Whenever I hear someone talk or pray about the need for America to "get back to her roots," or "return to how it used to be," or "return to the spirit of our Founding Fathers," I notice it's not usually an African American speaking. Not a Native American. Think about it.

What, exactly, do we want to return to? The America that that was built up on the backs and blood of slave labor? The America that just plain took away land and killed many who stood in the way of "Manifest Destiny?"

Or how about the America of the early 1800's where there are estimates of up to 50% of the population who would be classified as alcoholics? Or even more recent, the America of forcing 10 year olds to work in mines and textile mills?

Now, I get the sentiment of longing for more civility, courtesy, modesty, respect for your elders, and such, in our society today. But, that is far different than longing for something that was absolutely a disaster for certain people groups.

I do not want America to return to any era of our history. Why not pray for a better future? Why not long for our best days to be ahead of us as a nation?

Every generation-

whether nation, local community, or family-

has the opportunity to carry on what is most helpful in blessing people's lives, refusing to carry on what is harmful-

always looking forward to better days ahead.

David- Yesterday, I told you about the "drill sargeant" trainer dude and his "platoon." Later, I asked around Manhattan Beach why so many people seemed so intent on exercising so early together.

People answered,

"It's the thing to do."
"It's a status thing in the South Bay."
"Trophy wives gotta work it."

I will simply say, fitness is going to be a premium in a beach community (think needing a"beach body" pretty much year round). Also, it's just in our nature to want to be in relationship. People who are wealthy need friendships as much as everyone else.

Dave, when you are home, we go to the gym early, too. It is a way for us to spend time together, work our " guns" (yours are more pumped than mine because you don't have any body fat to hide the bi's), and connect with receptive people.

As we've talked about, God sets up "appointments" sometimes, when guys we don't even know, who are in need of a word of encouragement or prayer, will just start talking to us. I have tried to model "how to be a Christian without being a jerk" just as part of my normal life with you over the years, and you have learned well. I am moved when I see you reach out in the same way.

So, if it takes getting up at 5 to workout because you know you may be beginning a relationship that is going to lead someone to discover an amazing personal God, then you do it. And it's almost always more fruitful when you live this life with another brother in Christ- or "son in Christ," as it were.

So, this is the text message I received from our son, David. He just started at San Diego State University and so I guess being away from home he wants to stay connected to dad….

Naw, I just think he's getting bored from classes, homework and new friends, most of them ladies…in a friendship way, of course.

Actually, David does read quite a bit and is a solid thinker. Likes to look at things from a slightly different perspective from "The Road Less Traveled" to "History of The Marine Corp." Speaking of David…

I am commuting to a www.weare3dm.com conference in Torrance. To miss traffic, I have been leaving early. About 5:15 this morning. So, I stop in Manhattan Beach because this is where I have been energized by brothers in arm on retreat the few years. Three times a year we gather for "Stammtisch," but that is a topic for another time.

Anyway Dave, you know how Manhattan Beach is an affluent community that places a high value on exercise. Saw this in the dark this morning about 5:30 when about a dozen, mainly late 20's/ early 30's mainly women (one older gal), started taking the beach like at Omaha Beach in Normandy.

Led by a Master Sergeant looking dude who gave me a half smile and casual salute when I walked by.

So, what get's young men and women up at 5 a.m. to be drilled by the man for about an hour?

What?? Why??

Yesterday was the hottest day recorded for downtown LA, ever- 113 degrees at noon! I am not often driving the freeway, but I happened to be driving downtown at noon yesterday and my car thermometer said "117" outside. I wondered if there was a malfunction, but I guess it was close (the extra four degrees being freeway heat, I suppose). So, what does this all mean? If you don't live here you may ask: "How can you take the heat?"

Here are some observations.

• It's hot right now.

• 113 degrees doesn't feel much different than 100 degrees because, as we Angelenos are fond of saying, "It's a dry heat."

• The weather doesn't change much here, it is usually sunny and usually hot for a big chunk of the year.

• Because the weather is about the same much of the time, we probably are the birthplace of the colorful, humorous, unusual, and/or very attractive weather reporters over the years. How else do you hold the viewer's interest in a place where you say, "Sunny and warmer today, sunny and a bit cooler, partly sunny…." You get the picture.

