The Times They are A-Changin'

I can't think of a better way to kick off this publication but to quote Bob Dylan's 1964 anthem:

The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964)

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

Forty-one years later, it's just as pointed as the day it was written. History is moving and, as they say, "Lead, follow or get out of the way."

U-571 and the Call of Duty

Joseph got me this movie for Christmas a couple of years ago. One of the things that impressed me in watching and re-watching it has to do with a pivotal scene near the end of the movie where a young crewman is ordered to swim in the bilge to shut off a leaking air valve which is endangering the whole crew.

As you will recall, young Lt. Tyler (portrayed by Matthew McConaughey) has been turned down for a promotion to skipper his own boat because his senior officer is unsure the younger officer can make life or death decisions on behalf of his subordinates when it is crunch time.

As the story develops, he is thrown into the position of skipper in the heat of battle when his own skipper is killed during their mission. In the ensuing attempt to get the boat and crew to safety, Tyler finds himself facing the demons that the older skipper warned him of. The situation with the leaky valve is one of the make-or-break decisions that "gel" him as the commander. After a failed attempt to find the valve, the young seaman complains to Lt. Tyler that he "can't do it." Tyler responds that he has to do it, that the lives of the entire crew depend on him doing what was ordered. I very well remember Tyler's order for the seaman to get back in the bilge and "do your job." The seaman obeys and his courage ends up saving the crew, though it cost him his own life in the process, drowning in the sub's bilge.

Duty has lost favor in our "do what floats your boat" world. Christians bend over backward to stress that we obey Jesus "because we love him... because we want to, not because we have to." I have heard duty talked down as a proper motivation for a follower of Jesus. In Jesus' world, love involves duty. It does not exclude it. Perhaps it is because of the absence of duty that today's "love" is so shallow.

U2: Still Humming After All These Years

I can remember hearing a young new band from Ireland years back and being intrigued by their sound. One of the intriguing things to me, as a musician, was how they effectively re-defined the guitar-bass-drums trio sound.

I had always been left a little empty by the previous heavyweights in that genre - Cream and the the Jimi Hendrix Experience, later the Band of Gypsies. Their guitar-driven sound was fronted by what was then considered "superstar" guitarists with decent chops as solo players, but the sound was thin and empty. It 's hard to have just bass and drums filling in behind a lead guitar excursion without sounding anemic. (I later had a trumpet-bass-drums bop trio named Boplicity-- even more difficult to get a "fat" sound! Ooof!)

Reading some bio material at http://www.threechordsandthetruth.net -- their beginnings were pretty rough. I even read there that they gave up trying to be a cover band because they were not good at it. So, they worked on writing their own material and, as they say, the rest is history.

The Edge's guitar work, which he described as "doing the work of two," was - to me - a major factor in their unique sound. It must be said that neither he nor any of the other members of the band are "virtuouso" musicians, but they are the typical "sum is greater than the individual parts." Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton lay down a solid bottom end while The Edge "does the work of two" on the guitar, with arpeggiated sweeps, lots of upper neck chording with inversions putting the fifth or third on top, ringing suspensions and choppy rhythm strumming with lots of effects. Plus, Bono is truly a fine front man, again, not a great singer as singers go, but just the right stuff for the band's chemistry.

Lyrically, U2 seems to have captured the spiritual yearnings of the last twenty years. I wonder if that, in part, is what has contributed to their longevity.

As U2 tours the US promoting their newest CD "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" -- in your opinion, what makes them resonate with their vast and diverse audience for twenty-some years? What has been the secret of their success? Leave a comment and let me know!

Tolerance is a Two-way Street

I read a very interesting commentary today. It was relating to the hoo-haa surrounding the supposed desecration of the Quran. Interestingly enough, it was written by a muslim from Saudi Arabia. The gist of the commentary was this: Despite all the carping about the supposed lack of tolerance shown by red-state Bible-thumpers, this muslim said he could go to any number of bookstores here in the states, buy a copy of his holy book (the Quran) and read it here, there... anywhere in this country without so much as the slightest bother. Turning the tables, he said that in his home country, no one can purchase or possess a non-muslim holy book, such as the Bible. It is a crime. He recognizes the hypocrisy.

Before we mindlessly blather about how narrow-minded the right is, we need to pause for a reality check.

So What's The Difference?

I have seen a very interesting commercial for, 7-Up I think, where someone comes up to the snack counter and asks for a specific sparkling lemon-lime beverage (we'll just assume it's 7-Up due to poor memory) and the counter person says "We have Sprite... it's all the same." He then draws a Sprite and hands it to the customer and says, "That's a dollar." The customer wittily pulls out a small coin -- dime or penny or something -- puts it on the counter and says, "...it's all the same."

