A Christian Worldview from Silicon Valley

“Believe in something bigger” is the California Lottery’s catch-phrase for Powerball.

The commercial does evoke a sense of wonder, as people stare open-mouthed at white balls falling in slow motion everywhere.  But when the punchline of the commercial is revealed as Powerball, I’m thinking, “Is that all?”

When I think, “Believe in something bigger,” I do not think of “something bigger” as a remote chance to win mega-millions, which studies have shown do not affect overall long-term happiness.

When I think, “Believe in something bigger,” this is what I think of:

Isaiah 55:8-9  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Also,

Ephesians 3:17-21  ”… And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

What do you think is something bigger worth believing in?

Today is the 66th anniversary of two historic United States military actions, one of which most Americans know nothing about and one of which is among the best known of all Marine battles. That they happened on the same day, one in relative anonymity and one very much in the public, is both interesting and instructive.

The Battle of Iwo Jima began on February 19 and lasted for more than a month. Near the end of the battle, and contributing not only to that victory but ultimately to victory in the war, an American flag was raised on Mount Suribachi. Joe Rosenthal’s picture of the flag raising is the most reproduced photographic image in history.

Almost 6,800 Marines were killed in action on Iwo Jima, giving the “last full measure of devotion.” On the positive side, it is estimated that more than 24,000 American airmen were saved by their sacrifice.

Half way around the world, on the same day, men from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division were fighting in Italy. The 10th Mountain is the only division sized unit (10,000-15,000) formed specifically for fighting in harsh weather and terrain. These men led the way for brave Brazilian Expeditionary fighters, climbing 2,000 feet at night to assault Riva Ridge, taking out the German artillery that had been entrenched there and winning a battle that was a key in bringing down the Gothic Line in Italy.

Here in Silicon Valley, 66 years later, we have been known to complain when the weather is less than perfect for more than two days in a row, or if we have to take a detour around the route we know best to get a latte at our favorite coffee shop. No one is trying to kill us, and we aren’t climbing a mountain at night to face the enemy, so it is hard for us to wrap our minds around these historic events.

Likewise it is sometimes difficult for us to grasp the greatest sacrifice ever made by one for many, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who climbed a hill called Calvary. He did not plant a flag there, but he himself was raised up on a cross. He did not break through the enemy defense line, but he broke the bonds of death.

I’m confident the airmen who landed on Iwo Jima after it was under American control were thankful that they did not have to ditch their planes and crew into the Pacific. I’m certain the allied forces in Europe were relieved that the last line of defense for the German army in Italy had finally fallen, making the outcome of the war sure and the end near. It is more than fitting that we remember those particular Marines on this particular day, thanking God for those who gave much for us.

And while we’re at it, we might just say a word of thanks for Jesus, who gave his all on his very own mountain.

In a recent WSJ article that touched off a parenting firestorm, Amy Chua writes:

“Chinese parents believe that they know what is best for their children and therefore override all of their children’s own desires and preferences.”

Although I also have Chinese parents, I was raised by a looser standard than Chua’s (my mom does agree no one should play any instrument other than the piano), so I’m more inclined to consider my children’s desires and preferences.  However, I do resonate with parts of what Chua says here:

“…children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences.”

As children grow from being merely incapable of making good choices to sometimes rebelling against good choices, the parent often needs to impose the good choices for a time.  This is common when it comes to health, safety, manners, etc., but it also applies to our spiritual lives.

For instance, some folks want to expose their children to various religions and let them make their own choice.  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  While my children should know that different people have different beliefs, I also want them to know what I believe is the truth, and we have brought our children up to follow Jesus.

The same goes for various spiritual habits, such as going to church, reading the bible, praying (even aloud, even in ACTS format!), contributing to the offering, respecting elders (an important Asian value), and visiting the sick.  How many children, or even adults, find it a challenge to do these things?  But practice and perseverance help us overcome the challenges, and we can be blessed and bless others as well.

As Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

There was a time when baseball had its own season, and so did football and basketball and hockey. Recently all of those overlapped, and all four of those team sports were playing real games at the same time. Like selling Christmas stuff in October, that’s just wrong.

The end-of-the-year holidays in the U.S. used to be more separated—we would finish with one before we started the next. Back then, Halloween came clearly before Thanksgiving, which came clearly before Christmas. This year I saw Christmas decorations, including artificial trees, for sale before Halloween. Thanksgiving, I fear, may get squeezed out all together.