• Without real "seasons" we miss out on the classic natural metaphors for life (growing season and harvest time), death (fall and winter), new life (spring). Actually, there are other ways we purposely hide metaphors for death. Our funeral homes are generally well hidden, our cemeteries look like parks…A whole topic for another day.

• Those of us who moved here from seasonal places don't miss shoveling, plowing, bundling up like a mummy, slipping on the ice, doing "donuts" because we hit "black ice," or if you are old enough to remember, "plugging in" your car. Not because it was an electric car, but because you had a separate heater for your radiator so that it didn't freeze overnight!

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The Real Jesus…God's Plan
Luke 18:31-34
God is a brilliant strategist!

Out of the blue, full on, this guy at the gym I haven't met before starts commenting about working out ("You look like you're working it") physical health (endorphins), learning to relax (sauna), what to do when all your children are in college, reconnecting with your wife, "on being 16 again," Air Force pensions- all in about 5 minutes!

It was fascinating, but I have to think- next time I hope Nancy is with me. You know, so she can actually meet people who talk more and faster than I do!

A fun way to start the day…and a "shout out" to the middle school kids when we talked last week about how God will just connect you to someone and you don't have to say a word. All you do is ask in the morning-

"Lord, whom do you want me to meet today?"

Where do we receive our identity? From the loving Father? Yes!
"You are my beloved son/daughter and with you I am well pleased!"
As with Jesus so with us…

What does the teaching of Jesus from Luke 18:9-14 have to do with building the Islamic Center in New York and same-sex marriage? More than you think…

 

 

When I communicate with people I am in relationship with, are there ways I can make that experience more effective? Of course. Prayer is communicating with God, with whom I have a personal relationship. Can I make that experience more effective?

There is quite a bit of commotion over the building of an Islamic Cultural Center near “Ground Zero” in New York. Obviously, by now, everyone understands there is a legal right to build. From an ethical, theological, and psychological standpoint, I find too much logical and reasonable support for both sides of the argument up to this point, to come down for or against. Let me weigh in with a few observations, however.1. Why did the project’s advocates change the name from “Cordoba” to “Park 51″ after it was pointed out that “Cordoba” has strong symbolic meaning for Islam superseding Christianity in Spain through military conquest in the 8th century and becoming the capital seat of the Caliphate?

2. Why didn’t we see any of the “first amendment” protestors out in force during the long drawn out negotiation where St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church continues to be stonewalled by government officials in not being allowed to rebuild their church, actually located at “Ground Zero,” which was destroyed September 11th?

3. When I hear advocates of the construction of the Center saying this is a defining moment for American “tolerance” I have to chuckle…Why isn’t anyone protesting the virtual impossibility of building a new church on a new site in most neighborhoods in LA? This has been going on for quite some time now. If you want to protest first amendment issues concerning the topic of building, come on by my city any weekend and have at it.

4. “Hatred” and “Islamophobia” need to be put to rest when used to describe gracious, thoughtful people opposed to the location of the Center as a matter good form. The instant default to hyperbolic language says much more about a person using this loaded language being well versed in “Alinsky-speak” than it does about logical coherence.

5. Time to retire the “terrorism” in the name of “Islam” vs. abortion clinic murders in the name of “Christianity.”

First, there is no call for violent murder of one’s enemy by Jesus, in his message, or in the Christian Bible. Impossible to support any kind of comparison, because on the Christian side there is nothing there to even consider. With the model and message of Mohammed and the Q’uran, you at least have a debate on your hands.

Second, abortion clinic murderers provided no support either directly or indirectly to being led by Jesus or by his message to kill in his name.

Third, let’s bring scope into question, folks. How many people have been murdered in the “name of Allah” in the last month? The last year? the last 10 years? The last 30 years?

Now, how about abortion providers murdered total? Since Roe vs. Wade (1973) legalized the practice of abortion in America, how many Abortion clinic workers have been killed?

8000?
800?
80?
?

You guessed it…8.

1973-1992?      0
1993?               1
1994?               4
1995-1997?      0
1998?               2
1999-2008?      0
2009                 1
8

Now, yes, even one murder is horrible, but I guess we need a little perspective here on the analogy front, folks.

Oh, and if you try to pull out a “Crusades” card on me, I’m just glad you had to go back 1000 years to find it.