Everyone has been left shocked and heartbroken by the recent tornado in Moore, OK.  Meteorologists have said this tornado was about a mile wide, traveled 17 miles on the ground, and produced winds up to 200 mph, making this tornado an EF4 (and these numbers may increase).  From the immense damage to structures to the deaths of 24 people so far (including 9 children), this has been a horrific event.

Strangely, as I was hearing reports, seeing pictures, and watching videos of this tragedy, a specific song kept repeating in my mind.  The song is one many teens have sung called, “I Am a Sheep.”  This might seem like an odd song to be thinking of at a time like this.  However, the specific phrase that came to mind is the chorus, which says, “And when the winds blow He is my shelter, and when I’m lost and alone He rescues me.”

In Oklahoma, people took to shelters and looked for safety when the tornado sirens began to blare.  Some found protection, but at least 24 did not.  When the winds begin to blow, even if it is in the form of 200 mph winds from a tornado, faithful Christians can take comfort in the fact that they are spiritually sheltered even when physical shelter is no where to be found (Psalm 91:1-4).  Many people are lost, missing, and alone in the wake of this tornado.  Even though we might be physically lost and alone, faithful Christians can take comfort in the fact that we have been rescued spiritually (Colossians 1:13-14).

This song came to mind because it describes the wonderful feeling of comfort which comes from a relationship with God even when tragedy is happening around us.  Let’s be sure to pray for those affected by the recent tornadoes.  However, let’s also use this event as a reminder that there is no greater shelter and protection on earth than being “in Christ Jesus” and “clothing ourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).

It looked like your average Indoor Football League touchdown.  At the goal line the ball was handed to running back R.J. Rollins.  After scoring, Rollins began running over to his sideline.  Dave Brumagen, the opposing team’s coach, ran across the field to Rollins and viciously shoved him to the ground (Watch Here).

It is still unclear what drove Brumagen to attack Rollins.  It could be that he just didn’t like Rollins.  Maybe Rollins did something to anger Brumagen in the past.  It’s possible that Brumagen had been building anger against Rollins for some time.  No matter the reason, the coach clearly reached his breaking point and lashed out in childish anger.

Hopefully we never let our anger reach the point where we physically attack someone.  However, people often hold grudges and let negative feelings boil up inside.  The longer we hold on to these feelings, the more our anger and hatred can grow until we end up lashing out.

Sadly, our world often seems to turn a blind eye to anger.  Perhaps this is partly why anger is called a “work of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-20).  In Brumagen’s case, he received a little slap on the wrist in the form of a $500 fine and a 4 game suspension.  As Christians, we are called to a higher standard in regard to anger.  Jesus showed us different levels of sinful anger (Matthew 5:22-24).  Scripture elsewhere tells us to get rid of anger in our lives (Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:31-32).  We are also told not to be angry in a sinful way and not even “let the sun go down on our anger” (Ephesians 4:26).

To put it simply, we need to quickly take care of any anger and quarrels we have with others.  If not, it could lead to a multitude of other sins.  Let’s not be a people of anger, but instead be the exact opposite.  Let’s be people of patience, kindness, forgiveness, and even people who give “gentle answers” to turn away wrath in others (Proverbs 15:1).

A story is told of a mother who once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death.  “But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.”  “But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied.  ”Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.”  “Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son (Luis Palau, Experiencing God’s Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984).

This story very well describes what mercy means. To put it simply, mercy is not getting the punishment we deserve for our actions.  There was a time when we were all in the son’s shoes.  As soon as we sinned we fell short of God’s glory and we stepped into a place where we deserved death.  Death was the “wages” that we earned through our poor decisions (Romans 6:23).

Thankfully, God decided to have mercy on us.  As Titus 3:5-6 says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

What an incredible blessing it is to receive mercy when we deserved death for our sins!  Let’s be all the more dedicated and diligent to live a life close to the Lord.  We owe Him our lives; it’s what He deserves from us.

It’s official, Jason Collins has announced he is gay.  This makes him the very first active NBA player to do so.   Collins has been in the NBA for many years and is currently playing with the Washington Wizards.  Since his announcement, Collins has received a huge amount of support and praise.  The NBA commissioner said,  “We are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”  Michelle Obama exclaimed, “So proud of you, Jason Collins!  This is a huge step forward for our country.  We’ve got your back!”  Collins’ team, the Washington Wizards, stated, “We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly” (Yahoo).  TV analysts, radio anchors, announcers, and many other players have all be singing praises to Jason for his decision and lifestyle.  Many have been labeling his announcement as courageous, bold, and brave.

