What Is The Divine Love Theory?

Well, there’s a pretty simple answer . . . and a very complicated one. This book, fresh off the press from Kregel Academic, dives into the complicated intersections of theology, philosophy, ethics, and (perhaps most importantly across disciplines) metaethics on the issues of “What is love?” and “What is the source of morality?” Best (and last) of all, it’s a book on apologetics: “If there is objective moral truth, then the trinitarian God of Christianity is the best explanation of such truth.”

If you believe that last statement, then you may not need to read this book unless.

Unless you have analytical, skeptical friends who want to argue with you about things like whether or not God exists and whether or not there is objective moral truth, or—what is love, anyway?

Okay, so you know your Bible: “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and since He’s the creator and sustainer of the universe (Colossians 1:17), He is definitely the legitimate and wise source of objective moral truth and the moral obligations we’ve been given as humans (Psalm 111:10). Check. Check. Check. BUT, we arrive at all these conclusions by our rock-solid faith in the Scriptures. What about those who don’t believe that the Bible really is the perfect, pure Word of God gifted to us because God is love and He loves us? What about the billions of people who don’t understand that the moral code God has instilled in our hearts and via biblical revelation is for our own good and happiness?

Okay again. I hear you. People won’t ultimately understand this until they become Christians, and studying a book of apologetics might make us brilliant debaters, but it’s not really going to bring anybody to saving faith in Christ per se (which is what we all hope for . . . along with the eternal life they’ll receive). True enough. When my father was starting to consider Christianity after a sixty-year hiatus, it wasn’t because I was winning our religious arguments (and there had been many over the years), it was because he sensed that I truly loved him. His first comforting comment to me was, “I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a Christian, but if there is, you are.”

We can’t argue anybody into heaven, but we can love them, and that’s all God tells us to do! John 16:8 makes it clear that it’s the Holy Spirit who ultimately convicts people of sin and their need for salvation. We can’t “save” anybody. People are born spiritually dead and although they have to be born again to see the Kingdom of God and understand spiritual realities (John 3:3,7), no brilliance on our part is ever going to be the key to unlocking the kingdom for them. Right? It’s the Holy Spirit rebirthing them by grace through faith: a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). Their faith, not our insight. Humility, not pride. Love, not opposition. God wants us to love and pray. But, we can pray for God to give them the gift of faith, and we know that “whosoever will” can be saved (John 3:16).

It’s also true that a part of loving is trying to understand our loved one’s honest questions and looking for honest answers. It doesn’t hurt to understand the philosophical underpinnings of our faith if we can. Faith comes by hearing and understanding the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The Bible also says to study (2 Timothy 2:15). I think Adam Lloyd Johnson does a beautiful job of defending his theory that the loving relationships between the persons of the triune God is the most reasonable explanation for the foundation of moral values and obligations that we see in the world around us.

His long, carefully crafted lines of reasoning are beyond the scope of this post to summarize in any sort of meaningful way. He’s unraveled and woven together hundreds of threads. So, I can’t condense his book into nine easy take-home points, but I can encourage you to study his “divine love theory” if you’ve seriously puzzled over how the moral code we all experience has come to be. Why is it that humans seem to have some universal dos and don’ts? Why do we all know what’s “good” and “bad”? Mass shootings, rape, stealing, kidnapping—no society approves such actions against their own. I remember visiting South Africa’s Soweto, notorious as the source for much of the crime in Johannesburg. When I asked the tour guide, “Do they also rob each other blind?” he shook his head. “Everybody has their own code. You rob others, but not your own, and if you try, the neighbors know. They have their own system for justice, and they watch out for each other.” I’ve read that’s largely true of gangs too.

But I digress. The point is, misshapen and corrupt as it often is, human societies invariably have moral codes. I think the question isn’t, “Do all humans have a universally agreed-upon moral code?” but “Do all humans universally have moral codes?” The answer to the second question is “Yes.” Where did that sense of right and wrong come from?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15).

