Category: Brother Al (Page 23 of 68)

Some of you may remember the haunting song by Gordon Lightfoot entitled, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976).  It is a ballad about an iron ore freighter sinking off of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay on Nov. 10, 1975.  All 29 crews member were lost in the midst of hurricane winds that caused 35′ waves.  The last words from Captain Ernest McSorley were, “We are holding our own.”  

I preached recently on Jesus walking on the water (Matt 14:22-33).  Our nation is experiencing cultural storms while policy makers and cultural influencers tell us, “We are holding our own.” Meanwhile, the storm only seems to intensify.  Are we aware of Jesus’ presence in the midst of the storm, confident he will help us navigate the treacherous waters?  Be warned: we are in the midst of a cultural storm.  

After feeding the five thousand, the crowd “intended to come and make him king by force, (John 6:35).  Jesus made his disciples get into a boat to go across to the other side.  Jesus didn’t want them overly influenced by “the dominant narrative” which, quite to the contrary, seems to imply, “we are holding our own.”  That was simply a lie, perpetuated by arrogant voices who say, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?” (Ps 12:4 NIV).    

Jesus then goes away alone to pray, because he knew his message was being misunderstood and misappropriated.  The crowd saw Jesus as a political savior. The Good News of Jesus bringing His kingdom reign was overridden in favor of a political narrative. While seeking guidance from his Father, a dangerous storm develops on the Sea of Galilee, where the boat (with his disciples) was being, “buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it” (Matt. 14:24).      

Jesus comes walking to them on the water between 3 and 6 in the morning.  The disciples did not recognize Jesus. “‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear” (Matt. 14:26). Jesus tells them, “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  Men, ask yourself, “How would I respond to seeing a man walking on the water?” 

Is our trust in Jesus strong enough to weather the present storms? Or are we falling for a particular narrative?  In another incident, during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus, “rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:39).  Men, if Jesus can calm nature in its fury, he can handle the storms caused by “the dominant narrative” so they don’t overwhelm us.  Why?  Because he is Lord.

What do you think the twelve men in the boat learned about Jesus when he go back into the boat during the storm?  This occurred after the disciples witnessed Peter getting out of the boat and beginning to sink.  Jesus rescued him.  “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:32-33). This is the first recorded instance that they worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. 

It seems to me, the disciples learned a new trust in Jesus caring for them – regardless of the circumstances.  Don’t believe the lie that “we are holding our own.”  Put your trust in the One who actually can calm the turbulent waters of this world and your heart.  One more note: Make sure you are in a boat with other believers. You cannot manage the storm alone. 

Recently, Judy and I celebrated my 80th birthday with my sister in Northern Michigan (UP), where I was born and raised by my Finnish parents.  Having left home when I was 18, venturing out to California, coming to faith at a Bible school and meeting my “Rachel” at the well, reaching 80 is a milestone both physically and spiritually.

I now have a longer view of history in which to celebrate and share the mercy and goodness of the Lord. I always told my family, “I’m shooting for 80.”  Now that I have made it, I still have some spiritual “juice” left in my tank.  Physically, I am slowing down, but spiritually and mentally I am feeling strong. 

Psalm 92:12-15 is marked “old age” in my Bible: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green (Psalm 92:12-15).  O Lord, keep my spirit open  so I don’t get brittle and worn out.  May your Spirit keep me fresh and green.  I want to flow in the power of your Spirit, flourishing in my 80’s. Help me to “leave it all out on the spiritual field” for You.  

Deut. 34:7 tells us, “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”  Moses didn’t stay forever youthful.  But he did stay useful and faithful to God.  Is. 46:4 is also marked “in old age.”  “Even in your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  I thank you, Lord, for carrying me this far on the journey, sustaining and rescuing me through all these years.  

