Anti-abortion or pro-life?

"At the Presidential Prayer breakfast was also Tim Tebow who has caused controversy with his anti-abortion add to air on Super Bowl Sunday." USA today posted today online.

Notice Tim Tebow is not seen as former Heisman Trophy winner, national title winner, or even a real nice guy, but as a promoter of an anti-abortion commercial. Is it not interesting that it is advertized as an anti-abortion add instead of a pro-family or pro-life commercial?

Why does media portray someone who is uplifting his family, the wonders of life, the possibilities of letting people live, as a controversial thing? Unfortunately, the liberal bias in many newspapers demonize individuals who are simply promoting things that work: life and family.

I pray that we as Christians continue to take the high road when criticized like Tim Tebow. Love your family, value life, and love one another. That's all we can do. Lord have mercy.

Regeneration II-Brookfield, WI

Last fall I attended a conference in St. Louis called Regeneration. The focus of this conference was to discuss theology and the distinctiveness of Lutheranism in our current culture.

We are looking at Regeneration II which will be here in Milwaukee Area (Brookfield Lutheran) on April 18 5:30 through April 20 at noon. This gathering is centered on discipleship and the roles of pastors, commissioned ministers, and the laity. The cost is ONLY $30, which is an amazing deal.

The presenters are made up of pastors and workers that are working in unique ministry situations (city, emergents, young adult, and multi-cultural). What is the most refreshing part for me is that everyone there wants to make sure the center is on being Lutheran. Not to look like Evangelical and like Baptism a little more, but working with an unabashedly Lutheran way.

More updates to come. Let me know if you have any questions.

LOST, idolatry, and theology

It has finally arrived, the last season of my favorite idol: LOST. Kate and Jack, Sawyer and Juliette, Islands, Jacob, and who exactly is Locke? Gotta love it. I have enjoyed my time away from this idolatry, but also covet the last season and what will come.

What I find interesting about these types of shows is that the ending and twists represent a wider cultural value. Shows that were popular 20 years ago are different than now. 20 years ago, TGIF was huge (Full House, Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, Step by Step). Family oriented, clean humor, ending with a moral to the story, and addressing real issues in families. That symbolized a different time of desiring things to get back to the way it was (or at least perceived to be).

In today's shows, little is discussed about family, current issues, or clean humor. It is about suspense, thrillers, and always wondering what will come next (LOST, 24, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and a plethora of sci-fi shows). What does this mean? I'm not exactly sure. In my opinion it probably leads to a generation looking to the future with many questions, many fears, and enjoying the journey. More less, they are not real confident of what comes next, but they are enjoying the time they have.

What does this mean for the church? We have confidence of what is coming next: "Jesus will be with us." Christ has promised to bring blessings in the middle of despair, He has promised to do things for the good of people, and for the church to be there for us. And best of all that there will something better when this life ends. How about we start proclaiming of this confidence in a very unstable world.

God fils in the pieces

Last night while I was at confirmation our home had a "God moment." While Amy was putting our son to bed, the light fixture in our kitchen came crashing down for no apparent reason. Thankfully, our daughters were in the other room. It is a reminder of God "filling in the pieces." I realize that He doesn't just fill in the pieces, but there are times He reveals Himself that way.

When our prayers lead toward Him filling in the pieces, He usually reveals His mercy by near misses. Lord have mercy

Matrix and Original sin...

In an attempt to receive some respite this afternoon from loud children and recovering from worship, I fell upon the great movie, "Matrix." I had always known it to have many religious symbols, but this time one scene hit our sinfulness right on the head.

When Neo (Keanu Reeves) was deciding whether or not to join the group of people pursuing him, Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) gave him two options. To eat the green or red pill. If he had the green pill, he would continue to live in his current life. However, if he had the red pill Morpheus says, "You will find out the truth. The truth that you are in captivity, you are a slave to someone else, but will be set free."

Sound familar to attending worship on Sunday mornings? We learn that due to original sin we are in captivity and a slave to sin, but when in Christ we are set free. Yet, being set free, as Neo learned, was not a release from problems, it brought the reality of our problem. And it instantly points us to the solution of sin: the cross.

Next time you watch Matrix, check out the Christological themes. It runs thick.

Words, Words, and Authority

Last night watching the State of the Union address makes me realize how powerful words can be and also how they can be very void of meaning.

For most polititcians, words mean almost everything when running for office. This was most apparent during the 2008 election. Obama is an outstanding orator and McCain just wasn't. Words meant a ton. However, since the election, words have lost its meaning because people want action. That is apparent if you listen to the radio this morning, see the reactions of the Supreme Court, and hear the words on the street.

This is true of Jesus. People were amazed at his words of wisdom (Luke 2) and that they seemed to have authority (Luke 4), but they also say action. When the demons were there, He called them out with words. When Simon's mother-in-law was sick he healed her through words, words that had action. Words of love that told of a new kingdom, a kingdom now, but not yet, and a kingdom that would love to an unloving world.

May this be true of us as the church. May our words be true and pure with the Gospel, but may our actions follow. Showing the same mercy and care as Christ would. The church is at a tipping point in her history and I believe that the way we shall move forward in our American context is by action. Being filled and motivated by strong doctrine and pure Gospel, but combining it with bold mercy to the least of these.

Lord have mercy

The life of a Vikings fan...humbling!

After experiencing four NFC championship games in my lifetime (No Super Bowls yet) and watching majority of yesterday's game, I can't help but be humble. Since 1998, I have NEVER bragged about my Vikings allegiances, yesterday's game I assumed we would lose, I tried to play with my kids more than watching the game, and I will move forward assuming the same for next year.

I am actually glad it is this way. I have had a tendency to be arrogant in certain things and the Lord has done a number of things to lower this downfall. I thank God for this loss, because it reminds me once again how the sun will rise the next day, food will be on the table, and I am still in the palms of my Lord's hands.

What does God do in your life to make you humble?