Okay, I’ve had enough.  Time to write about this.  Today on MSNBC it features a family that is waiting for the end of the world tomorrow.  The kids recount the story of their parents who have quit work and have dragged them from state to state preparing people for the end of the world on May 21.

I have also seen similar stories on many other news outlets.  Most secular media view this as another cockamamie prediction from fearful Christians.  The word I would use would be “misguided.”

To be sure, all Biblical Christians believe that Jesus indeed is coming back!  Come on, you can’t read the Scriptures honestly and not come to that conclusion.  And it is hopeful for Christians!  Jesus is restoring his people – and indeed all of creation (Romans 8:22).  I know that people who are not Christ followers consider all this in the category of fairy-tale.  But Christians throughout two millenia have “longed for His appearing.”

But the Bible is also so clear that nobody knows the day or the hour (Matt 24:36).  To use the theological word, the return of Jesus is “imminent.”  This means that it is sure to happen, and could happen at any time, but is not yet.  Christians are simply called to “be ready.”  Christians are called to lead their lives in order that we would have no regrets if Jesus returned soon.  And perhaps this is why Jesus had so many stories he told about kings who left only to return and find their “employees” lax and non-attentive to the king’s business (parable of the Faithful Servant, Luke 12:35-48).

Harold Camping is the man behind this latest push to declare the exact day of Christ’s return (May 21 which also happens to be my anniversary).  Believe it or not Camping has been wrong before!  How does the man have any followers?

I found this very through and detailed response about Camping and this prediction put out by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.  The article is called “Camping’s Folly.”

If you are a Jesus follower, be ready for the return of Jesus, but not with wild-eyed predictions like this.  Be ready with a life of faithful love of God and your neighbor as yourself.  If you are not yet a follower, we Christians do have a message for you.  It is not about wild predictions, but rather an invitation of love.  God wishes to re-establish relationship with you.  And this is through his loving son who gave up his life so you could have real life.  This is the same Jesus who will return one day to reclaim his own, and yes to judge the world as only He can.

Let’s be ready.  But ready the right way.

I had a really exciting week.  My church is currently working on some long-term planning to learn more about our unique calling for Edmonds and the surrounding areas.  Twelve members from my church have formed the “Vision Pathway Team,” and we will be together for prayer, discussion, and planning until October.

One of our first steps was to interview strategic leaders from our city. We scheduled interviews with city officials, members of police and fire, educational administrators, and business leaders.  The team flat “got after it.”  They were motivated to hear these leaders.

We asked all leaders three questions and then let the discussions go wherever they naturally led.  We asked all the people interviewed:

1. What three words would you use to describe the city?
2. How is the city changing?
3. How do you think a church like ours could help (bless) the city?

We were flat blown away by the reception.  Overwhelmingly positive!  And so, you’ll see below the top 10 observations I made about our city and some of the problems and opportunities that exist.

1. The economic downturn has created pressures and stresses that have made people more open to work together (including help from the church). Budgets are shrinking. What worked before does not now. Help from volunteers is essential, and many leaders are eager for help. Our perception that help would not be accepted from the church is dead wrong.

2. Edmonds has an aging population and the city is struggling with ways to provide them services. Over the years, the city has largely focused on providing services for children and families, but with the population aging, they are seeking new ways to care for older adults. Needs like transportation, activities, and social issues for seniors are paramount.

3. The city is largely defined geographically by those living “in the bowl” and those “on the hill.” If you live here, this is well understood. Those “in the bowl” are perceived as long-term residents, more connected, more affluent, and whiter. I wonder how these two groups need each other?

4. The city is dominated by two groups (old guard and new guard) that are in a stalemate over their views for the future. People “know” the city must change, but many wish to hold onto the past. Issues of vision for downtown dominate. But the dinosaurs are dying which will ultimately open the door for change.

5. A growing segment of children in schools face economic hardships. There are currently seven kids at a local high school who are homeless, and the school has not had to handle these issues in the past. Many other children face ongoing hunger.  The school needs help with many economically disadvantaged children.  There is also a need for ongoing mentors and educational helpers.