I want to sing, praise, and even shout with Jeremiah when he declares, “But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.  They’re created new every morning.  How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).  He’s all I’ve got left” (Lam. 3:21b-24 Message). At 80 I can let it all out, because He is all I have left.  Praise you Jesus; I just want to tell of your faithfulness to a generation without a lot of hope. 

We might all pray with the Psalmist, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” (Ps 71:9). The psalmist later shares a wonderful testimony that we can embrace whenever we begin the last leg of our individual journeys. “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.  Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me” (Ps 71:17-18 NLT). 

As we all draw closer to our eternal home, let us be “at home in his love.”  “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me.  Make yourselves at home in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love.  That’s what I’ve done – keep my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love” (John 15:9-10 Message).

The Tokyo Olympics are now history. The spirit and demeanor of the event changed dramatically this year because of political unrest all around the world. National pride seemed to be a waning, with more focus on individual accomplishment.  The Covid-19 virus certainly impacted every event in some way. Yet the gospel message was presented through the testimony of some very committed athletes. 

One such example was the Fiji Rugby team. Now I am not a rugby fan.  I know little about the sport.  But what I have seen on TV has left a lasting impression: two groups of grown men, physically strong and agile, each determined to out-muscle each other and force their collective will on their opponents.  These are real guys in the classic sense.  I marvel at these athletes working together as a team.  In my opinion, most NFL teams could use these guys on their offensive lines. But that is perhaps a naïve point of view.  

Whatever the case, the Fiji Rugby team won a gold medal.  I happened to see the last part of the medal ceremony.  I thought to myself, “Amazing! These strong, muscular guys are praying and worshiping after being awarded an Olympic gold medal.”  Here is how Breakpoint described the medal ceremony: “This was the second Olympic gold for the Fijians.  They got on their knees, they prayed to God in thanksgiving, and sang a hymn of praise.  It was so beautiful.  It’s a traditional tune that contains these words, ‘We have overcome, by the blood of the lamb, and the word of the Lord, we have overcome.’”

When I read that, I knew I had to write this blog.  First, I deeply admire these strong, athletic men for defying the cultural narrative so prevalent during the Olympics. “God talk” was carefully monitored and capped.  But the guys from Fuji came to the games to collectively witness to their faith.  These men played together, united in faith, witnessing to the world of the saving gospel of Jesus.  Being culturally and politically correct was not part of their worldview.  They were a team of Christian men, and they wanted the world to know that God deserves the glory.  How refreshing it was to see their united witness.  

Secondly, I love the words from the hymn they sang. As the world watched, these men celebrated, prayed, cried, and worshiped.  The words come from Revelation 12:11, when John heard in a loud voice from heaven celebrating the defeat of Satan and his angels, who had “lost their place in heaven” (v. 8).  “They overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (v. 11).

Thirdly, these men sang their testimony.  My impression is that they wanted the world to know that they were “overcomers” in Jesus.  John wrote in I John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  Wow!  On the world stage these men boldly dared to say that Satan has been defeated.  We are reminded that we too can be “overcomers.”

Fourth, imagine a rugby team singing about the “blood of the lamb.”  We read in Col. 2:15, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”  Praise God!  During the 2021 Olympics, Jesus’ victory over evil was declared to a world in desperate need of hope.  That’s powerful!  

Haggai is one of the shortest prophecies in the Old Testament.  Haggai wrote this in 538 B.C. to those returning from 70 years of captivity after the Babylonian empire had fallen to Cyrus, King of Persia.  They returned to a land devastated and were shocked to see a ruined temple – the center of their worship – left in shambles.

The people of God began to rebuild the temple but soon grew discouraged due to fierce opposition. Lacking commitment to finish the work, they began to settle for personal peace and prosperity, giving energy to building their own homes while neglecting the reconstruction of the temple.  God warned them that their lives would not improve, “…because my house… remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (1:9).  “Because of you,” God declares, “the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops” (1:10). 

Through Haggai, God reminded the people of their spiritual priorities, helping them to see that he was up to something: “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” (2:9).  It was hard from them to visualize this.  God tells them, “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land” (2:6). God had his sovereign timetable for history and reassured them that He was working out His plan. 