The Hiding Place: Thirty-Two of Corrie ten Boom’s Wisest Sayings

One of the greatest examples of forgiveness in modern times comes from the life of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who worked with her family to rescue Jews during World War 2. Sadly, her entire family was discovered and sent to concentration camps, where most of them died. Perhaps the most difficult part of her incarceration was watching the cruel treatment of her sister Betsie (who was frail) by SS officers.

I suspect one of the hardest “victories” in Corrie’s life was returning to Germany after the war was over and extending forgiveness to two of the officers who had been responsible for so much of her suffering at Ravensbrück Concentration Camp.

If you’ve never read or watched Corrie’s story, The Hiding Place (1975), I highly recommend it. (It’s PG but I think too harsh for young children.)

After the war, Corrie became a humanitarian worker, author, and world traveler (to 60 countries) teaching about the love of Christ, which makes forgiveness and salvation possible. She is still venerated today for her great wisdom, so I would like to share a few of her most famous (and wisest) sayings:

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word” (Psalm 119:114).

Commencement Addresses: Short, Sweet, Powerful

It’s never too late to hear wise words from great people, so even though spring graduation ceremonies are past for 2020 and we’re on to summer fun, I thought you might appreciate short excerpts from two of the most inspiring commencement addresses I’ve ever heard. The first was given by Lou Holtz, coaching icon from Notre Dame, and the second by line backer Rick Rigsby. His story is mesmerizing, memorable, and brought tears to my eyes.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste‘” (Isaiah 28:16, ESV).

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21).

God’s Not Dead

Speaking of confusing light and darkness:

If you’re struggling over whether or not to believe in God, I’d like to recommend the series of movies God’s Not Dead, God’s Not Dead 2, and God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.

God’s Not Dead came out in 2014 and got such a poor rating (4.7) that we didn’t watch it, but we watched it this past week and realized that the movie is actually excellent, and I’m convinced the low rating is simply a reflection of Hollywood and movie critics in general disliking Christian themes and material.

The first movie contains some helpful information concerning the origins of Earth and the universe and a clear gospel message.

God’s Not Dead 2 takes us to a courtroom, where a high school teacher is charged for answering a question about Jesus in her AP history class.

In this movie, Lee Strobel and Jim Wallace, both capable defenders of the Christian faith, show up on the witness stand. I’m in the midst of listening my way through Warren’s fascinating series on Christianity, written from his perspective as a cold-case detective on the Los Angeles police force, so I’m doubly a fan.

In both movies, the Newsboys make appearances, sharing faith and singing. If you’re not familiar with the Newsboys, they’re a Christian rock band from Australia that’s released 17 albums, 6 certified gold, and their catchy, clever lyrics have been captivating kids since 1985.

According to Wiki, Michael Tait (who now leads the Newsboys) “expressed excitement about the film to The Global Dispatch during an interview, saying that ‘The movie is powerful because of the whole stance of it…just trying to prove God’s existence…sharing the gospel, living the lifestyle, changing the mindset of people around them in this college, in this university’.”

“Duncan Phillips added in a similar interview that ‘Disney’s Shane Harper plays a college student whose faith is challenged by his professor, played by Kevin Sorbo from Hercules.

Dean Cain from Superman is in it, too. So we got to hang out with a bunch of superheroes. The movie raises a lot of questions and a lot of eyebrows from a culture that questions if there is a God’.”

So, the acting is excellent, the message is great . . . what’s not to love? I guess only the fact that the movies stand up for Christ and the Gospel in the midst of a culture that has become often openly hostile to people expressing their faith in Christ.

In God’s Not Dead 2, the lawyer (played by Jesse Metcalfe) points out that the term “separation of Church and State” is not in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. In fact, it first appears in a letter sent by Thomas Jefferson to a baptist congregation, explaining that they should have no fear of signing America’s formative legal documents because they guarantee religious freedom—which is the right for people to practice their religious faith without persecution. (Many of the first pilgrims came from Europe because they were persecuted for their faith in their European settings.) Somehow, America has inverted freedom OF religion to mean freedom FROM religion by excluding any and all religious expressions (at least Christian religious practices) from public spaces.

