Our Hangout

Sometimes you need to be caught...

No doubt, you've already heard enough about Ted Haggard. Some of you think of this and it makes you feel sick. Some just get angry. Some feel sorry. Some just don't get it. Likewise, your thoughts on what this man deserves are probably just as diverse. Some of us are just getting so used to these stories, we don't even think much about it anymore.

I heard about this and my first response was, "No way". Not that I didn't believe it couldn't happen or that it couldn't be true. In my time I've seen too many pastors fall. We all have. But I've known a few personally. It just brings it closer to home.

I don't want to say too much except to say, I'm glad this happened. Not in the sense that this is a good thing. In terms of the Christian community, his sin affects us all. But I am glad it happened for his sake. In his letter to his congregation Haggard talks about struggling with this his whole adult life and how for periods he found victory and then it would happen all over again. For many of us, the sins are different, but at the end of the day, whether we're willing to admit it not, that's our story. Struggling with sin experiencing defeat for a season, experiencing strength for a season, and buying into the lie that's as good as it gets. Worst, buying into the lie that the best thing to do is to hide. Ted Haggard will no doubt discover judgment from lots of people. But he will also discover what he never believed could be, friends and family who will love him and support him through this, and a heavenly Father ready to welcome him, love unconditionally, restore him and call him "son". It's the story of the prodigal, it's your story, it's my story.

So I'm glad this happened, because as impacting as this is for many more people than just himself. And even though this will be fuel in the fire for people, Christians and otherwise. He can finally get the help that he needs. And in time, hopefully, know the freedom, victory and peace that Christ died so that he could experience.

It's easy to doubt his sincerity. It's easy to say, of course he's sorry, he got caught! But sometimes the only way out is to get caught. I think God gives us all much grace, even when we sin, and he gives us ways out, and he gives us opportunities to get right without bringing people to this place, but sometimes, the only way that's left is this. Because God's more interested in having you in right relationship with him and knowing his victory and peace, than he is in having you do whatever it is you think is really important for you to do, including leading a church.

Just look at King David's story and you'll see that's true. He had to get caught too.

This is not just Ted Haggard's story. This is our story every time we hide our sin. Whatever that sin is.

Jesus died so you wouldn't have to live in or with it. So don't let it hold you prisoner. Make a choice not to live in that secret place. The price you, and others end up paying is too high.

Love and acceptance

Tonight of ER they played the Christian and Homosexual (Lesbian) card.

Carrie, who happens to be a lesbian, finally meets her birth mom who's come looking for her after many years. Interestingly enough mom's a Christian. Not a crazy, in your face Christian...just a nice lady whose faith had seen her through a tough life.

At first mom is surprised by her daughters birth deffect and wonders if she's responsible but eventually gets over it and accepts her daughter. Anyway, the whole thing was too predictable...in the end Carrie confesses to mom that she's a lesbian and all of a sudden...well, they did a good job of portraying the confusion and even judgement that exists on both sides. Although I think it was meant to be more one sided...besides the point. None of this surprised me....except one statement.

Mom turns to Carrie and tells her, "I could still love you." and Carrie says..."I don't want love without acceptance."

I'm not trying to get into anything here, I just found the comment interesting. I haven't processed it at all....I know however that the church has not figured out a way to deal with this issue very well and I know, at least in part, one of the reasons is we don't know how to dialogue with someone who is a homosexual...never mind truly love them.

Something I need to think on more...

What's in a name?

After more than a decade, the skydome has changed hands and received a new name Rogers Centre. I hate the name, but he's the one with the bucks...it'll be interesting to check it out in a few years. I hear the Blue Jays are even getting a boost as a result. Cool, they need it!

I remember being in college when they won back to back in 92-93 or was it 93-94? Anyway, good times!

Anyway, I think it'll still be referred to as the "Skydome" for a long, long time by most people.

Who defines marriage

Rebecca had this to say about the same sex marriage debate...

"Here is some food for thought...Does anyone really believe that the state giveth and taketh away the insitution of marriage? Could an act of parliament make you un-married by nullifying the validity of your marriage?

The state has purported to bless, with legality, many things that God frowns upon; but the state can't actually bless a marriage (straight or gay) by passing a law.

My marriage doesn't depend upon the state's blessing. The state can simply bestow a set of rights, a legal status, and use a word to label that status."

Along the lines of what I'm thinking on the issue.

Same sex marriage

My friend Matt (crazy liberal), has posted his thoughts on same sex marriage. I've wanted to comment for a long time on the issue, but have held back because I want to be able to both articulate and stand behind what I'm saying. For now you can go bug Matt!!! :)

It's not about Bob!

Chris, over at ourgreenroom, pointed me to an article in Christianity Today where Phil Vischer (Veggietales) is asked about his thoughts on this latest debate.

