Where my mind goes
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, a few events that may - in the long lens of history - be HUGELY significant have passed, almost unnoticed. While I'm not sure how God views some of these things, I do try to evaluate them in light of a Biblical world view.
The first one that imaged on my cultural radar screen was The Manhattan Declaration. It is a "call of Christian conscience" in three areas: sanctity of marriage, sanctity of life and religious liberty. It is striking for two reasons: (1) it unites Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Christians and (2) it specifically wrestles with the issue of civil disobedience.
After you read the Declaration it is worth your time to read Bishop Harry Jackson's commentary.
The second event that set off my cultural radar was an event in Houston. It is the story of someone trying to do right, out of what appears to me to be an explicitly Christian conviction. Read the story of Hannah Overton here. For an evaluation and commentary from a specifically Biblical world view, read my friend Michael Craven's commentary here. As an aside, if you're still searching for a way to take care of your year end giving you should consider supporting his ministry in some way.
So why is this where my mind goes - especially on Christmas Eve? Because if the cultural tide keeps pushing against weak willed and Biblically uninformed "Christians", I can envision a time in the not too distant future when there will be a "winter solstice bush" in the public square, with ornaments celebrating all things "green" and unoffensive to everyone.
In the meantime, I'm going to pick up a few last minute things, then go to church tonight for a communion service. I'll read Luke 2 and probably overindulge on a birthday cake for Jesus - a Cole family tradition for some 50 years.
I will celebrate and follow the news - as important as the news from Omaha Beach on D-Day - that two millennia ago the counter-invasion began. I will contend for the good that the birth of the Messiah brings.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The first one that imaged on my cultural radar screen was The Manhattan Declaration. It is a "call of Christian conscience" in three areas: sanctity of marriage, sanctity of life and religious liberty. It is striking for two reasons: (1) it unites Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Christians and (2) it specifically wrestles with the issue of civil disobedience.
After you read the Declaration it is worth your time to read Bishop Harry Jackson's commentary.
The second event that set off my cultural radar was an event in Houston. It is the story of someone trying to do right, out of what appears to me to be an explicitly Christian conviction. Read the story of Hannah Overton here. For an evaluation and commentary from a specifically Biblical world view, read my friend Michael Craven's commentary here. As an aside, if you're still searching for a way to take care of your year end giving you should consider supporting his ministry in some way.
So why is this where my mind goes - especially on Christmas Eve? Because if the cultural tide keeps pushing against weak willed and Biblically uninformed "Christians", I can envision a time in the not too distant future when there will be a "winter solstice bush" in the public square, with ornaments celebrating all things "green" and unoffensive to everyone.
In the meantime, I'm going to pick up a few last minute things, then go to church tonight for a communion service. I'll read Luke 2 and probably overindulge on a birthday cake for Jesus - a Cole family tradition for some 50 years.
I will celebrate and follow the news - as important as the news from Omaha Beach on D-Day - that two millennia ago the counter-invasion began. I will contend for the good that the birth of the Messiah brings.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Glad to know the tradition goes on.
I wonder if Matt is thinking of it.
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