God declared he “will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple.  I will fill this place with glory” (2:7 NLT).  The silver and gold belong to the Lord.  All the physical creation and all nations will bow to the sovereign Lord. In bringing some of this to pass, the emperor Darius even “instructed the opponents of the temple to pay the cost of the project from the royal revenue in their own taxation districts” (Bible Speaks Today – BST).  

As in the first coming of the Lord, this will also be seen in the second coming of our Lord.  “Jesus’ death and resurrection were both accomplished by a shaking of the earth (Mt. 27:51; 28:2).  But the final fulfillment lies in the future when, “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” are the temple (Rev. 21:22 BST).

Men, we live in this period of a “little while.”  Be assured that God continues to bring about “great shaking.”  We read in Heb. 12:26, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  We, however, belong to an unshakable kingdom.  “…God is not an indifferent bystander.  He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!” (Heb. 12:28-9 – Message).  

During this “little while” before Jesus returns, God is purifying and cleansing His church.  The shaking will continue for some time.  You might be shocked and dismayed at what you read in the popular media.  But remember God is moving us to a time when He will receive all the glory.  In the meantime, he is preparing something far greater than anything we could have imagined.  

Pray to keep your priorities straight, so that you are part of what God is doing for the future.  “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.  And in this place, I will grant peace” (2:9).   

Lord, help me to see where I’m too busy focused on meeting my own wants and desires rather than the needs of your Kingdom – and help me do something to change that. 

Habakkuk proclaims at the end of his prophecy, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Hab. 3:18).  He had seen God at work in some difficult times. In the beginning, however, he had cried out impatiently, “How long, O Lord” (1:2) lamenting, “Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.  Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice is perverted” (1:3).  What happened?  

In this brief book, we see that the prophet – like us – was learning to wait – “I will wait patiently” (1:16 BST – Bible Speaks Today).  He was learning to live by faith, being “transformed from an impatient prophet into a calm and expectant one” (2:4 BST).  With so much that did not make sense, he declared, “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me and what answer I am to give to this complaint” (2:1).

Now at the end of his prophecy, he responds with, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (3:18 BST).   Habakkuk was able to rejoice even though he was living through a time of devastation. “It is one thing to rejoice in our blessings; it is quite another to rejoice when blessings have been removed” (BST).  

Habakkuk’s prayer could be a model for us in the days to come.  Much of what we take for granted will be removed.  Even the church will suffer.  There will be some difficult times ahead. Could Habakkuk be expressing what we might experience in the days to come? “I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear.  My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror.  I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us” (3:16 NLT).  We may very well have to wait quietly, knowing there is little else we can do.

Habakkuk was prepared to rejoice in God no matter what happened around him. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the live crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls,” he was learning rejoice, even in the midst of starvation and loss (3:17 BST).  

Habakkuk concludes by declaring, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength (3:19).  The prophet’s secret to enduring devastation was the strength he found in the Lord.  He declares that the Lord “makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the height” (3:19).  David also bore witness to the ability to move nimbly as a deer in the midst of danger (Ps. 18:33), “but whereas David composed his psalm at a time of victory, Habakkuk uses the words to express a faith which trusts God while it is still very dark” (BST). 

Like us, Habakkuk was learning to live by faith and not be sight (2:4).  This is the kind of “see through” faith that will be needed in the days to come.  I encourage every man reading this blog, to recommit today to trust Jesus more and more.  Take Paul’s words to heart: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:12-13 NLT).   

As we were in prayer at the end of one of our “Band of Brothers” meetings, I pictured myself falling off a pedestal.  I knew immediately what it meant: I had put myself on a spiritual pedestal as the facilitator of our group.  I was seeing myself as more spiritual than others. 