I suppose that makes sense, because the retailers (except grocers) don’t get much revenue from Thanksgiving, so the earlier they can start selling for Christmas, the more revenue they have an opportunity to make.

One thing that hasn’t changed about holidays, though, is that different Christians view them in various, and often conflicting, ways.

The two most important holidays on the Christian calendar, at least from my perspective, are Easter and Christmas. I want to celebrate the resurrection of my Lord, and I also find it desirable to celebrate his birth. Even the world celebrates them both, although the world gives more emphasis to Christmas–especially the whole gold, frankincense, and a shiny new Lexus thing.

There are not a few Christians, however, who perhaps lose much of the joy and opportunity Read the rest of this entry »

It’s nearing Halloween, and I always think of the Charlie Brown special where everyone is excited about getting candy, and Charlie Brown says, “I got a rock.”

Rocks get a bad rap, but they aren’t all bad!  Consider this scripture:

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 
”Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

So okay, maybe rocks are still considered bottom of the heap.  But are we better than a rock?

Lots of folks are quiet at church.  Maybe it’s personal preference, maybe it’s what they consider proper decorum for church.  Silence is golden, that sort of thing… But NOT when we’re praising God!  Worship is not a spectator sport!

Praising God is a good thing to do, most importantly because God is worthy!  For ourselves, focusing on God in praise helps us have a deeper knowledge and appreciation of who God is.  Praising God with other Christians helps us to articulate that praise, and appreciate God from multiple points of view.  Getting comfortable talking about God with other Christians makes it easier to talk about God with non-Christians.  And what do we think we’ll be doing in heaven, anyway?

What’s stopping you from crying out?

Putting a bounty on the capture or destruction of an outlaw is an age-old practice. You can read about it in the Bible, and if you’ve ever seen a “western” movie, you’ve seen wanted posters with pictures of bad guys to be brought in and dollars to be paid.

You probably also know about the bounty for Osama Bin Laden, currently “up to $25 million for information leading directly to” his apprehension or conviction, but you probably don’t know there is an even higher bounty for a much more outrageous middle-eastern cleric.

This one is not offered by the federal government of the United States, it is offered by radical Islamists, and it is for the death of a Christian.

The target is Father Zakaria Botros, an Egyptian who has been exiled for preaching Jesus over the air waves. It is estimated that he is watched by 50 million Muslims each time he is on the air via satellite, and he is on the air almost every day.

Some believe that he is at the top of the Jihadist’s most wanted list, and the price on his head is reported to be $60 million. He says he is not afraid to die, because he knows Jesus Christ, and he cannot and will not stop preaching, because the Muslims need to hear the gospel message. Being a disciple of Jesus well may cost this brother his life, but it doesn’t matter—he’s already given his life to Jesus.

When we count the cost of discipleship, is our math as simple as that?

Arthur was focused.  It was dinner time, and he knew the drill — where the food was, and who would deliver it.  Any twitch by his master towards the fridge provided an eager response from Arthur, who was not discouraged by so many false starts.  He knew he was totally dependent upon his person-master for everything.  But this did not discourage him; it seemed to give him purpose and direction, love and joy and peace.

Then it struck me, if I could be as dependent on God, as Arthur was on his master, how would that change my life?

What if I suddenly realized that every meal was only going to come from one place (God, not the refrigerator)?

What if I suddenly realized that any meaningful loving I craved was only going to come from one place (God, not worldly desires)?

What if I suddenly realized that any joy/peace in my life was only going to come from one place (God, not a temporary escape)?

Arthur put all of his attention, his focus, toward his master.  I suggested that it was as if he was worshipping his master, but that doesn’t quite work, as Arthur really has no concept of a “god”.  But another way to put it is devotion.

Jesus said that to really understand the Kingdom of Heaven, we have to be like / think like little children, be more pure and simple.  I think He might have considered dogs for His analogy, but dogs were such low-life in His day, that probably would have offended His listeners even more!

But today we love our dogs, and they love us.  In fact, I am beginning to realize that we should very much strive to be more like dogs (in the good sense), learning from how they depend and rely on, are devoted to and love their masters.