Is it really appropriate to call Jason Collins’ announcement “courageous”?  In other words, if someone announced to the world they were an alcoholic, a rapist, a drug addict, or a pedophile (with absolutely no desire to change their ways), would it be right to call that announcement courageous?  While it certainly would be difficult to make such a statement, the word “courageous” applies to something that is heroic, valiant, and admirable.  No sin has the right to claim these wonderful attributes.  And homosexuality is most definitely a sin according to God (Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Leviticus 18:22, 29; 20:13; etc).  Jason Collins’ announcement may be many things, but courageous is not one of them.

Now let’s take a look at a statement that is truly courageous.  Chris Broussard is an ESPN analyst and writer.  Here was what he said on live TV about Jason Collins:  “I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle…If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that’s a sin.  If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality…I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ” (ibid).

First of all, ever since Broussard made this statement, he has been heavily criticized.  Many are trashing Broussard and even calling for him to be fired.  ESPN responded to Chris’ statements by saying, “ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins’ announcement” (Hollywood Reporter).  Second, and most importantly, what Chris Broussard said about homosexuality is completely accurate with Scripture (Look at the Scripture references above).

There is no telling what the repercussions will be for Chris Broussard.  He may lose his job or just some people’s respect.   No matter what happens, Christians should be applauding and supporting such a bold proclamation of God’s truth.  What Chris Broussard did can truly be labeled as courageous.  Even though so many around him disagree and have attacked him, he stood for what was right.

Let’s also have the courage to stand up and boldly speak the truth about homosexuality (Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-10).

What touching photos these are.  It is heart wrenching to think about how much Luca desires to do these things but is unable to do so.  There so are many in our world today who are paralyzed or are suffering with various kinds of disabilities and problems.  Many years and millions of dollars have gone into research to find cures and fixes for today’s aliments.

It is for this reason that verses like Matthew 4:23-24 are so incredible: “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.  The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them” (emph. mine).

No disease or physical problem was ever too much for Jesus.  He was able to heal every single person that came to him!  If this still happened today, people all over the world like Luca would be desperately searching for Jesus to be healed by Him.  While it is sad such cures are unavailable today, there is good news.  God is preparing a place where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

No matter how large or small our problems are here, none of them will carry over into heaven.  Let’s make sure we are living according to God’s commands so we can partake in this wonderful prize!

If you’re anything like me, it gets confusing when people start throwing out “ism” and “ist” terms (i.e. realism, dispensationalist, existentialism, pragmatism, etc).  Sometimes one of these confusing words is “Legalist.”  Typically this word is used as an insult when one person thinks the other is being overly stern and unfair with the commands in the Bible.  They use this insult to say that one is making laws where the Bible hasn’t.  They may not realize it, but they are misusing and misunderstanding the word “legalist.”

To put it simply, a legalist is one who closely follows the law.  In regards to the Bible, a legalist would be someone who closely, even strictly, follows the commands in the Bible (The Free Dictionary).  So, this definition would make men like Paul, Peter, Moses, and even Christ legalists!  These were all men who tried hard in their lives to follow and enforce the commands from God.  Sometimes they even did so in a strict and firm fashion (Matthew 21:12).

We are living in a time when both culture and religion are becoming excessively relaxed and liberal with laws and morals.  Think of it this way, a hungry and ferocious lion is chained up with an unbreakable leash.  The leash represents our “laws and morals” and the lion represents the consequences of bad decisions.  Strangely, what is happening in our society, and in congregations, is not only an attempt to lengthen the lion’s leash, but to get rid of the restraints altogether!  The problem is, the more we let out the leash, the more the lion will attack.  In other words, the more prevalent crimes, sins, and immoral activities will become.  1 Peter 5:8 talks about Satan being like a “roaring lion seeking someone to devour.”  The way we are told to resist him is to “stand firm in our faith” (vs. 9).  In a similar fashion, Ephesians 6:10-18 says to equip ourselves with the armor of God.  One piece of this armor is “the shield of faith.”  Having faith and being faithful requires one to be morally upstanding and a follower of God’s commands.

In 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Paul made some statements that would probably be very unpopular today.   He says, “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”

Culture and religion are trying to let out the lion’s leash on some of the exact things God condemns in this Scripture.  One of the causes of this leniency is a fear of being too strict or being a “legalist.”  Even though legalism has gotten a bad reputation, what we desperately need today are more morally upright and law abiding people.  We need people who are going to stand for what is biblically right, even in the midst of name-calling and disapproving glares.  Let’s make the decision to be law-abiding, morally upstanding, and Bible obeying Christians–just like Christ.

