Stop Defending the Perversion of the Paris Olympics

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.

Matthew 18:6, NKJV

 

Most people have seen clips of the videos of the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most were fine, albeit a bit weird, but some of the scenes were nothing short of perverse, and some appear to have gone to the point of blasphemy. Plenty has been said about the similarities between the Last Supper of Christ and one particular scene which appeared to many of us as nothing less than a mocking of Christianity. The arguments in defense of the perversion of a holy event have seemed a little weak to me, but you can draw your own conclusions. I don't buy the argument that there was no intent to mock one of the most sacred events in history, but if you do, I guess we can still be friends.

 

However, the thing that disturbs me most is the absolute indifference of many towards the sexualization of children. Not only was there a nearly naked "blue man" gyrating a few feet from a small child, there was a man dressed in black who was exposing himself only a few inches away from this little girl. If you missed it, you can certainly be excused, for most decent people either turned away or turned off their televisions when the nearly naked blue man appeared.

 

But what cannot be excused under any set of circumstances is this: Many people - people who consider themselves to be good Christians - came to the immediate defense of this perversion. They said things like "We all have sinned" and "We shouldn't judge", both of which statements are entirely true. But what so many of these well-intentioned Christians forget is that God did not forgive you while you were engaged in your sin. They also forget the part in Romans chapters one and two that does indeed tell us not to issue a personal judgment, but which also clearly states that God's judgment against such sinners is based on the truth. We need to stop acting like the Bible's instruction against our making the judgment is equivalent to not being able to tell that something is wrong in God's eyes.

 

And this fact cannot be ignored: At least two men were exposing themselves in a most lascivious way to a little girl (not to mention the millions of children who watched this wicked display) and few Christians came to her defense. Instead, they gave some sort of twisted defense of sin itself and then condemned those who refused to be tolerant of that sin.

 

Let me make two things clear: First, of course, we have all sinned and, of course, we hope that those who were involved in this sin will have the opportunity to repent. Second, we still have an obligation to defend the innocent from the wicked. That means that we can and must know the difference between hoping someone will repent of their sins at some point in the future and insisting that they stop sinning against the innocent right now.

 

If you and I as Christians refuse to defend the children, then who will? Will you continue to go down this slippery slope to the point where you allow men dressed as prostitutes to read to your children in the respectable confines of our libraries and public schools as some are doing? A short while ago, two naked men in a parade in San Francisco preformed a vile sex act in the presence of children while law enforcement stood idly by. Will we tolerate that as well? Is there no line that we will draw in our sick attempt to show that we are "tolerant"?

 

When David was still a shepherd boy, he came upon a scene that made his blood boil. Goliath, the champion of the Philistine army, was spewing insults and curses against Israel and God. While the rest of Israel either fled or cowered in fear, David asked the appropriate question: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who defies armies of the Living God?" Can we ask anything less of those who would cause a child to be exposed to sin?

 

Where did we take the turn off of the straight and narrow path that brought us to the point that we defend the wicked and subject the most innocent of our society to sin? Can we really not tell the difference between hoping that someone will repent and allowing them to sin against the innocent? Has our judgment really become so clouded? 

 

Christians need to be able to answer these questions because our tolerance towards sin is a perversion of God's pure grace. The prophet Habakkuk stated that God's eyes were too pure to look upon evil, that He could not tolerate wrong, (Habakkuk 1:17). Do we think that we will be permitted to fail to defend the innocent under our modern-day religion of tolerance? Where are the Davids in our times who will have the courage to demand that evil behavior towards children not be allowed to continue? 

 

At some point, we are going to have to be able to process two thoughts at the same time: God will indeed forgive sinners who repent, but He will not tolerate them while they are sinning, and especially when they are sinning against children. We need to get an understanding of these truths before it is too late for our society, and before it is too late for our children!