From here on out, I’m going to try to be more devoted to my Master, like Arthur is to his.  Everything I need comes from my Master.  I only need to turn to my Master for the loving that I crave.  Joy and peace, these too, come from my Master.  God, my Master.

And the best part is, I can worship Him too, because he is my God.  And He is my Father, which makes me His child, and that’s way better than being His dog.  Now, isn’t that cool?

When I went to wash my hands in the restroom of a Chinese factory, the sign above the sink said:  “Perfermance tap, stretched out your hands to effluent, Please do not agitute!” (sic)  In my Japanese hotel room, there was no flush lever on the toilet — instead, there was quite a complex looking control box attached to the wall, all in Japanese (and some cute pictures!) — I’m sure one of these buttons indicated “flush”, but which one?  What if I press the wrong button?  These are silly examples, but let’s face it, the world can be a very confusing place.

How do you react when confusion sets in?  For me, as time pressures rise, my stress rises much more quickly with the amount of confusion, usually making things only worse.

How do you resolve your confusion?  Do you look for a “Good Samaritan” (please help me!)?  Just start pressing as many buttons as possible (just try something — anything)?  Take it out on the offending thing and strike it?!

Jesus’ disciples were confused a lot; in fact, one could consider them confused nearly the whole time they were with Jesus (except for rare divine moments), up until when the Holy Spirit was given to them at a special celebration called Pentecost.  After that, it seemed they were thankfully no longer confused.  (They had their disagreements, but individuals didn’t seem confused as to what they should do next!)

Was Jesus ever confused?  It’s hard to imagine our God incarnate (who made us all!), ever not understanding something.  Yet the thing that confounded Him most was our own thick-headedness.  He would cry out — “Oh you of little faith!”, and  “How can you be so dull?”  Creation didn’t puzzle Him, but people confounded Him frequently!  People confound me, too, so I shouldn’t feel too bad about that.

How did Jesus deal with his confusion?  Is there a lesson here? Patience. And a lot of it.  As Jesus was infinite in everything, He was certainly infinite in patience.  He took time to explain things (again!), and sometimes, when all the explaining in the world wouldn’t work, He just moved on, knowing they would “get it” eventually.

Should the gift of the Holy Spirit clarify everything for us, as it did the disciples?  How I wish it would, and how I wish it did.  Maybe the Holy Spirit doesn’t clarify everything to me because I don’t welcome Him in sufficiently well.  The disciples reacted to that Gift by becoming one purpose, spreading God’s Word.  I reacted to that gift too, but retain many purposes — work, family, home, and oh yes, spreading God’s Word.  Maybe I’d be a lot less confused if I focused more clearly only on God’s will. Maybe then, the Holy Spirit would make clear all the confusion in my life.

When’s the last time you lifted up your confusion to the One who can clarify all?

How is it that, if you build a circle of glass, and add some ice and hockey players on the other side, getting up close to that glass is so desirable it can cost more  $100?  Or instead if you add some water, sea otters, and toss them a few fish, getting up close to that glass will cause families to queue up 30 minutes early?

On the other hand, if you try to pen in an angry bull with a man and a red cape, or if you set a large hoop aflame and jump a car through it, people don’t want to be close at all but stand at a distance with rapt attention from our tense excitement.

But in church, there isn’t a wall of glass separating us from something so exciting to be so close.  And there’s certainly nothing worthy of fearful respect that requires a safety distance.

Really?

Some may argue that there is a difference between entertainment and worship, and I totally agree.  Still, shouldn’t worshipping God generate excitement and fear greater than our man-made creations?

The God of the universe has sacrificed His one and only Son so that He can be near us.  What a little sacrifice is it for us to be “near” to Him?  On the other hand, the Creator is the only One who commands the heavens and earth — certainly power to be fearful, and in awe of.  Anyone in their right mind would give that kind of power a little space.

Maybe God’s too common.  Things that are common in this world (like sand) are worth little.

Maybe God’s too invisible.  What’s the point of being “near” something you can’t see?

Maybe God’s too loving.  With arms as wide open and as big as God’s, who could be afraid?

But isn’t that the point?  He loves us so much, He wants us to be near Him so deeply, and He’s fearfully and wonderfully powerful.  God is all these things, and So Much More.  How much more need we be convinced that God is All?  Better yet, God IS.

When’s the last time you really sacrificed yourself to be near Him?