My wife and I made a brief escape, down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina – Corolla and Duck specifically. Though only a two hour drive from our home – a home where we have lived for the past 4 1/2 years – this was my first time to visit the Outer Banks. We loved it!
Here are some shots taken during our brief stay:
From time to time I am asked why I have a rooster for a profile picture, both on my blog and on Facebook. What’s more, the rooster is also the screensaver on my phone. I use these images for more reason than just the bucolic tranquility they depict. The rooster has a long history as an interesting symbol.
While Celtic and Norse cultures saw the rooster as a creature of the underworld – a messenger screeching warnings of danger, and calling for the souls of those killed in battles; most have viewed the rooster in a more positive light.
In art, the rooster has long symbolized the fanning out of brilliance – i.e. showing the world the shimmering facets of ones personality. As one scholar has noted, the rooster is used in art to display courage, strength, pride, honesty, vigilance, watchfulness, as well as flamboyance. Most of these are excellent qualities. And flamboyance is not entirely bad, though too much of it may be somewhat obnoxious.
In Christianity the rooster is associated with Peter’s denial of Christ on the night of betrayal, leading up to the crucifixion. So the rooster is associated with Christ’s death – which while tragic, was also God’s intention, the reason for which Jesus was born. And while not lessening the tragedy, it is important to remember that Jesus himself says of the crucifixion: “I lay down my life, no one takes it from me.” (John 10.11-18) Jesus laid down his life that those who believe would have life. Yet the effect of his substitutionary death only reached its full effect upon his resurrection – which Jesus hinted at in John 10.17. In that sense the rooster, which symbolizes betrayal and death, cannot be separated from the purpose of Jesus’ death, and thus cannot be separated from the resurrection. Therefore, the rooster is an appropriate symbol of the gospel itself.
What the rooster most symbolizes, at least to me, is the dawning of a new day. This is the reason I use it so freely. The rooster crows at the first hints of new light. This was a primary reason the rooster was used as a symbol of the Reformation – it was a reminder that the Reformation itself signaled a new day. Of course the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign of a new day. And God himself tells us, through his prophet Jeremiah, that “his mercies are new every morning”. (Lamentations 3.22-23)
So to me, the rooster is a constant reminder of the gospel, and that today is a new day – every day is a new day. This being New Years Day, the rooster seems to me to be an especially appropriate symbol.
My friend, Jay Mitlo, has written An Open Letter to Kennywood, to thank the workers at a Pittsburgh area amusement park for the simple kindnesses that meant much more than most realize. The post was so well received, and so re-posted, that it effectively broke Facebook – Facebook flagged it, shut it down, until they were able to confirm it was not a virus laden spam.
In his post, Jay writes:
I write this letter to you on the eve or your opening for the season so that you may share it with your wonderful staff. Working at an amusement park cannot be an easy job. The hours are long and the people not always so nice. However, in the midst of the line cutters and helicopter moms who insist that their child is in fact tall enough to ride a given ride, a warrior angel may be in their midst. Each one of your staff had a hand in giving a kid with terminal cancer (and his family) a day of rest, a day of joy, a day of memories (which are all we have of him now) that will last many a lifetime.
What you need to know, if you do not know Jay (which most of you do not), is that Jay was writing only months after the passing of his young son, who had suffered for four years with a neuroblastoma cancer.
Jay concludes:
So when your staff is down, tired, and bitter, when they measure their desire to work on their paycheck alone, please remind them that another warrior angel may be the next one in line.
Take a moment to read Jay’s letter. You might want to get some tissues. And then pass it on to someone who may need some encouragement. I share it because it deserves to be read. I share it because it is a reminder that how we do our jobs, and live our lives, makes a difference whether we are aware or not. I share it because your work matters, whatever you do.
A video memorial for John R.W. Stott, who passed from this life today. Few if any have had as much influence on my Biblical understanding and holistic theology as did John Stott through his writings and lectures.
John R.W. Stott (April 27, 1921 – July 27, 2011)
R.I.P.
I received the following Update in an e-mail. It describes findngs from Johns Hopkins University about causes and preventative measures that guard against cancer. Having gone through treatment for colon cancer, I thought this worthwhile to pass along and preserve.
***
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.
3 When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system..
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply..
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes.. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.
By Steve Wilmoth – TriCitiesSports.com
With a head coach and three assistants with ties to the Northeast Tennessee area, Brevard College has made serious in-roads acquiring local talent for their 2010 football recruiting class.
The latest is Sullivan Central wide receiver/defensive back, Andrew Griffith, who inked with the Tornados in ceremonies at school on Friday.
Griffith joins Sullivan North place-kicker Arrick Blevins, Daniel Boone lineman Isaac Bowman, and Science Hill lineman Joel Shrum as local signees with Brevard. Like Blevins, Griffith said Brevard came on strong late in the recruiting process.