 

The former Supreme Court nominee, Robert Bork, was right when he observed that we are "slouching towards Gomorrah". It is time to get out of our sinful "slouching" and straighten up that we might begin to do the right thing. Failing that, we might as well tie a millstone around our neck and cast ourselves into the sea right now, for a people who tolerate sin towards children today will end up tolerating everything that is perverse and sinful tomorrow.

 

It's something we must think about, isn't it?  

 

 

The Road You Take will Determine Your Destination

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Seek and you will find...

Matthew 7:13-14 & Matthew 7:7, NIV (1978)

 

Imagine that you are planning on going to Amarillo, Texas. In that city lies great wealth and happiness. Since this is what you want out of life, this is where you want to be, so you get in the car and head out on a random road. The problem is that the road you are on is actually south of Amarillo, and you are headed due east. Kind people along the way let you know that you are going in the wrong direction, that you are actually headed towards Dallas, not Amarillo.

 

Now Dallas, in our example, is not the place you want to be. You have been assured that Dallas (no offense to the fine people who live there. Remember: this is just an example) is a place of poverty and misery. Dallas is the last place you want to be, but you like the road you are on, and you have decided that regardless of what the signs indicate and what people say, that this road will take you to Amarillo.

 

Should you be surprised when you end up in Dallas? Not if you are using that fine brain that God has given you, but that is the point of this article. Anyone who is wanting to end up in Amarillo while traveling the road to Dallas just isn't acting in a prudent manner. They probably don't even need to be driving in the first place. We should all be able to see that, and most people do.

 

But now, consider this: There are many people who would like to be in Heaven someday. They have heard that it is a place of great happiness - and they believe it! On the other hand, only a fool would want to end up in Hell. We have been assured by God that it is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, and no sane person would want to go there.

 

Yet, here is the problem: Most people like the easy way of that old, broad road. The many people who are already on this path appear to be having more fun, and they certainly are well-intentioned. None of those on this path to destruction really believe that this is where that road will take them. Even though all the signs are clear and the Lord Himself has warned that this broad road will lead to death, no one on this path believes it. 

 

They are convinced that they are going to the same place as those who entered by the narrow gate, just by a different path!

 

But one thing we should all understand: The road you are on will determine your destination. Jesus made this very clear. He wants us on that narrow path - He even paid the toll for this path with His own shed blood. Before dying on the cross, He made it very plain that many would choose the wide path, while only a few would choose the narrow one. He even made this guarantee: If we will seek the narrow path, we will find it. It was only after that guarantee that He revealed most would still choose the easy way that leads to destruction. 

 

Jesus' unambiguous words should cause us all to pause and consider the question, "which road are we on?" For one thing has been made crystal clear: The path you and I are on, will really determine our destination. A wise person would want to make sure of his direction, wouldn't he? Wouldn't you? 

 

 

 

God Desires Enthusiasm

O come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalms 95:1-3, KJV

 

Sometimes I need to be reminded that God and Christ want us to be "all in" when it comes to our service and devotion. We've known this for a long time. We are all familiar with Jesus' warning to those who may be tending to the "lukewarm" side of service. Yet it is when we read of the great enthusiasms of the writers of the Psalms that we can really get a glimpse as to just how enthusiastic we ought to be when it comes to our devotion and worship of the LORD.

 

All through the Psalms we see writers from King David to the ones in charge of the songs and worship being enthusiastic in their praise. They write of how they rejoice when someone says, "Come, let us go up to the house of the LORD". We read phrases such as, "I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands." We read of how zeal for God's house will consume them, and then understand that this is a prophesy of how Jesus will live when He comes into this world.

 

It is inspiring and uplifting and instructive, and all verses seem to point to the same theme: God wants enthusiastic followers, and those that truly understand how great He is will give Him nothing less. Indeed, it seems impossible for those who genuinely believe to give Him anything less than their wholehearted love and devotion. We understand this all the more when we read throughout Scripture how God wants all of our hearts and all of our souls and all of our minds and all of our strength.

 

The question for us, then, is do we feel this overwhelming sense of devotion when we think of the Father and the Son? Does that enthusiasm spill over into our actions?