6. School officials claim that increasingly people don’t just want the school to educate their children, but also to “parent them.” Some children are not receiving much parenting at home. Thus the expectation that the school will “do it all.”  With parents feeling pressures like never before, how can they be helped to gain skills, time, and motivation for the high calling of being parents?

7. Many city officials struggle to form alliances and unify to reach strategic goals. Some officials voiced the observation that government is hunkered down with less ability to join arms to solve long-term city issues.

8. Officials very rarely speak with churches and the perception is that churches don’t work much together. Many people did not know CCF even exists! Also, officials wish that churches could join together to help solve some of the larger city issues.

9. People move to Edmonds with expectations that it may be a utopia. Whoops. That land does not exist! And so disappointment sets in when the city does not provide what everyone wants or expects.

10. Partnerships are ripe for being formed. How exciting!  This is ripe time for the church if she will step forward in faith.

On Tuesday, I got a special treat.  I was invited to tour the USS Abraham Lincoln stationed in Everett, WA.  The program was sponsored by the US Navy’s chaplain department as a way to link arms with local pastors and ministries.  This is the first time I have ever been on a Navy ship.  I got to go right to the granddaddy of them all, a flat top.

As you might imagine, nothing can prepare you for the size of an aircraft carrier.  It is nearly 1100 feet long, that’s three football fields!  More than 3,000 sailors make this home when they set sail.  It really is a floating city.

I was so impressed with every aspect of the boat and the crew.  These folks knew their stuff, and they were kind and gracious.

There are many stories from the trip, but let me share just two.  First, we got to go to the spot on the ship called the flotsam.  I’m no Navy guy, but my understanding was that this was the part of the ship that housed the chain used to secure the ship.  I was blown away to learn that every link of the chain you see in this picture weighs 360 lbs.  Each link of that chain is the size of a lineman in the NFL!  And did you know that a carrier does not have an anchor?  They just drop down so much chain onto the bottom of the ocean that the chain itself acts as the anchor.  And maintenance.  Wow.  There is a whole segment of the crew who simply care for that chain, removing the debris and repainting it religiously.  The ship does not operate without this important ability to stabilize and moor the ship.

Okay, second thing.  They also took us on quite a tour of the deck.  This is the spot where they launch all the planes.  Of course, they were not launching while we were there, but they told us quite a lot about it.  In this picture, you see one of the cables that catches one of the FA-18s that land on the Lincoln.  They told us that they replace that cable every 100 catches.  In order to secure the safety of those pilots, they don’s skimp on replacement.  Every 100 catches and you get a new cable.  Can you imagine the cost of that alone?  Bottom line, it costs money to do things that are important to the country’s defense.  And it costs money and resources to do important things in our lives too.

Okay, final picture.  I got this picture of me sitting in the captain’s chair in the bridge.  I was a bit surprised that they gave us free reign to look at everything in this nerve center of the ship.  I was a little reluctant to even sit in that chair until they encouraged me to do it!

I tip my hat to all the personnel who are in our armed forces.  It is a sacrifice that I respect and admire.  Their team work and determination is also something that all Americans could learn from… and emulate.

An autonomic response is one that happens involuntarily or automatically.  Two weeks ago, I talked about such a response that happens to most of us in Costco.  And this response is so revealing about our underlying sense of hurriedness in life. I said,

Think about what happens when you step into Costco or the grocery store. You come to the checkout and you scan the lines. You look automatically for the shortest line.  After choosing one and settling into the line,  you mentally watch a person who comes up seconds after you and chooses a different line. And then the race begins. You are watching their place in the line and your place in the line with the hope that you have chosen wisely. If they get through first, then you are bummed that your line has “taken so long.” And you might even have a grudge at this point with the worker who is scanning items. And heaven forbid if someone has to run for a price check. We are like, give them the item for free… just keep this line moving.

