In listening to the Sports Animal (620 AM), I’ve come across quite an observation: people are sinful, and yet still moral creatures. When there is an absence of a Christian moral worldview, something will come in and take its place. People just can’t go live without some sense of right and wrong. This week Ian Beckles (of Ron and Ian) stated that a man publishing a book relating to OJ Simpson’s malfeasance “actually got some morals, and decided not to publish it.” But that raises a question. How did such ‘morals’ arrive to our ‘door steps’ or who brought them here? It would be interesting to ask these gentlemen (or the millions like them) such a question. Because most people are not amoral (without morals), would they truly be comfortable with an evolutionary model of their morality? Does this observation further affirm our being created in the Image of God?

While the origin of such morality is uncertain, the proverbial police man of this morality is not: Karma, the new sheriff in town. I used to think that the show My Name is Earl was a spoof on reality. But it is really more a crystal clear picture of American culture than a spoof. I hear something like this, weekly, on sports talk radio: “I can’t wait till Karma catches up with that guy for all he’s done!” And so this leaves me with another question: Is it really easier to believe in an impersonal force like Karma that governs and balances the moral order than a personal and relational God? Or does the prospect of less personal accountability make it easier to believe in Karma? Or does the fact that Karma eliminates the need for grace (which we all have trouble accepting) make it easier to believe in than a Holy and Loving God? Just some thoughts and questions stemming from Sports Talk.

Valentines Day, called Singles Awareness Day (or SAD, according to theologian/model/professional skin boarder Matthew Greenwald) has come upon us yet again. Funny how days seem to repeat themselves once a year. I can remember one Valentines Day past, where a ministry colleague smirked at the testimony of a young woman who claimed “Jesus is my Valentine.” While the term ‘valentine’ doesn’t occur in most translations, or rather any of them, I wonder if the concept of Jesus being someone’s Valentine isn’t more biblical than less biblical. For starters, Jesus does clearly call himself the bridegroom (Matt 9:15). And this is simply a continuation of a husband/wife relationship God shared with Israel-“And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you (Isa 62:5).” In addition, the church is described as the wife, and Christ is the husband (Eph 5:23-33). If we sit back and reflect that God looks down upon us with joy, as though we were his bride (a difficult metaphor to grasp if you are a dude), we will see its really not a stretch. Instead of flowers or cards, we get the cross and a love that actually fulfills us. So I guess the best terminology would not be Jesus is MY valentine, but OUR (the church) Valentine. If you want to use that language, I’d fully support you without any smirk or grimace!

In preparing for my next talk on “Why Rest,” I came across a ‘rest’ principle I had previously overlooked. Gordon McDonald helped me find it; I wish I could take credit myself! Anyhow, since we derive meaning in work because we are imitating a God who worked/created, why don’t we look at God’s example in resting in order to better figure out how to rest? When God rested, he didn’t do so because he was tired. No kidding. But it is interesting to look at what one aspect of God’s rest: his reflection. He looked back on creation and deemed it good. He looked back on the work “thy hands have made,” and he said: “not bad at all (in so many or so few words)!” His reflection revealed a deep satisfaction; or in other words, a deep satisfying rest. In order to find the greatest rest on the Sabbath, our thoughts ought to turn to this type of reflection. Should we not then reflect back upon the work of our hands, as well as our relationships, and evaluate them? How are they complete in Christ? Do we ask the question: was this week honoring to Christ, was it meaningful, was it dedicated to Him? I hope to add more backward (not backward like a backwoods sense though) reflection to my celebration of the Sabbath. And in doing so, I beliee that I’ll find much greater rest and enjoyment on that day. So much so that you might hear me singing, “O day of Rest and gladness…(but of course the RUF style and in the key of C-but that goes without mention!”