 

I have to admit that I have had more than a few times in my life when I have shown something less than enthusiasm in my own service to our God. When I was a young man, very often the last thing I wanted to do on the first day of the week was to get out of my comfy bed and go to the worship. I have had way too many occasions when service to God seemed far less exciting than the alternatives to that service.

 

It is not until I really think about just what God has given me with life itself, and when I further consider the depth of the love and sacrifice that Jesus had when He chose to go to the cross so that I would not have to suffer eternal punishment that I begin to fully grasp just how marvelous this gift of service is. And having done that, it becomes much easier to have a more enthusiastic response to living for them.

 

When you think about it, really think about it, how could we have any less an attitude than did the writer of this Psalm we see above? He was overwhelmed with thanksgiving and joy because he had the honored opportunity of serving the great King of kings! And so too should we!

Giving Back

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

Matthew 7:12, NIV (1978)

 

For nearly 30 years now, our youth group has been taking care of our widow's lawns on each Monday night during the summer. This has had a multitude of benefits, from saving our sweet ladies lawncare money to helping close the age gap between these two groups. It has without a doubt been one of the best areas of service that I have had the privilege of witnessing over the years, for it has taught our young people a valuable lesson in the need for helping others who could use a helping hand.

 

But this year, something so unusual and so impressive happened that I thought it would be of interest to some in our little town. Part way into the summer, I got a call from our head football coach at the high school. He was aware of what our teens had been doing, and he was wondering if some of the young men from the football team could take part. Now, I have to tell you that this was an impressive request, but it was what he went on to say that made the deepest impression.

 

He said that ever since he had been in Happy, that the community had given the team incredible support, and he was wanting an opportunity to let these young men provide the community some support of their own in return. Without putting it in so many words, he believed that this would teach his young men the "Golden Rule" of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.

 

So, a little over a month ago he sent out a text letting the team know of this opportunity to "give back" to the community that had given them so much support over the years. He let them know that this was entirely voluntary, but here was a chance for them to serve in a needed area if they would like to. It was completely up to them, of course, so they were under no obligation or pressure to do so. 

 

The first week, we had about seven show up. Four of them had already been coming all summer since they were part of our youth group, but it was great to have the extra help. The next week we had another three or four come to help, plus the coach and assistant coach. We had so much extra manpower that we finished the work of cleaning up several of the vacant lots that I had thought would take the whole summer.

 

These vacant lots were filled with junk and debris that were overwhelming some of our older members. They would likely have received a fine that they could not easily afford to get rid of items that were far too heavy for them to move on their own. Since our youth group had grown so large, I had asked them if they could use some assistance in getting these lots cleared off. They were delighted to accept, and I thought that I had more than enough work for our teens to take them through the summer. But, with the help of those hard-working football boys, we got the lots cleaned up in a couple of weeks. I actually had to contact the city and ask them if we could clean up another vacant property that had been an eyesore and health hazard for many years.

They jumped at the chance! Last week they brought in two trailers - one with a huge, roll off dumpster, and another for branches. The boys (now about 15 to 20 strong) filled these two trailers in about an hour and a half, and two more are being brought in this week. By next week when the mowing and cleanup comes to an end for the summer, we should have a property that has been an overgrown mess for over twenty years completely cleaned up.

 

It is hard to overstate the importance of this simple lesson that a wise coach has taught. Giving back to a community that has given the team so much is a wonderful thing. It has taught the boys an appreciation for the support that has been given to them. It has taught them that they can help out people who are desperately in need of that help. It has taught them that they have an obligation to help make the town that they live in a better place. In short, it has taught them that instead of just taking what a community has to offer, that they can do something valuable in return.

 

It has taught them that it is more blessed to give than to receive!

 

And they have done all of this in an unselfish way with unusually pleasant attitudes. I have heard a lot of laughter this summer, and I have seen a tremendous amount of teamwork as they have struggled and sweated as they have lifted literally tons of debris into dumpsters to be hauled away. And through all of this, I have yet to hear a single bad word, nor have I heard any words of complaint. The parents of these young men should be proud, as should the entire town.

