Multiply.  Trust God that He is better at providing for you and your family's needs than you will ever be.

Don't get comfortable in this life.  This world is not -- I repeat, NOT -- your home, if you have wisely and rightfully put your trust, your very life in the hands of King Jesus.  Be ready to say, "Where He leads me, I will follow.  What He feeds me, I will swallow."

Learn how to get along with all kinds of people.  Make the Golden Rule your life's theme.

_________

Well, it's getting late and I'm getting sleepy.  Perhaps there will be a Part 2 to this post.

What would you say to someone much younger than you?  Leave a comment below.

Does the Bible teach Disarmament?

It is my assertion that the Scriptures do not teach disarmament.  Here is a concise compendium of Biblical teaching on the matter, thanks to Mercy Seat Church in Wisconsin:

http://www.mercyseat.net/gunapologetic.html

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS"... NOT "rights"

Seeking righteousness "fits the bill" far more than the Bill of Rights.  Thanks to Dr. Ted Weiland for this thoughtful distinction between the two:

Rights, Rights, Everyone Wants Their Rights « CONSTITUTION MYTHBUSTERS

Listen up, "Sheepdogs"!

 
Listen, dog. We are all "sheep", according to God's Word.  Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah:
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (53:6)
No matter how much we protector-types fancy ourselves to be "Sheepdogs", and somehow more prepared to deal with the predators of the world (particularly the two-legged kind), make no mistake about it:
In God's eyes, "All we like sheep have gone astray."
Praise the King and Lord of the universe, that HE has mercy on us all!

The Kingdom of Heaven Suffereth Violence

DISCLAIMER:

I realize that some readers will probably disagree with the reasoning in this post. Maybe most readers will disagree, perhaps vehemently, and accuse me of all kinds of weird stuff. I'm not weird or whacked out, Just trying to come to terms with the very-real "good vs. evil" in this world we occupy, and come to terms with these things from a "whole of Scripture"-perspective. I still love Jesus, and I still like puppies, small children and bacon. And ice cream... too much so. But I digress... on to the post.

_______________________

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves"  — Jesus (Matthew 10:16)

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."  — Jesus (Matthew 11:12)

"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."  — Jesus (Luke 11:21-22)


Violence is a very difficult subject for anyone to discuss, let alone Christ-followers.  Lately, I've been really wrestling with this subject.  When I was a child (ca 1978), the only time I had to consider the subject was when I was "plinking" in the desert with the men-folk kin-folk (Dad, brother, Uncle, cousins, etc).  I was educated on the fact that the rifle or revolver I held in my hands (no more than a .22, then) had the power to end a loved one's life, if not handled properly.  But the thought of ever having to use violence to defend a life — except for the occasional playground pugilism — never really camped out in my mind.  I mean, back then, there weren't random and sudden shootings in theatres or churches or schools or playgrounds or restaurants or...  you get the idea.

Then I joined the Army (1986), and was taught — nay, drilled — to live out the following oath:

"I, Richard J. Calvi, do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."


So I became personally acquainted with this idea of antithesis; that there were good guys (us soldiers) and there were bad guys (in this case, enemies of the Constitution), and that there was a big, solid line between the two.  To quote Jack Ryan in "Clear and Present Danger": "Not 'black and white'... right and wrong".  At that juncture, my theology was such that the world was becoming an increasingly dark-hearted place (and this was back in the 80's/90's!), but that when the LORD came back to "rapture His people", He would rescue us from all of this.  Until then, we had to just try to be a good example to — and evangelize — the world.

Before too long, I started growing a bit leary of "Left Behind" eschatology, and started paying more attention to things Jesus said, like "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."  I started really scrutinizing and "chewing on" issues like, what should be the Christ-follower's response when the authorities mentioned in Romans 13 have become decidedly wicked?  What should I do, for example, when I'm in a public place and some worthless man walks in and starts shooting bystanders?  I was recently involved in a Facebook dialogue recently with someone I've never met, who asserted that if he were in a scenario like the Aurora theatre that tragic eveing, he would pray, and be ready to die.

Really?  Just acquiesce to a psychopath, just like that?  What about the "women and children" he could/should have rescued, if he was willing to "interfere" with the danger at hand, in Christ's name?  (John 15:13)

I believe I would pray in that situation, too, but the prayer woud more resemble King David's:

"Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight..." (Psalm 144:1), or that of Benjamin Martin
Yes, I would pray for about as much time as it took Nehemiah to pray before replying to king Artaxerxes...

And then I would take aim and shoot back, bringing my training to bear on the evil in our midst.  It's a risk, I know, but in my mind it's better than watching the defenseless die unnecessarily.

There.  I said it.  So help me, Lord.

The Finger of God

Last week, I was able to snap this picture while walking with the family, and the Lord brought a cool "object lesson" to my mind, which I hope to articulate with you.  Here's the picture:

That's my hand, holding my 2-year-old's hand as we walk down the street with the family.  Cassie and I have a particular way we hold hands: She grips my finger (which more than fills her tiny fist) and I wrap my remaining digits around her hand and wrist.  This way, she takes responsibility for following my command to "stay close" and hold on to me, particularly in potentially risky environments.  But far more than her small efforts at clinging to her protective father, it is I, in fact, who is claiming (and walking in) the ultimate responsibility for ensuring her well-being.  I see this as a very reassuring allegory to our walk with our Heavenly Father, as discussed in Philippians 2:12b-13 --

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

We who trust in our Saviour are simply and feebly gripping His finger, per se, while He is in fact wrapping His mighty hand all around our very being.  We love Him, only because He first loved us.

So try it, sometime.  On that next little walk with a dear little person, try this grip, and let it remind you of how much God truly loves you, His dear child.

The most wonderful (solid) substance on earth

I've been thinking a lot about wood.  Heck, hardly a day goes by that I don't.  Anyway, as I'm thinning some trees today around the shop where I work, I can't help but laugh at how hopelessly infatuated I am with the stuff.

It bends.
It burns.
It builds.
It stacks.
It floats (with few exceptions).
It is at once remarkably simple and wonderfully complex.
It is used by every culture on every continent throughout all time, world without end.

Some have found some very unusual ways to employ it:

And here's an aspect of wood that continually blows my mind:

It was "invented" in all it's complexity, by the God of the Universe (YHWH), which He preordinately provided for the atoning crucifixion of His One and Only Son — ineffable.



Not much more to say, except:

"Thank God Almighty for wood."

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.


     Refrain:
     So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
     Till my trophies at last I lay down;
     I will cling to the old rugged cross,
     And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.


(George Bennard 1913 — Public Domain)

Let's Do Some Reading!

Howdy friends!

Here are two articles I just printed, and plan to read with the Mrs. in the next day or two:

• "Food Forest Gardens", by Jason T.
• "Exchanging Fear for Fear" by Kevin DeYoung

Will you read them with me, and add your comments, below?  Thanks!

WOW.

Just "wow".
If you do NOTHING ELSE TODAY, I implore you to read, ponder and receive this bold truth, so wonderfully articulated by C.S. Lewis and Kevin DeYoung (click on the link below).  May the Lord Himself draw you to His glorious throne:
Straight In His Face