Talk about failing to discern right from wrong and good from evil!

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-SGMedia-sgmedia_maps&hsimp=yhs-sgmedia_maps&hspart=SGMedia&p=YouTube+of+Newsboys+singing+God%27s+Not+Dead#id=1&vid=a7050881d924e6935fde015b424c214c&action=click

God’s Not Dead Composed and Sung by The Newboys

“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness” (Luke 11:35)

Meditating on the Commands of Christ (63): Forgive and Be Forgiven

As 2019 draws to a close, I can’t think of any commandment more appropriate than Jesus’s teaching on giving and seeking forgiveness: “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). What a perfect way to end the year! Some people never reconcile with those who have offended them; some wait until they’re on their deathbed or at the funeral of a mutually beloved family member. But, what a waste! Why not offer and receive forgiveness before the year dies rather than waiting until WE die?!!

There are many diverse opinions out there on what it actually means to forgive, but I believe the one from Wikipedia is right on: “Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as resentment and vengeance (however justified it might be), and with an increased ability to wish the offender well. Forgiveness is different from condoning (failing to see the action as wrong and in need of forgiveness), excusing (not holding the offender as responsible for the action), forgetting (removing awareness of the offense from consciousness), pardoning (granted for an acknowledges offense by a representative of society, such as a judge), and reconciliation (restoration of a relationship).”

Here are some wise insights from William P. Young’s The Shack: “Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person’s throat……Forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established………Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation.”

If you wonder whether or not you’ve really forgiven someone, test yourself with these questions: Do I still erupt in anger when I remember the event(s)? Do I truly hope the offender will recover and become a trustworthy person, or am I more focused on wanting the person to be exposed, brought to justice, and punished? Am I willing to accept their confession and request for forgiveness, or do I refuse to believe they’re sincere?

If you’re struggling to forgive anyone, please understand that God tells us to forgive—not on the basis of the offender’s worthiness or repentance—but based on God’s willingness to forgive us for our sins: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus instructs us to forgive, not only for the sake of the offender but also for our own emotional health and healing. It’s not just the Judeo/Christian heritage that promotes the value of forgiving others either; it’s a part of every major religion! Even among the non-religious, there are literally thousands of quotes about forgiveness, In fact, there are 3012 quotes on Goodreads alone! (Here’s one of my favorites: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”― Mark Twain. Talk about a good, challenging resolution for the New Year!! 🙂 )

Below, I’m sharing seventeen of my favorite quotes on forgiveness. I hope you’ll take time to pray your way through, asking the Lord to help you forgive anyone against whom you are still holding a grudge. Before this year ends, may we all be free from the bondage of unforgiving hearts!

(Photo credit for first photo: “I Will Give You Rest,” by Yongsung Kim, used by permission of Havenlight.com .)

Leaving Mormonism but Growing in Grace

Although I virtually never read books that counter other religious viewpoints, I have begun reviewing books for Kregel Publications. I think they produce some outstanding Christian resources, and their recent release, Leaving Mormonism: Why Four Scholars Changed Their Minds, intrigued me. The few Mormons I know are clean living and service-minded. In fact, there are many Mormons who serve in our military, and my military kids have become good friends with several because of their moral standards and family values. Therefore, I wondered why four Mormon scholars would take such a strong stand against the teachings of their church.