 

Happy is fortunate to have the type of coaches that we do! I have thought that for many years now, but never so much as I have during this particular summer, when a head coach decided that it was time to give his kids an opportunity to give back. It is a life lesson that will serve them well!

The Battle Between Good and Evil

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Proverbs 28:28, NIV

 

There is a battle going on for the soul of America and it is playing out before our very eyes. Americans who are paying attention have been horrified at just how evil people can be when they want to hold onto power. This past week we witnessed the attempted assassination of a Presidential candidate. This particular man is not perfect by any means, but if you can judge a man by his enemies, then he may be the best hope America has for escaping our current set of evil leaders. Of course, when I say that, I am not forgetting the true, best hope - God, but I believe that He works in mysterious ways and that is why I am becoming more and more convinced that this particular candidate might be the one to help change the reckless course that our nation finds itself on.

 

One of the lessons the events of this past week has taught is that we must never underestimate the capacity of wicked men to do evil.

 

After the assassination attempt, it was found that those in charge of the secret service responsible for providing the protection of Presidential candidates, had changed the way they do business. They gave the former President's normal secret service team the weekend off, and then replaced them with a skeleton crew of individuals who appeared not to have been fully trained. 

 

The result was that a sniper was able to climb up on a nearby roof in full view of law enforcement without being challenged. He was then permitted to open fire, striking the former President and three others. The secret service snipers were so few in number and so ill-prepared that they were either unable or unwilling to take a shot until after the shooter had finished.

 

Let that sink in. They waited for the man to get into position, take aim, open fire, and finish firing before they intervened. The result was one dead - a retired fire chief who was shielding his wife and daughter, and three wounded. I believe it was by the grace of God that more were not killed.

 

As the days have gone by since the shooting, it has become clear to me that those in charge (by that, I mean those who are in the highest positions of this particular chain of power) were the ones who created the circumstances for this tragedy to occur. They are idealogues, everything from social justice warriors to petty men and women who just seem to despise anyone who disagrees with them or who gets in the way of their power. It is clear that they provided to perfect circumstances for an opponent to be removed.

 

Whether their involvement went beyond that is yet to be determined, but one thing seems abundantly clear: They manipulated the events in such a way as to leave a political opponent unprotected. Then, instead of being fired immediately or resigning in disgrace, they have doubled down on their wicked behavior by trying to remain in their positions of authority. Hopefully by the time you read this article, that situation will have changed.

 

So, what's the point of this discussion? Is it just to provide fuel for an unpleasant fire? Is it to provide another "conspiracy theory" to separate people who might otherwise find common ground? No, the purpose of this article is to remind us all that the truths of the Bible never change, and that we need to keep those truths in mind so that we might be guided by them. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you stand on, one thing is certain: When wicked men are in power, the righteous do end up having to go into hiding. But, when the righteous prevail, there is a cause for rejoicing. We need a cause for rejoicing about now.

 

As I have already stated, I don't believe that Donald Trump is perfect, but he may be our best hope for ridding our nation of the wicked men and women who have been in power (both Republican and Democrat - evil knows no boundaries). These evil men and women have seemed to express a disdain for everything that is righteous, and an allegiance towards everything that is wicked. They have removed God and Christ from the public square and replaced them with a love for perversion, sexual immorality and even a detestable infanticide of the unborn. They have put the righteous down as far as they can and have seemed to have shown no limits as to the evil they promote.

 

And the righteous have let it happen, mistakenly thinking that things will get better if they say nothing. But we have said nothing (or at least too little) for too long and is ruining our nation and imperiling our children and grandchildren's future. It is time, I believe, for righteous people to stop living in a fantasy world in which we believe that the capacity for wicked people to do evil is somehow limited. It clearly is not! Furthermore, it is time for us to get involved! We need to be praying for God's help, but we have to repent of our own shortcomings before we can do that. Then we need to take a stand, for what will happen if we do not?