“I really wasn’t considering them at first, but I went for a visit and I just kept getting more and more interested,” said Griffith.
Griffith was recruited by Marshall Doss, a former player at Emory & Henry. In addition to Doss, Brevard has on staff former ETSU lineman Jim Beverly and defensive backs coach Teddy Gaines, a former player at Dobyns-Bennett and the University of Tennessee. All are under the direction of former ETSU head coach Paul Hamilton.
“He thinks I can come right in and contribute,” said Griffith of Doss who recruited the former Cougar as a wide receiver. “Hopefully I can make an immediate impact.”
Griffith came to Central as sophomore transfer from Pennsylvania and was also considering Geneva College, close to his former Pittsburgh home, Emory & Henry and University of the Cumberlands were also in the picture.
“Since Brevard was a Division II school, I chose them,” added Griffith. “I just decided I would rather play Division II than Division III.”
Griffith has plans to major in elementary education while at Brevard.
***
This article first appeared in Tri-Cities Sports.com on February 20. Tri Cities Sports.com is a subscripton based publication that covers colege, high school and middle school sports around the Mountain Empire. This article is published here in whole with thank to Steve Wilmoth. Links have been added.
Just back from a weekend in the Smokies. Carolyn & I appreciate the generosity of our church, who provided this get-a-way as a gift to us.
Here’s where we stayed, Richmont Inn:
Making it all the more nostalgic, Carolyn & I had our first date just around the corner from this Inn. We were, at one time long ago, frequent visitors to the Smokies, with Townsend and Cades Cove among our favorite destinations:
Not long ago I signed up for Facebook social networking. I was hesitant to do so for quite a few reasons. First, I suspect, because I was already blogging, and between that and simply responding to my e-mails each day, I assumed I really didn’t have the time. Second, I had assumed that Facebook was for teenagers and college students. While a good tool to keep up with my kids and teens in our church, I didn’t see much other use for myself. And probably the biggest thing was that I didn’t want to learn anything new. To whatever degree each of these arguments resounded through my mind, I wasn’t interested.
But now that I’ve done it, now that I’ve signed on, I’ve enjoyed it. I have been amazed at the number of long-lost friendships that have been rekindled. I have found it a quick and pithy way to communicate with old friends and current church members. In that line, Facebook has proven to be a tool that helps me to informally connect with people, something that had initially prompted me to start blogging in the first place. While the first week of Facebooking occupied more time than was probably wise, the end – and present – results made it a worthwhile investment. And now I am also managing my time on it more appropriately.
All that said, today is apparently the 5th Anniverary for Facebook. And thanks to a friend, I discovered that Evangelical leader Al Mohler has offered some of his thoughts about Facebook on his blog, in a post titled: Facebook Turns Five: Thoughts on Social Networking.
I appreciate both the benefits and cautions Mohler mentions. Some of them have occured to me, and some are more developed thoughts than I have to date mustered.
Two last items:
1. Now that I’ve got used to this Facebook thing, I expect to be able to get back to more regular blog posting. I may change a few things, but I plan to make 3-5 posts each week.
2. If you have not already done so, look me up on Facebook. One can never have too many friends.
According to ESPN, this is Jimmy V Week. It is a week when ESPN, in conjunction with the V Foundation, remember former North Carolina State Basketball Coach Jim Valvano, and raise funds for Cancer Research.
Watch Coach V’s powerful message that kicked off this foundation shortly before his passing in ’93:
I don’t comment about it often, but because I am a cancer survivor, and because I see how many people are struck by this awful disease, this cause is one I wholeheartedly endorse.
Call me old fashioned, but I don’t open presents before Christmas morning. And I don’t vote before election day. That’s not a point of pride. It’s just what I do. I am comfortable that way.
I go off the the polls this morning comforted by these thoughts:
1. I am confident about the “class” of both major candidates. Unlike in the last couple of elections, I don’t expect the loser to act with sour grapes, and threaten lawsuits to prolong the race. I recognize that the election is likely to be close, and therefore perhaps not resolved tonight. I understand there is widespread concern about voter fraud that needs to be rectified, which may require some additonal time. But I am not expecting a poor loser who will, even years later, still claim to have had the election “stolen”. This year will be a refreshing change.
2. Regardless of who wins, God is still in control. While he has not promised that all things will go to our liking, or even that we will experience only bliss if we follow Christ, nevertheless, my hope is in him. My aim is to align myself to His eternal purpose, not to try to sway him to my determined purposes.
My prayer: “Your will be done, not mine, O Lord.”
The final game of my sons’ 2008 football season has come and gone. While in most respects it was a disappointing season for their teams, both of them accounted for themselves fairly well.