A little boy put his hand into an expensive Chinese vase and quickly discovered he was stuck.  He tugged and jerked but his hand wouldn’t budge.  He cried out and soon his parents were doing all they could to get the boy’s hand out.  After exhausting all ideas, they decided they had to break the vase.  They carefully chipped the vase away and immediately realized why the boy’s hand was stuck in the first place.  The boy’s hand had been open when he put it into the vase, but now it was in a fist which tightly clutched a penny.  In childish ignorance, he didn’t want to let the penny go to free his hand (SermonIllustrations.com).

Many aspects of our world are appealing and draw us in.  The problem is that many try to live a life dedicated to God and a life of sin at the same time.  Like the boy clutching the penny, we simply cannot live a righteous life for God until we let go of our sinful lifestyles.  Christ put it simply, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24).

The lesson for us is very simple and clear.  We must chose whether we are going to dedicate ourselves to God and serve Him, or to live in sin and selfishness.  If we choose to live for ourselves and in sin, the reward will be equivalent to a shinny penny.  If we choose to live for the Lord, the glory and riches will be well beyond what we can comprehend.  We can’t have both ways; we can only choose one.  When we make the choice, hopefully our words will echo Joshua 24:15, “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

At one time or another we have all experienced some type of burning feeling.  Maybe it was when we touched a hot stove, sipped a scalding drink, stayed out in the sun too long, or played with fire.  Sometimes we even feel burning sensations when we eat spicy food.  Whatever the cause, the burning feeling is no fun at all.  For this reason, scientists were especially curious when they discovered an animal that doesn’t feel certain burning sensations.  This animal is the naked mole rat.

Several years ago, researchers accidentally discovered naked mole rats didn’t have something called “substance P.”  To put it simply, substance P is a compound that sends signals of burning pain in our nerves.  Since naked mole rats don’t have substance P, they don’t feel pain from burns but will from other injuries.  For example, they feel pain from pinching, prodding, and other physical injuries, but can’t feel pain from acid or the burning sensation from chili peppers (BioEdOnline.org).

What makes this ability especially interesting is the fact that naked mole rats live in underground boroughs with high levels of carbon dioxide.  Living in places with high levels of carbon dioxide (as high as 10%) causes acid to build up inside the body tissue and is painful for most animals.  If the air we breathed comprised of just 5% carbon dioxide, we would feel a “sharp, burning, stinging sensation in our eyes and nose” (LiveScience.com, “Immune”).  In other words, the naked mole rat is designed specifically to live in places with high carbon dioxide without feeling any pain.

Not only are there high levels of carbon dioxide inside the boroughs, but often very low levels of oxygen as well.  If we breathed the same oxygen levels as the naked mole rat we would quickly sustain brain damage (LiveScience.com, “Oxygen”).  The reason they are able to live in such terrible air conditions is because they breathe less frequently and use about a third less oxygen than other small animals like mice.  This gives the naked mole rat the ability to function more than six times longer with low levels of oxygen than mice and other animals (ibid).

Even though they aren’t much to look at, naked mole rats are some of the most incredible animals on earth.  It’s clear that these little rodents were perfectly made to survive in some of the worst air conditions.  With so many complex and unique characteristics, we have to ask how they could have evolved these abilities?  Evolution simply does not offer specific answers and clear facts.  Naked mole rats, like many other animals on the earth, prove that God planned, designed, molded, and created everything.

Not only do the words of Nehemiah 9:5-6 speak the truth about creation, but they also tell us what our response should be: “Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever!  O may Your glorious name be blessed
 and exalted above all blessing and praise!  You alone are the Lord.  You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to all of them 
and the heavenly host bows down before You.”

May we always praise and glorify God, the Designer and Lord of all creation!

The Supreme Court justices are meeting to decide on the definition of marriage.  They are ruling specifically if two homosexual people can legally marry in the state of California.  However, the impact of this decision could ripple far wider than California.  If the justices choose to do so, they could eliminate every law and restriction on gay marriage throughout our nation (FoxNews.com).