When Mitt Romney was campaigning for the Republican presidential ticket, I remember sharing the gospel with a Mormon gentleman on a flight home from the West Coast. He expressed such warm agreement that I assumed the Mormon church must have changed a lot in the past forty years. Perhaps it wasn’t a “cult” after all. Perhaps it’s just another branch of true Christianity. Or, so I thought!   The book is deep and wide. I was blown away by how much I didn’t know. Each of the four scholars trace their own life experience of loving the Mormon Church  (some whose lineage can be traced back to the times of Joseph Smith) but growing into such an appreciation for the Bible as the true Word of God (which they go to great lengths to support) that they could no longer believe Mormon doctrines. Why? Because at their heart, many Mormon teachings run contrary to what the Bible says. Consider just a few essential doctrinal contradictions:

“The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself” (Brigham Young).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (The Bible, Revelation 4:11).

“The Spirit of God fell upon me to a marked extent and the Lord revealed to me, just as plainly and the sun at noon-day, this principle, which I put in a couplet: ‘As man now is God once was; As God now is, man may be'” (Lorenzo Snow, Latter Day Saint (LDS) apostle and prophet for three decades).

“…we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge” (The Bible, 1 Corinthians 8:4-7).

A “plurality of gods exist…There is an infinite number of holy personages, drawn from worlds without number, who have passed on to exaltation and are thus gods” (LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie).

“And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he” (The Bible, Mark 12:32).

“One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation” (LDS apostle and prophet for four decades, Spencer W. Kimball).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As Cory Miller points in the book, “One can be wrong on every other nonessential Christian doctrine and still go to heaven. But no matter how sincere one is, if one is wrong on the doctrines of God and salvation, one could be sufficiently wrong to lose one’s soul. In this Mormonism does not provide a path to the reality of the good life, eternal happiness in the knowledge of God.”

Leaving Mormonism not only lights the way for understanding the clear teachings of the Bible about the person of God and the way of salvation, it’s also one of the most scholarly books I’ve read in recent years on apologetics,  defending of the authenticity of Scripture and the reasonableness of faith in God no matter who you are. So, if you are a Mormon, love a Mormon, or are interested in sharpening your own spiritual sensibilities, please consider reading Leaving Mormonism!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (1 Timothy 2:15).

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

 

Moral Equivalence and Becoming a Moral Racist

“If certain acts of violation of treaties are crimes, they are crimes whether the United States does them or whether Germany does them, and we are not prepared to lay down a rule of criminal conduct against others which we would not be willing to have invoked against us…We must never forget that the record on which we judge these defendants is the record on which history will judge us tomorrow. To pass these defendants a poisoned chalice is to put it to our own lips as well.” (Justice Jackson, spoken at the Nuremberg Trials)  There’s been a lot of commentary in the news lately about “moral equivalence”…or a lack thereof. For example, I’m morally superior to a racist, because the racists are wrong. Right? And, I can break the laws in order to stop the racists from their immoral behavior. Right? Wrong!  The world around, one of the greatest causes of war is racism and believing that one race or group of people (“mine,” no matter who “mine” is) is superior to another. Those of us who profess to be non-racists may get caught in the trap of becoming moral racists…myself included!  It’s all too easy to believe we’re better than someone else. As Christians, do we think we’re morally superior to other religious groups because we keep the Ten Commandments or follow Christ? Those of you who are atheists, do you think you’re wiser than religious people because you don’t believe in “superstitions” about God? Those of you who are agnostics, do you think you’re intellectually superior, since no one can really prove or disprove the existence of God through philosophical debate?

I heard a message at church last Sunday about the fact that we need to discern between good and evil. Our culture’s moral relativism  has euphemized “evil” into “poor choices” or taken away the blame for sin altogether by labeling it mental illness. (There is true mental illness, but not all inappropriate and/or sinful behavior can be excused as simply mental illness.) We need to be willing to recognize evil for what it is and stand against it. I totally agree.