Beyond this, I was taking pride in my spiritual maturity, thinking I was a fairly transparent guy. But even in my vulnerability, I was putting my best spiritual face forward, and was fearful of what the men really thought of me. I have been struggling mightily in writing this blog, because I don’t want to admit my spiritual pride.  Paul tell us in Galatians, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself.  You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct” (Gal. 6:2-5 NLT).    

It is not easy for me to expose my “dirty laundry.”  My false self, with all its ego needs, dies a slow death.  I continue to struggle with appearance rather than face the realities of my own heart. It is hard to admit that at 80 years of age, I still pose and pretend.  It seems the Lord is using a group of men as an opportunity to come face to face with spiritual pride.  Lord, help me to be a more honest man.

Paul’s words in I Cor. 3:18-20 are convicting to me:  “Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you thinks that he is wise is in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may be come [truly] wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness (absurdity, stupidity) before God: for it is written [in Scripture], [He is] the one who catches the wise and clever in their craftiness” (Amplified).  I have been deceiving myself, thinking I am wise when I should be willing to be a fool.

I confess that I have been caught in the “craftiness” of thinking myself to be wise. I am learning to deconstruct this hidden tendency. I need to heed Jesus words: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). The following prayer is helping:

Lord, help me be more willing to become a fool for Christ, because I know you love me.  I don’t have to prove my worth or be concerned about my reputation. Because I still struggle with the need for approval from other men, help me remember that my affirmation needs to continually come from you.  

I need much grace and mercy not to get caught up in comparison.  It is awful trap I want to avoid.  Give me a genuine love to walk in the shoes of other men.  I also need to dismiss any thought of how far I have progressed on my spiritual journey.  Help me remember that the journey is not a matter of achievement, but rather of being.  

Open my eyes to see false humility – which is really rooted in self-pity and self-hatred. Help me forget about appearances, and to be as genuinely honest and open about my journey with you. Guide me in remembering that your power is made perfect in my weakness (II Cor 12:9). 

I recently read an essay entitled “The Cross and the Machine” by Paul Kingsnorth, a novelist, essayist, and poet from Ireland.  He tells of his coming to Christ after living as an atheist in modern England.  He found that freedom meant “to give up your will and follow God’s. To deny yourself. To let it come. I am terrible at this, but at least now I understand the path.”

Kingsnorth’s final paragraph expresses well the choice before all who live in modern cultures devoid of the sacred story.  “In the kingdom of Man, the seas are ribboned with plastic, the forests are burning, the cities bulge with billionaires and tented camps, and still, we kneel before the idol of the great god Economy as it grows and grows like a cancer cell.  And what if this ancient faith is not an obstacle after all, but a way through?  As we see the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit, of choosing power over humility, separation over communion, the stakes become clearer each day. Surrender or rebellion; sacrifice or conquest; death of the self or triumph of the will; the cross or the machine.  We have always been offered the same choice. The gate is strait and the way is narrow and maybe we will always fail to walk it.  But is there any other road that leads home?” 

I am reminded of the words from the prophet Jeremiah, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” (Jer. 6:16).  Our cultural narrative, if not critically discerned, can become like a slow-growing spiritual cancer, affecting our walk with God.   Kingsnorth maintains that the ancient faith (Christianity) should not be seen as an obstacle, “but [rather] a way through.” Yes, you can navigate through a dry and thirsty land with Jesus.  It will not be easy but will save your very soul from the machine of modern life.  

We have a choice. Jesus says to us, “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14 NET).  Kingsnorth wonders, “…Is there any other road that leads home?”  Men, Jesus is the way back.  I love the quote from Meister Eckhart, “God is at home.  It is we who have gone out for a walk.” 

Jesus wants us to know that in choosing him we will regain our soul and find our true self.  “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.  You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.  Don’t run from suffering, embrace it.  Follow me and I’ll show you how.  Self-help is no help at all.  Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.  What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?  What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matt. 16:24-26 – Message). Men, don’t let yourself be lost in the modern machine. 