A friend of mine, Libby, emailed me with her own observations about when to go to Costco.  Thanks Libby for this perspective from a mom with young kids. She said,

I just wanted to point out to you that no longer do I compare if I have chosen well. I know I have. My many years of Costco shopping with screaming kids caused me to do a bit of research. I started timing and charting the different checkers and tabulating who was sucking up my precious time. Here is what I learned in my research:

• Do not get in line with a new checker who you have never seen before. Newbies are no good!

• Do not get in a line where the checker is making conversation with the shopper. The Russian man is capable of talking and checking but the rest of them are not. Especially stay away from the women who do this!

• Anyone wearing a red vest is a quality checker and their sole purpose is to lessen the lines. Go with them even if the person in front of you has a full basket.

• Finally, go to Costco during dinner time or cocktail hour. People are not there and the lines are short. Never go on the weekend just pay more and go to Cash & Carry!

And there you go.  It seems inbred within us to save time.  With our Easter focus called Recapture Easter, I’m asking “save time for what?”  I know I am compelled to save time, but I stand quite convinced that often times I’m saving time for things that don’t register as very important.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

I am super pumped for something happening at my church.  My staff and I developed a concept leading up to Easter called Recapture Easter.  In essence, it is a path to help us prepare our hearts before the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

We have noticed that Easter has nearly become a forgotten holiday.  It has barely any “build-up.”  At least Christmas still has hoopla.  And people still do office parties and there is caroling in the malls.  Not so with Easter.  We get the push of chocolate bunnies and spring dresses, but it is pretty much just one day.  It has boiled down to another day at church followed by a meal with family.

We believe that the resurrection of Christ is a much bigger deal, and worthy of more of our attention and focus.  Thus the entry of Recapture Easter.

Recapture Easter has four components.  They are withdraw, reflect, review, and pray.  Each week families are called to do portions of each of these.  Each of these format an important leg inviting us to slow down and truly reflect about God’s story in our lives.

To follow along, go to our church web page that has all the important downloads.

Friends of mine know that I really like hummingbirds.  In fact, I’m one of the guys that keeps a feeder out all winter.  I recently read that Anna’s hummingbirds are now wintering in the Seattle area because so many people are putting out feeders and planting shrubs that flower in the winter.  It has actually changed their migration pattern!

Anyway, I was outside today.  Doing a little yard cleanup.  I have one beautifully colored fellow that stands on a branch like a sentry.  Hummingbirds are highly territorial.  So he was just guarding the spot where he knows food is readily available.  And I have watched him run off other birds that try to use “his feeder.”

So I am outside, and all of a sudden I hear a “chirp.”  And I watch him hover about 20 feet over my head.  Periodically he would dive and give out a “chirp.”  It was his warning sign that I was getting too close to his feeder.  He was warning me to get away.

Here’s this little bird that weighs about as much as a big paperclip, and he is attempting to shoo me away.  What’s more, he had no idea that he was attempting to drive away the very hand that feeds him!  The hand that keeps him alive in the cold of winter.

Made me wonder how many times I act like that with God.  How many times I look at what God is doing and shake my head with misunderstanding.  Or worse, I try to drive Him away.  Like the hummingbird, I do it with the best of intentions.  I think I am guarding something of great value.  And perhaps I don’t even recognize that it is God.  Much like the hummingbird, I attempt to sever the my very lifeblood.

I will not be driven away.  I will continue to feed the little guy.  He just brings me joy, and I can’t help myself from liking him.  My Father treats me with the same affection.  He cannot help Himself from loving me for Christ lives within.  The little bird will never comprehend the grace afforded him, and likely neither will I.

Right now, I am preaching through the book of Judges. Amazing stories!  Reminder of God’s perpetual grace to His people and desire for them to fully trust and follow Him.

I would like to feature some of the extraordinary art that has been created to tell the story of the Judges.  When I started a search on this topic, I could not believe the volume and quality of the art.  So I will begin in the early chapters of Judges and move forward.

Enjoy!

Judges 1 - Judah tortures Adoni-Bezek

Judah learns from the surrounding nations.  They not only kill enemy kings, but mutilate them in the process.  This was never prescribed by God in the law.  Perhaps it sounded like a “better idea?”