The Bible is crystal clear about two things:
1. God individually created and loves every person. We have different gifts and weaknesses, but we are all equal in our person-hood and needs. We have all descended from one source: G0d, who created Adam and Eve, from whom the rest of us descended as blood relatives. We can fuss and fume over who’s “best,” but the fact is, regardless of our race, we all share the same blood line!
2.  Each of us has a selfish, sinful nature, also inherited from Adam and Eve.  Regardless of our religious convictions and desire to be and do good, we all stand before God as sinful, morally inadequate, and in need of a Savior: “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:9-10). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:7-9).  So, are any of us morally superior to others? Not in the ultimate sense. Some people have character as stalwart as Job…like a mighty mountain! Others are probably as devoid of moral fiber as the vast emptiness of the Grand Canyon. But, none of us compare to God in moral perfection. Job’s mouth was stopped when he caught a glimmer of God’s majesty. It is only through Christ, the God-man who alone lived a sinless life, that we can be reconciled to God and have true brotherhood restored: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Ephesians 2:13-14).  In all the debates over moral equivalence, let’s remember that at best we are all only sinners saved by grace. Even if our cause is right and just, we are never above the law; we always need to obey the laws of God and government, working humbly within the system to honor God and serve man. I think the prophet Daniel is a worthy example for us. Jesus is our perfect example. May God be honored by all we do and say. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:3-8).

(All photos taken on my last trip to Berlin, although the one inflammatory banner was related to the Charlottesville debacle.)

 

 

Zootopia: Can Utopian Dreams Come True?

By now, probably everybody and their bunny have seen Zootopia, but it was so cute that I want to write about it anyway in case you missed watching because you thought it was just a Disney movie for kids. It is that, but Zootopia is much more. It’s complicated, and I think it will be a classic.

Zootopia looks into racism and stereotyping, and there’s definitely a call to understand and value everybody, whether they’re rabbits or foxes, but the overarching theme is about living your dreams, and that’s a salient topic for all of us regardless of our age. The question it raises is: Are you willing to live your dream, even though it’s going to be hard?

Am I? Are you? What is your dream? Have you thought about it lately?

Recently, I’ve being conversing with a friend who’s been dear to me for over 45 years. Not long ago, he left his wife to begin a new life. “Coming out” I think it’s called. Because this person (and his wife) mean so much to me, I’m trying to understand what motivates such behavior.

Although I might be wrong, my guess is that most of us who are in heterosexual relationships and have been married more than a few years have gone through one or more cycles of feeling like the marriage was no longer (or perhaps never) fulfilling, and that life might be greener on the other side of some fence. I’ve heard people joke that married people are like flies: Those who are in want out, and those who are out want in.

I am thankful for my marriage, and I don’t mean to disparage marriage, but I will say that I’ve struggled a lot at times in my marriage, and if I thought I could somehow (anyhow) absolve myself from my commitment to marriage, I’m sure I would have quit at some point along the way. Marriage is tough. It isn’t always fulfilling. It’s probably never “the dream” that we imagine it’s going to be before we get married.

If we want to “live the dream,” then we’d better make sure our dreams are rooted in reality, and we need to be visionary so we can recognize our dream when it’s broken and becomes a different stained glass design from what we imagined. In a zootopian utopia, perhaps a bunny can become a cop (especially if teamed up with a wiley fox), but in this world’s present dystopia, I think the only implausibly possible dreams that come true are those backed by the steady hand of God, who can actually make “all things possible.”

Got a dream? Can you open your hand and give it to God? If it’s a good dream, He can make it come to life. If it’s not a good dream, He can help you let it go and show you the dream He’s dreaming for you. His dreams are best anyway! May we search and find the place where our dreams meet God’s dream for us.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).

 

How to Win

So, if war and overpowering other people isn’t the way to “win,” what is?  As Zig Ziglar would say: “If you’re like me, you’ll jump at the chance to bypass all the churning and scoop the cream right off the top. And that’s what quotes are…the cream of our learning.” Therefore, today I want to  share a few quotes from people I actually know who are really winners in my book (and if you find yourself listed, I hope you don’t mind!), although I’ll end with words of wisdom from some of the world’s better known (though not better) “winners”:

“Wherever you are, be all there.”~Rick Larman, my pastor for 20 years

“The holy life, I have found, is often a moment by moment, day by day battle to choose faith of fear, trust over tears and God’s will over our own.”~Lynn Hanthorn, missionary and long-time friend

“That’s what I hunt for each day. People to love.” ~Tom Benedict Sr., friend’s husband (and yes, of course, my friend too!)