This picture above was taken after the final game – a “W”. It was special because our younger son, Matthew, a Freshman, who plays TE and DE, was invited to dress out with the varsity. This is the first time our boys have been on the same team, so we thought we would take a picture. Also somewhat unique is that Matthew was given #1, while Andrew, a Junior, wears #2.
One would think I’d be a good prospect to be a part of the Religious Right.
1. I am a conservative Evangelical pastor.
2. I first identified my political identity as a Republican in the 2nd Grade.
(My teacher at Cedar Road Elementary School, Mrs. Manning, wanting to teach us a little about Civics, listed several candidates running in local elections on the board. I mistakenly thought the Republican candidate for one of the offices was my across-the-street-neighbor, so my hand went up as being for that group.)
3. By the fourth grade I actively worked for the campaign of the Republican running for County Commissioner in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
(No I was not that advanced. My father was working on the campaign, and I delivered flyers all around our town. Come to think of it, it was probably good that I identified as a Republican in the 2nd Grade. I’m not sure how it would have been growing up if my father had a Democrat for a son!)
4. And now that I am at least a little more aware of politics and the issues than I was when I was in the 2nd Grade, and now that I think for myself, I find I share most of the social concerns expressed by the Religious Right; and I am at least sympathetic to most of their positions.
Still, I am not part of the Religious Right, and have no desire to be identified with them.
Why not?
1. The Religious Right trusts too much in government.
It is odd. One of the loudest laments of conservatives is that Democrats historically favor BIG government; that Democrats believe that government will solve our social problems. So I find it ironic that those identified as the Religious Right place such faith in electing the right people. In other words, it seems to me they are putting their hope in those governing.
Don’t get me wrong. Electing qualified people is important to the functioning of our government, in its various spheres (i.e. Federal, State, Municipal, etc.). But the social problems we have are more a reflection of the heart than imposition of public policy. Further, I do believe that there are policies that are immoral. These policies are in place either as a reflection of or to address the corruption of our hearts – the effect of sin. But the policies do not shape our hearts.
Like him now or not, I remember when George W. Bush was running in the primaries of Y2K, he was asked about a particular policy- I think it was hate crimes. Bush said: “You cannot legislate the heart.” I think that is profoundly true.
Notice he did not say the typical “You can’t legislate morality.” That is an absurd statement. All legislation is an expression of morality (or lack of it). He said “You cannot legislate the heart.” I’ll go a step further, “You cannot legislate Righteousness”. Right behavior is not itself Righteousness. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Righteousness is faith expressing itself in right action – in behavior reflective of God’s character and standards.
Please understand, there are a number of laws and practices I want to see changed; and others I want to see averted. As a whole our society would be better off. This would restrain behavior influenced by our sin-infected hearts. But this is still not Righteousness. And anyone who believes that simple laws will make us righteous is kidding himself.
Civil Government has a God-given sphere. It is to provide structure for society. And Civil Government has authority to enforce the common standards for the benefit and protection of the members of society. It is an important but limited role.
Matters of faith – faith that shapes values & behavior – belongs in the other two governing spheres: Family & Church. It is God’s Word that instructs us concerning what we are to believe, and what is good & right. This faith is shaped and expressed in the family and Church. And when we live-out our faith, we express the righteousness God is working in us.
I’m afraid the Religious Right converges & confuses these God-given spheres. Consequently many are trusting too much in government, and not enough in what God does, and is doing, by the power of the Gospel.
2. The Religious Right Distorts the Gospel
The Gospel is not: “Be good and you will be righteous.” It is certainly not: “If you don’t do evil, you are righteous.”
The Gospel is: There is none righteous. But despite the fact we are not good, God has loved us. He sent his Son to take upon himself our guilt and punishment. Whoever trusts in Him – and particularly what He has done on the Cross – is not only forgiven of sin & debt to God, but declared by Divine judiciary to be righteous; we are credited with the righteousness of Christ.
All of this is a matter of faith. And faith cannot be removed from righteousness.
Faith that is genuine will be expressed in a noticeable improvement of our attitudes and actions (in other words, they will incrementally become more in line with Christ’s). These actions of faith are what the Bible calls works of righteousness. Again, righteousness is not the actions themselves.
Sadly, I believe the political emphasis of the Religious Right distorts the Gospel by too often appealing to behavior as the basis of our relationship with God, and not in faith in Christ. I recognize that the vast majority of those who identify themselves as part of the Religious Right personally make this distinction, but in the heat of political battle the message is not clearly or often enough expressed.
I also often wonder if the leaders of the Religious Right appreciate the power of the Gospel to bring change to individual lives, and thus to a society. Far better to have people experiencing the power of the Gospel that transforms our hearts, our perspective, our desires, and ultimately our behavior, than to merely restrain behavior.