What a beautiful illustration of the fact that we may think and talk relativism, but in real life, we don't buy it.

We may think and say "whatever... one way is as good as another" but we know better.

Philippians - Being Right-Minded

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Being “right-minded”: We have a choice about what we think on, what we read, what we watch and listen to. Our choices in these things matter much in experiencing God's best. A lot of the time, we -- sort of mindlessly -- ingest whatever is playing. Don't be mindless. If you want God's peace, dwell on the things this verse says and forego the mediocre.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Being “right-minded”: Guarding our minds by not bearing our own burdens. Take every need to God or you will be eaten up with overwhelming needs.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Being “right-minded”: Ah, Euodia and Synthche. These women obviously had some differences that they let come before or pre-empt the same-mindedness that God desires. They needed to put aside their differences and look out for each other.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Being “right-minded”: Having the temporary and the eternal in right perspective. Anyone who trades the eternal for the temporary is a fool. Earthly life and responsibility is not “bad” versus heavenly things “good”. That is Platonism. Rather, the issue is not banking on the temporary. Instead, use it for the eternal.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Being “right-minded”: Mature thinking is not “having arrived.” It is continually growing and never going backward.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Being “right-minded”: Credentials are okay. They're not bad or evil. I wouldn't want an uncredentialed brain surgeon operating on me. However, credentials only go so far. They are, in Paul's words, rubbish (literally dung) in comparison to a right relationship with God and experiencing, not just knowing about, his life and purpose. To be right-minded, keep it in perspective.

Philippians - Being Right-Minded

Phil 2:25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Being “right-minded”: Example two - Epaphroditus. He risked his life to be the Philippians' servant to Paul in Paul's time of need.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Being “right-minded”: Example two - Timothy. He was like-minded with Paul (and Jesus) in that he didn't seek his own, but was concerned about the good of the Philippians. He served Paul the way Jesus served his Father.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Being “right-minded”: Did Jesus complain about what he had to do? Do we trust that what God is working out in our lives is good? Don't be a whiner!

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Being “right-minded”: Supreme example number one is Jesus. When we talk about being one-minded, or ask whose “one mind” to centralize on, let His mind be in us. His mind was to not hold on to what was rightfully his at our expense, but to lay it aside and give up his life for our good. He had lowliness of mind in regard to Himself and looked out for others.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

Whose “one mind” do we centralize on? Mine? The preacher's?

2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, (and there is), if any comfort of love, (and there is), if any fellowship of the Spirit, (and there is), if any affection and mercy, (and there is), 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Being “right-minded”: Full joy comes in us being like-minded, one-minded, of one accord, but this does not mean being cookie-cutter copies of each other. Looking out for others' interests does not have anything to do with embracing others' affinities, as in affinity-based groupings in the church. It has to do with seeking the well-being of others, as in “love your neighbor as yourself”. It involves lowliness of mind in regard to yourself and looking out for others.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 1: 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Being “right-minded”: Life is not about “me” it is about Christ. Our goal is not to escape or abandon. As long as He wants me to labor, I want to be here at the plow.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Conventional wisdom says, “How can being 'tied down' allow for furthering the gospel?”

Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

We think that responsibilities and such keep us from being “free” to serve God.

Being “right-minded”: Paul says that (to quote Romans) God causes all things to work together for good.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Reading the book of Philippians several times recently, I was thinking about the general "message" Paul was communicating to the believers. I landed on the characteristic of being "right minded" or as he says in several places, of one mind, like-minded, of one accord, and so on. I had a chance to speak about this book to a church gathering and will break it down over the next few postings.

Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul's prayer was the their love would -> overflow -> in knowledge and discerment in order to -> approve excellent things with the effect of being -> filled with righteousness fruit.

Being "right-minded" is a result of love overflowing and results in right living for those around you.

What is "Grace"

This question was asked to a group of men this morning and the chorus of replies was typical: "unmerited favor." This may be true in part, but real grace has a purpose, a thorough definition of which can be found in Titus 2:11-14. It is as follows:

v12 - Grace not only brings salvation, unmerited as it is, it also teaches us to deny, to say "no" to, ungodliness and worldly desires. It teaches us to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age. You might say, grace does not just give to us, it expects something from us. If we think not, we are not talking about the grace of God that is defined here.
v13 - It also teaches us to look forward to the return of our King, Jesus.
v14 - Using a modern paradigm, grace is "purpose driven". Jesus gave himself for us to "redeem us from every lawless deed", to "purify a people for Himself that is zealous for good works." If our "grace" isn't about purity and zeal for what is right, it is not the grace of God. His grace is an enabler.

Another less common definition of grace is the "power and desire to do what pleases God". That comes closer to the purpose-driven grace of Titus 2:11-14.