“Right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than wrong triumphant.” ~Brad Powell (pastor of my daughter and son-in-law’s church)

“Life is blessedly short…but the I’m looking in the wrong direction, huh? With all that is in me I will press hard into our Gracious God, and find my life and joy in Him!!! And look for His dreams! I’m now on one journey I wish He would end, but then, where is faith that He is making more room for Himself in our lives? And making Himself appear ever more beautiful in our understanding?? I covet fleeting happiness, when I should be searching for joy in Him everyday!!! Bless the trials!!” ~Maggie Donahue, friend

“Love God, and love everybody else; but love God the most.” ~Stephen Armstrong, son (on his 28th birthday recently, when we always ask the birthday person to provide some “words to live by”)

And, here are some winning words from world-famous sages:

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” ~Albert Einstein

“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” ~William Penn

“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” ~Mother Teresa

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” ~Carl Jung

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ~James Barrie

 “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~Nelson Mandela

And, this is a long one, but I think it’s terribly profound:

“[There is a] kind of all-embracing universality evident in Mother Teresa’s prayer: ‘May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.’ Not just fellow nuns, Catholics, Calcuttans, Indians. The whole world. It gives me pause to realize that, were such a prayer said by me and answered by God, I would afterward possess a heart so open that even hate-driven zealots would fall inside… [My] sense of the world as a gift, my sense of a grace operative in this world despite its terrors, propels me to allow the world to open my heart still wider, even if the openness comes by breaking—for I have seen the whole world fall into a few hearts, and nothing has ever struck me as more beautiful.” ~David James Duncan

“There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. For they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness.” ~Charles Spurgeon

“The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished.” ~King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:11-12, the Bible

2016 Academy Awards: When is it Time to Say “No”?

When I was a little girl, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe were my ideal for what women “should” be. That lasted until I gave my life to Christ at age 12, and then I traded Hollywood’s Hall of Fame for the Bible’s Hall of Faith and began looking to women like Sarah, Mary, and my Sunday school teacher for modeling. However, Hollywood continues to have a huge influence on the current generation, so I’ve tried to keep abreast of what’s available to find the best that can be culled from their mammoth industry for my own growth as well as to recommend for others. To this end, I read up on films that are highly acclaimed, but this year’s list of Academy Award winners left me feeling quite discouraged. I’ve already written about Bridge of Spies, which I think is a fabulous movie, but the only other “winner” that I’ve personally seen was The Martian, which was nominated for several awards but didn’t win any. In fact, I’ve seen a number of excellent movies that came out in 2015, and I want to share some more of them with you ASAP, but this morning, I just want to grieve a little aloud and encourage you to resist the temptation to watch a movie simply because it’s “highly rated” or all the buzz. If a movie is R-rated (as almost all of this years winners are), then it contains contaminants for the mind and heart. God calls us to purity and teaches us: “ I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19, NIV). According to the reviews I read, one of the winners sounds like only thinly veiled pornography. Another film, which won the academy award for best picture and is based on a true story, addresses the crucial issue of child molestation, but I would still caution potential viewers to consider that the scriptures teach us: “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them [evil doers] in secret” (Ephesians 5:12). So, even if those who prosecute child abusers need to bring the facts to light (and I’m thankful they do), I believe God warns us against immersing ourselves in graphic descriptions of evil. God has given us the gold standard for filling our mind, and it’s basically what is both true and good. Let’s not lose sight of that vision, even during our times of relaxation, because anything we allow our minds to consider should definitely edify us—build up our souls and spirits—, and no amount of education and/or entertainment alone should be enough. After all, would you rather end up like Marilyn Monroe or Mary, the mother of Jesus?“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).