Government cannot change anyone, really. That is why the efforts of the Religious Right to energize the Evangelical Church into little better than a Political Action Committee sadden me – and angers me. Too often politics has become the substitute mission of the church. But the message being proclaimed is no substitute for the Gospel.
3. The Religious Right Has Made Partisanship a Condition of Christianity
I have no idea how many times I have heard it: “I don’t know how someone can be a Christian and be a Democrat”.
I know when that is said it is almost always in reference to some of the social issues, that I agree need to be addressed and, that are supported more prominently by Democrats than Republicans. But I fear that some may really wonder if political affiliation is a condition for salvation – in other words, that receiving Christ requires Faith AND Voters Registration. NO! NO! NO!
Being a Christian = trusting in Christ + NOTHING! Salvation is by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. PERIOD.
How we live that faith out may vary. And I see both parties lacking.
Again, I am a lifelong Republican. But I must recognize that Republicans do not always have a good track record, for instance, for directly helping the poor & outcastes. I don’t think it is as bad as caricatured. Neither are the Democrat policies as good as some would want us to believe. (See Marvin Olasky’s The Tragedy of American Compassion.) But I understand how someone filled by the compassion of Christ would choose to identify with those promising direct involvement and resources for the poor. This is an expression of their Faith. One can do this without necessarily embracing every plank of the party’s platform. And I can understand them, without necessarily agreeing with them.
I was struck several years ago by this comment byMichael Horton:
“At the risk of hyperbole, one wonders today what would be more dangerous in some Evangelical gatherings: disagreeing with someone over the doctrine of the Incarnation or disagreeing with Rush Limbaugh.”
(From Beyond Culture Wars, pg 18)
Sadly, I think the emphasis of the Religious Right, for whatever good may have been done, has had this effect on many conservatives.
Today is Super Tuesday. And now that I got all that off my chest, it’s time for me to go vote. I have been wrestling with this for several weeks, and made my decision a few weeks ago. But I’ll refrain from naming my candidate. I’ll cast my vote and pray…
“Lord, Have Mercy on Us!”
Why am I doing this? I am not particularly tech savvy. And I have more than enough things to do with my time. So why am I taking the time to start a blog?
I suppose another question might be: Who am I doing this for? Both questions are probably pertinent.
1. To Communicate with Others.
Blogging will give me an opportunity to communicate with other people. Who are these people I expect to converse with? It may be a diverse group. In my mind’s eye I see several groups of people:
The Church I Pastor
I have been given the privilege of serving the Body of Christ as a pastor. And I recently made a transition, moving from a church in Pittsburgh to Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Tennessee.
My hope is that posting will provide the people Walnut Hill an opportunity to get to know me – my interests, passions, and personality. At the very least they’ll get to know how my mind works…
My hope is also that blogging will be an avenue through which I can exercise the teaching aspect of my ministry. It can be a supplement to my pulpit ministry and other teaching opportunities. And because blogging is not a one-sided medium, it can provide a forum to discuss issues that time may not permit in those other, more structured, venues.
Partners in Ministry
This group may include a vast spectrum, ranging from other pastors to missionaries & parachurch ministers, to anyone else engaged in advancing Christ’s Kingdom.
I am not so arrogant as to assume that whatever I have to say will be a significant treasure. But I do have a lot of friends who fall into this category. And I know there is joy in a shared journey. My experiences and thoughts may simply encourage others in their lives & ministries… and, of course, if along the way there are at least occasional tidbits of insight or wisdom, so much the better.
People in Past Ministries (i.e. Old Friends)
I have had the privilege of serving in churches & ministries in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. In all of these places we have made some great friends. I suspect that our friends from those past ministries (and perhaps some “not-so-friendlies”) will pop in to see what is going on…
Passers-by
I suppose it is also possible that some people will stumble across this blog by accident, or when looking for something else. Hopefully they will find something useful, and from time to time check back.
2. To Express Myself
In a very real sense I am keeping this blog as an outlet for personal expression. In that sense, as I begin this, I am not certain if it really matters if anyone else ever reads what I post. Blogging gives me the opportunity to work through and catalog things that interest me, to try to cultivate creativity, and simply to express myself much like as if I kept a journal in a notebook. (Though I still hope there will be some things posted that are occasionally of interest and/or value to others.)
3. To Honor God
Since my primary purpose in life is to glorify God by enjoying Him, my hope is that this blog will honor Him. My life is inseparably linked to this purpose. No facet of my life is outside this scope. Whatever I do, whatever interests I have, this purpose should always be in view.
Hopefully, not only will the posts themselves honor God but, the accumulated works should be a tangible chronicle of my own life’s journey – one that I pray and trust will have a demonstrable growth in knowledge, progress in maturity and increase of sensitivity to God and His Kingdom. These will be a testimony of His grace at work in my life.
GRACE & PEACE 