We have to ask ourselves, “What will it be?” Surrender or rebellion; sacrifice or conquest… the cross or the machine?  Take 3-5 minutes to be silent before the Lord.  Ask him to reveal an area in your life that is too little Cross and too much Machine… and what to do about that…

Judy and I have developed the rewarding habit of walking the Paul Bunyan Trail each day. It is built on an old railroad bed that takes us into the woods, giving us a real sense of being with the Lord in nature. We are blessed as we share these little journeys together.  God has given me a wonderful soulmate to walk with through life together.

Often we meet new people on our walks.  In particular, one man (David) has become a new friend to me. David has been going through some significant trials over the past year. But his experience has “awakened” a fresh, new openness to the work of God in his own heart.  What a joy it is to meet a man whose “spiritual receiver” is pointed upward, not bent inward or toward things below.

The metaphor “On the Trail” came to me while writing a note to David.  In him, I have found – on the trail – a male spiritual companion.  This reminds me of the early church.  As believers increased and became more visible in the culture, they became known as “the way.”  We read in Acts 19:9, “…Some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the way.”  Later we are told, “About that time there arose a great disturbance about the way (19:23).”  Paul in his preaching, further acknowledged, “I persecuted the followers of this way to their death” (Acts 22:4).  

Men, I hope you have other brothers on the trail with you, with their spiritual antennas open to the Lord, who are walking in “the way.”  Men tend to be Lone Rangers when it comes to the spiritual life.  But I must warn you: don’t become a casualty in the coming days.   

You could very well become wounded warrior – or worse yet, missing in action, taken out by the enemy of your soul.  You are going to need support to stand firm in the spiritual battle that is coming.  Paul exhorts us, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the evil day comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

Be vigilant: don’t be taken out by wounds to your soul.  Our enemy works in the hidden life of the soul; in those areas of our inner being buried out of sight because we find them hard to manage.  Our spiritual self-improvement projects will not bring healing to these wounds of the soul.  Men need each other to fight this hidden battle.  The enemy wants to isolate men by enticing them to live life superficially.   

Just for example, how do men deal with pornography?  This curse on our culture is “taking out” a lot of men.  Their thought lives and imaginations have crippled the vitality and light of their witness.  They live in shame and frustration, while pretending to be clean, pure and upright before the Lord.  These men need other warriors who can help with mending their “broken” and “fractured” hearts.  Beyond that, it could be lustful thoughts, anger, unforgiveness, baggage from the past, whatever…  So find a soulful man, a brother in the Lord who is strong and courageous enough to fight the inner battles with you.  

As David, my friend said, “Imagine no lifeline wandering in spiritual darkness, sinking in a runaway ship, no one to pray for you.  God, thank you for bringing a spiritual counselor, whose faith and knowledge opens closed doors.  A light at night whose finest day is yet unknown.”  Thank you, Lord, for my new soulmate. 

Like many of you, my bride and I engage in pillow talk as we drift off to sleep.  It typically covers a wide array of subjects.  Never are the conversations very long since we’re both usually tired.  On one particular night, though, my wife simply stated, “You really have been changing.”  I was totally caught off guard. 

So, of course, I asked, “Where do you see that happening?”  Below is a summary of what she said.  And while it is positive, it also reflects where I haven’t been at my best: 1) being more sensitive, 2) willing to help more, 3) putting her down less, 4) offering more words of endearment, 5) telling her she’s needed in my life, and 6) more willing to seek forgiveness. 

That was the list volunteered by my wife. Your wife’s list might be very different from mine.  But hopefully we’re all in the process of becoming more of who we ought to be as husbands and life partners.  Men, this comes after 55 years of marriage. But our recent pillow talk was like “honey” to my soul.  “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Prov. 16:24).   

When someone close offers unsolicited feedback regarding positive relational change, it tastes like honey. Why?  Because it was the Lord working in our lives, bringing the change, without our awareness that we’re really making progress.  That, men, is real change. 

