Convictions and Compromise:

This is another bonus entry, so to speak, but will certainly be my last entry to this blog until we get settled in our new place of ministry. There was a key vote in the U.S. Senate Tuesday regarding immigration reform. The pending legislation moved forward on a procedural motion after failing on a similar vote just a few days ago. Yes, the issue this time was immigration reform; but it could have been anything. My point here is not to argue for or against this particular piece of legislation. Rather, I want to consider how easy it is for people to waiver in their convictions and succumb to compromise. How can something that seemed so bad two weeks ago suddenly become good? Of course, the answer to that question is easy. Egoes are massaged. Promises are made, and pressure is applied. People who change their minds on basic matters so easily from one week to the next have all kinds of rationalizations and excuses. They may make lofty statements for the press; but usually, we can see right through the deception. Would we really want lawmakers who can be so easily swayed? Well, think about the rest of us. What about the average American when it comes to matters of conscience, morality, integrity, and compromise? Are we a people of conviction, or are we more political animals? Are we a people of principle, or primarily a people of pragmatism and expedience? I think we tend toward pragmatism; and worse, I think most of us are proud of it! We fear people of principle more than the results of pragmatism. Now, consider this from a spiritual perspective. Think about the changes in church doctrine over the past half century. Consider how most mainline denominations have changed their views on abortion, homosexuality, the Bible, sexual morality, truth and falsehood, and a host of other basic issues. These changes have not come about primarily because of new information, but because of politics, pressure, cultural adaptation, and the like. Sometimes, we don't even admire people who have strong convictions any more. I was once derided as a "non-conformist" by a minister who was examining me in a certain presbytery. I suppose he was right. I still admire conviction and tend to be suspicious of those who, on a regular basis, prefer compromise. How about you?

Paris Hilton and Other Strnage Obsessions:

I have the unexpected opportunity to make one last entry before the movers pack us up. Everything was pushed back a day, which suited us fine. And it gives me the chance to comment on Paris Hilton, and other strange obsessions many Americans entertain. Paris Hilton is, of course, a very rich potential heiress to the Hilton fortune. Supposedly, she also has some acting talent, maybe a career in modeling. Who knows? She's young and rich and beautiful--and she was released from a Los Angeles jail very early this morning after serving a little time for driving with a suspended license after a DUI conviction. Of course, there's not much news in that--unless you're Paris Hilton, and young, and rich, and beautiful, and famous! I understand that we can be fascinated by people who actually achieve something--even if it isn't something of any particular moral virtue. But what we've increasingly seen over the years is an obsession with people just because they're famous. They haven't necessarily done anything. They've just been. Even when these people do really bad stuff, we want to watch. Are the lives of many people really that boring? Do we really long so fervently to be in the shoes of the rich and famous--even when they're getting released from jail, or when they're on trial for murder? I guess it's kind of like the obsession some people have about "keeping up with the Joneses. I've never quite understood that one, either. Have we become so uninterested in our own individuality that we have to find excitement vicariously through the trials, fame, or successes of others--even others we don't necessarily know or who don't have anything necessarily admirable to recommend them? Surely, there aren't that many people who really want to pattern their lives after that of Paris Hilton! If we're going to obsess over something, why can't it be something noble--like excellence, the will of God, liberty under God, or even the Bible or the Christ! Wouldn't it be great if we became as interested in the progress of Christian world missions as we currently seem to be in the lives and legends of celebrities of questionable character?

"I'm Moving On"

That was the title of a hit country song a couple of years ago; and indeed, it expresses my thoughts this morning. Lydia and I are moving on. We're tired, but excited, apprehensive and yet holding on to our faith, a bit battered and bruised from our recent experiences, yet eager for the opportunity to continue to do what God has called us to do. Life seldom turns out as people believe that it will. Certainly, my life has developed in very different ways from what I would have imagined when I was a senior in high school, or a junior at Davidson College, or even as a young seminarian or minister. Yet, we put our faith in a sovereign God, and continue to try to seek, know, and obey His will. As my friend Sid Leak says, quoting a seminary professor he had years ago, "It's not like God is going to run off and leave you!" Well, praise God for that! Sometimes, that's just about the only comfort we have. I'm filled with all kinds of emotions as I come to the end of my time in Alabama. One thing we know for sure is that the only constant reality in the worldly, temporal realm is change. Just when we think we understand the pattern of our lives, things are likely to change. People change. Circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Attitudes change. Relationships change. An uncle of mine died on Saturday morning, pointing out once again the fragile nature of life and the lasting effects of sin on fallen humanity. We still struggle with grief, following the death of my mother in December. Often, our inner resources seem to have reached the breaking point. Still, I'm moving on. It's tempting to retreat, to escape into the past, to be dependent on situations that seem more comfortable, more certain. But just what would those situations be? Where would we find the peace of mind and security we crave? Where can we really find home base? We can only find those things in a faith that is founded on thepermanent, the eternal, the perfect. I do not understand the ways of God; but I am willing, though imperfectly, to trust Him. What is the alternative? As Peter said to Jesus in the gospel of John, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." And at this time in my Christian pilgrimage, He is leading me, guiding me, calling me; and so, I'm moving on. The next time I speak to you, faithful readers, I will probably be somewhere in Texas! But it's more than the eyes of Texas that are upon you!

Fresh Perspective?

Lydia does not have computer skills. The only thing she can do to help me with the computer is read the screen for me on those occasions when something has gone wrong, and perhaps use the mouse to help me get things right again. Her entertainment and information-gathering sources are more traditional and low-tech. So today, she was able to give me a fresh perspective that made us both howl with laughter, but which was also probably a worthwhile reminder of the way things still can be for a lot of people. I had been here in my study enjoying the radio stations I can hear on the computer. I had just successfully linked to WCBS News Radio 88 in New York! This was a real treat, since I used to listen to that station all the time when we lived in Virginia and Maine, and when I was a student in college and seminary. To say the least, I was excited! I came out into the living room fairly bursting with my find. I told her what I had managed to do and then continued enthusiastically, "What on earth do people do who don't have computers?" "They work crossword puzzles," Lydia dead-panned, as she continued her hobby without missing a beat! Of course, we both cracked up in hysterical laughter at that point! I hadn't expected such a quick response. But you know, she had a point!