Maybe this is pessimistic, but if the Supreme Court does not change the definition to legalize gay marriage this time around, it will only be a matter of time before homosexuals can marry in every state in America.  The reason this is the case is simply because the push for homosexual marriage is worldwide, not just in the United States.  Eleven countries have already legalized same sex marriage (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden).  Laws allowing gay marriage have been proposed, are pending, or have already passed in at least one legislative house in Andorra, Columbia, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.  In the United States, nine states have already legalized gay marriage (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, and Washington).  For these reasons, the United States and many other countries will likely change the definition of marriage and legalize same-sex matrimony in the near future.

Even though this may be eminent, there is one extremely important point to remember and it is this: It doesn’t matter what any man, any judge, any state, and any country says about the definition of marriage, God has already given the real definition of marriage and it will not change.  The real definition God gives for marriage is this, “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).  In other words, God designed marriage to be exclusively for a man and a woman.  But if this isn’t clear enough, then let’s consider some other biblical proofs:

• God gave Adam a woman (Eve) to be “a helper suitable for him,” because clearly no other creature, even another man, was fitting for this role (Genesis 2:18, 21-24).  Verse 24 tells us the role God was referring to was marriage.
• The only marriages found in Scripture were between men and women (Genesis 7:7; 11:29; 24:67; 29:28; Exodus 4:20; 1 Corinthians 7:2; and many, many other examples).
• The only marriage advice given in the Bible is for the relationship between husbands and wives (Proverbs 12:4; 18:22; 31:10-31; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1; etc).
• The only instruction on divorce is for husbands and wives (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; etc).
• Not even one approved homosexual relationship, or even one piece of advice specifically for homosexuals, can be found in Scripture.  In fact, the Bible clearly and adamantly condemns homosexuality (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18:22, 29; 20:13; Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Jude 5-7; etc).
• The human body is only physically compatible with the opposite gender, making homosexuality abnormal.  Scripture also identifies homosexuality as unnatural (Romans 1:26-27).  Homosexual relationships cannot produce children and have been proven to shorten the lifespan and spread certain diseases (LifeSiteNews.com; Time).
• Scripture even reveals that people are not born as homosexuals and can change if they choose (1 Corinthians 10:13; 6:9-11, “such were some of you”).

Our culture is changing.  Nevertheless, even if the United States and every country in the world legalizes gay marriage, it will not change the actual definition of marriage.  The Lord God is specific and clear that the only approved marriage is between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:5).

Austin Whaley thought his little stunt would be funny.  He walked into a local bingo hall and shouted, “Bingo!”  Many of the patrons and elderly women present did not appreciate the teen’s hubbub and ballyhoo.  Unfortunately for Austin, there was also an off duty security detail present who cited him for disorderly conduct (KETV).

A month later Whaley came before a judge who passed a rather unusual sentencing, “Do not say the word ‘bingo’ for six months” (ibid).  If Austin does not comply with the punishment, he could be facing 90 days in prison and a $250 fine.  If he obeys, the charges will be dropped.  While this situation was silly and mostly harmless, in some people’s minds Austin crossed the line with his joke.  Some people, especially those in the bingo hall, didn’t find his actions funny or amusing at all.

Most people enjoy laughing and joking around, but sometimes we can take it too far.  Ephesians 5:4 says, “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  Colossians 3:8 instructs, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

The question is, what do some of these terms mean?  Should we never joke?  When can having fun and joking around go too far?  Let’s briefly define what these Bible terms mean.

• Filthy Talk: This is language that is crass, crude, and obscene.  Examples of this kind of speech include cursing, inappropriate sexual talk, and crude humor.
• Silly Talk: This is language that is foolish and moronic.  This is the kind of joking and unbridled speaking one would expect from a drunk or a fool.  This also includes those who are wise in their own eyes and reject wisdom.
• Coarse Jesting:  This is off color humor and inappropriate jokes.  This would include jokes about immoral activities (sex, drinking, drugs, etc), racist jokes, and any other type of joking that is vulgar and crude.
• Slander:  This is using words to damage someone’s reputation and character.  Examples of this include gossip, telling lies about someone, and saying things that defame and hurt someone (even if joking).
• Abusive Speech: This is speech that hurts, demeans, and discourages others.  Some examples included put downs, insults, sharp comebacks, angry words, and speech that humiliates.

We must be very careful with the words we use (Ephesians 4:29).  As a rule of thumb, if something we say demeans or insults someone, involves bad words, uses inappropriate sexual talk, or includes off color jokes, then we are crossing the line (even if we’re just joking).  There’s nothing wrong with good-natured jokes and having a good time, but we must be careful not to take it too far.  Let’s never allow the words and jokes we say damage our reputation and character as Christians (Matthew 26:74).