On another note, here’s a short list of what I still need to continue working on with my bride: 1) justifying myself, 2) tending to blame, 3) ignoring her, 4) doing things out of my own strength, and 5) being insensitive to her emotional needs.  What’s on your list?

Here are five challenges in my spiritual life that I now see are helping me become a better husband, even after all these years.

First, becoming more aware that Jesus is at the center of all my life, beyond all the clutter and distortion.  Col. 3:3 tells us, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Thomas Keating observes, “Instead of going away, God simply moves downstairs, so to speak, and waits for us to come and join him.” I am often reluctant to go into the basement because of all my dirty linen.  

Secondly, knowing more that I am accepted and loved even at my worst. “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.  If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (I John 4:18 NLT).   Because I am loved, I can come out of hiding and lovingly engage with my wife. 

Thirdly, allowing my diseased attitudes and distorted images to be brought into the light.  I need to see them for what they are and how they affect my relationship with my wife. 

Fourthly, learning to share what comes into awareness without having to dig up the past, but rather acknowledging what is right before me.  It may not make sense to my male understanding, but I need to say what I am experiencing here and now.  My wife needs to hear it, because she has felt the effects in our relationship. 

Fifthly, and most importantly, confessing my sins to Judy and seeking her forgiveness.  I do this by praying with her, so she can forgive me and I can hear her declare that I am forgiven.  Men, we are not very good at forgiving ourselves. It is a real release to hear it from your wife.   

Men, when we look for signs of God’s displeasure with our declining culture, a recent tweet from the ALCU gives one pause: “On International Women’s Day, here’s your reminder that trans women are women.”  This proclamation declares that a biological man who thinks himself to be a woman is, in fact, a woman.  In a follow-up tweet, the ALCU then says almost in defiance to any opposition, “No one gets to tell us what it means to be a woman.  Not our bosses.  Not the government.”  “So, take that!” is the inference.  In response, Glenn Stanton notes in The Daily Citizen™, “What we have going on here is a redefinition of the word and its redefiners are being dishonest about this fact.  The trans prefix itself proves the point. It…literally means “Not a female, but feels he is.”  Even though the Oxford English Dictionary defines a woman as an “adult female human being,” the ACLU wants to reserve the right to define transwomen as women.  But as Stanton states, “They do not have the right to change that important and fundamental definition for everyone else.”  He ends by saying, “To resist their efforts is called reason. Calling it transphobic is not a counterargument.  It’s just name-calling.”

Men, this is an attempt to change our view of reality by simply stating a woman can also be a man.  The ACLU’s statements attempt to create an “objective” view of reality – but they fall short. The written Word of God offers a different view of reality: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Tim. 3:16-17).  

“The word Paul uses indicates not that Scripture itself or its human authors were breathed into by God, but that the Scripture was brought into existence by the breathing out by God” (Bible Speaks Today).  Simply put, these are the words God has given us to live by.  Jesus himself declared, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 3:4).  I well remember memorizing these passages in the early 1960’s while attending a Bible school in southern California.  Little did I realize how important my commitment to making the Scriptures the final authority in all matters of faith and life would be.

My wife and I survived the turbulent 60’s, began our family, and ministered as a clergy couple for 40 years. Through it all the Bible has been a reliable guide, giving us a clear view of reality in a growing spiritual wasteland.  For 55 years, Judy and I have committed to learning and teaching Scripture.  As Isaiah says, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). 

I humbly encourage you to make the Bible your “go to” on all matters of faith and practice.  After following the Lord for over 60 years through some significant cultural upheaval, I challenge you to: 

• First, submit your thinking to the authority of Scripture.
• Second, integrate and apply Scripture to your life.
• Third, check all other views of reality against what the Scriptures teach.

The more I dig, the more I explore the claims of other religions, and the more I seek the God of truth in the midst of it all, the more I find that the scriptures reveal truth, and it is the truth that sets us free.