Painting by Gerard Hoet, 1728

Judges 2 - Angel at Bokim

The angel appeared to the Israelites at Bokim, meaning place of weeping.  The angel announced that God had kept his covenant since bringing His people out of Egypt and into the promised land.  But they had continued to disobey and eagerly run to the altars of foreign gods.   Yahweh tells them that he will now let them have a full taste of these foreign deities.  They will learn what it means to have them as “thorns in your sides” (2:3).

Painting by James Tissot.

Judges 2 - Israel before foreign gods

Israel constantly ran to worship foreign gods breaking the first and second commandment.  “You shall have no other gods beforeme.  ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below” (Ex 20:3-4).

Painting by HG Riviere.

Judges 3 - Othniel, the first judge

Othniel is the first judge.  What makes him so remarkable is that he is what you would expect a liberator to be!  Strong, noble, obedient.  Judges after this will not appear to be nearly as “tidy.”

Judges 3 - Ehud kills Eglon

Eglon the king from Moab was allowed to overtake the Israelites persecuting them for 18 years.  Ehud, the left-handed judge, was raised up to kill fat-king Eglon with a concealed sword.  This story is meant to be a Jewish comedy as Ehud gets past all the Moabite defenses and gives freedom to the Israelites with one swift stroke.

Yesterday, I received an email from a friend about a new pilot program with ABC called “Good Christian Bitches.”  I thought for sure that it was an email hoax.  So I checked online.  Sure enough, ABC is creating this show, although it has not hit the lineup yet.  It is based on a book by the same title and the show reportedly features a recently divorced woman who moves to a Dallas suburb among a gossipy group of Christian women.  It is like “divorced woman meets Desperate Housewives.”  Only it purportedly has a religious edge; and one that puts down the Christian faith through parody.

Below is a letter to the editor that I sent to the Seattle Times.  I don’t know yet if the Times will choose to run my letter, but we will see.

Dear Editors,

ABC News is prepared to air a pilot called Good Christian Bitches.  They fear that the title may be a little offensive so they will shorten it to GCB in a desire to be sensible.

I ask you.  What would happen if ABC promoted Good Muslim Bitches?  Good Chinese Bitches?  Good Jewish Bitches?  They would be slapped silly for being anti-Semitic.  The outcry would have executives’ heads rolling!  So why is it tolerated that they not only create a title but indeed an entire show that parodies the Christian faith with such hate speech and intolerance?

Christians are constantly told that they are so paranoid.  That they are not the target of media insensitivity.  It is interesting to note that the Seattle Times, LA Times, and New York Times have not even deemed this a story worth covering!  We are all diminished through ABC’s blatant slam and act of cheap demagoguery.

Brian Boone, Edmonds, WA

Today in Pakistan, a fellow Christian died at the hands of extremists who wished to silence his voice.  Until today, I did not know the name of the martyr, Shahbaz Bhatti, who held the important position in the Pakistani government as minister of minorities.  So what made Bhatti so hated that people would take his life?  He advocated to change the “blasphemy laws” within Pakistan.  In this country, if people are caught speaking words against the Koran or against the prophet Muhammad, it is punishable by death!  And Bhatti believed that these laws were used to persecute minorities,including many Christians, within Pakistan.

Bhatti had good reason to believe this.  A high profile case involved a simple village woman named Asia Bibi.  This 51 year old woman was working with Muslims in a rural community when an argument erupted.  They claimed that she denigrated the name of their prophet and she is still being detained in a Pakistani prison with a death sentence still pending.  It is these kinds of cases that Bhatti publicly denounced as wrong and unjust.

Bhatti regularly received death threats.  And he made made these eerie statements recently in an interview.

Bhatti was gunned down today by assassins who waited outside his home.  Weeks earlier, Bhatti had asked the government for an armored car and increased security.  They had denied his request.  His killers filled his car with bullets and left leaflets on the ground warning against the overturn of the blasphemy laws.

I thank God for the life of this courageous man.

It is better to die for a cause that will ultimately succeed than to live for a cause that will ultimately fail.