In the debate he makes one point that I think summarizes a lot of this stuff well...although Chris already posted, I will do so here as well...

"To be honest, I'm really not sure what we're trying to accomplish here. I find somewhat baffling the great shock we evangelicals register when we catch the world acting, well, "worldly." I mean, isn't that kind of the point? They're the "world," right? When you start with the assumption that the world is fallen, you're much less likely to be disappointed when you find it actually to be the case.

As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting the day the world registers great shock at the sight of Christians acting "Christianly.""

Isn't that what it's all about? Why do we freak out when sinful people act sinfully? I'm baffled that the world is not worst off, with the exception that I know that God has still got his hand in things. Why do we insist on expecting sinful people to behave Christianly. Even though Christians often don't do so among themselves or toward the world. (not judging, just stating the facts)

Yup, like Bob, sorry Phil, I too long for the day when the world is shocked by the fact that the Christians started acting Christianly. And yes, I know that means me first!

Canadian Idol

Kalaan Porter took a huge stand and might just have destroyed his chances to be the next "Canadian Idol" when he started out the night by singing "I can only imagine" a "very" Christian song by Bart Millard of Mercy Me.

Whatever your reasoning Kalaan - as Zack would say (except in this case), "Good on you!".

UPDATE: Well, I was right and wrong. I knew he'd win it. I was wrong, his choice of a Christian song didn't hurt him. With the exception that the judges criticized him for the first time.

kalaan Porter is the new Canadian Idol

Justice???

Linh Chen (a visa student from China) has been arrested and is charged with first degree murder for the kidnapping & murder of Cecilia Zhang. A girl he lived with is also charged although they have not given many details on her or the charges against her.

The facts, the girl in question lived with the Zhang family for two years previously. The accused also visited the home and wasn't a stranger to the family or to Cecilia. The parents have left the city as, anyone could understand, the news were devastating. He had spent time with them, shared their hospitality.

It's still too early to know much. The police is talking as if the case is a done deal. But I've seen too much injustice over the last few years to know that there aren't a lot of things that are just black and white when it comes to justice. When parents who abuse their children, lock them up in cages, and make them eat their own feces only get 9 months in jail - something's wrong with the system. So, I hope that if this guy is guilty that he is punished to the full extent of the law.

I spent part of the afternoon listening to a call-in show (radio) on the matter. I found several things interesting.

1. This crime is considered by most people as the worst possible type of crime, for which there is no rehabilitation.
2. If someone is found guilty or in this case even suspected - kill them because the world will be better off - and if they're innocent, which would be unlikely with today's technology and DNA - killing an innocent person might be worth the message it sends. (I'm not making this up.)

As a Christian father who was hit pretty deeply by this and other recent child murders. Someone who thinks that they didn't deserve this, that our children must be protected, and that punishment and hopefully rehabilitation is in order. I was somewhat bothered by what I heard.

My heart resonated with some of it as a concerned parent - but I'm a Christian and several things come to mind. Is this really something that someone cannot be rehabilitated from? Is the only solution for these "monsters" (as they were referred to on the broadcast) to exterminate them?

At one point the gentleman conducting the broadcast made an interesting statement, "There but for the grace of God it could have been my kid!" And don't miss this, I thank God that this nothing like this has happened to one of my kids, and surely I would struggle with my emotions if it did, but I was surprised by the little deviation in the use of this common phrase. It has been most commonly used as "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

The point? The issue here is the only thing that keeps me from being a monster is the grace of God. That as Paul says if I consider myself the worst of sinners, there's hope even for a man like this and others like him. That indeed there is no one that is good. We like to quantify sin and personally categorize the depth of depravity. But the truth we must discover before we can really discover the truth that sets us free is that we're depraved. That in the right circumstances, the right environment, the right upbringing, I could be that man.

I am the worst of sinners, before God I am no better than him. And yet, the grace of God has brought rehabilitation to my life - and could do so for someone like him as well.

I long for justice for Cecilia, and for protection from these crimes for all children. But the question that's filled my mind as a Christian this afternoon - do I long for the life changing, transforming power of God's grace to touch this man's life more?

Am I a vessel of the same grace and love that looked at my sin and set me free? Or am I a vessel of condemnation, mercilessness and accusation?

Whose son am I?

Go Leafs Go

I think we chanted too hard, they're gone.
There's always....oh never mind.

The Leaf Saga...

Update III Well they did it! Caught the first two goals on I-96 with the station phasing in and out. Caught the last goal at the hotel we're staying at in Jackson, Michigan on ESPN.

Well, bring on the Flyers! I hope their rest will hurt them more than help them. Here's to hoping...

Update IIAnd so goes game six. Almost, could'a, but didn't...is all I can say.

Update: Well, game five is done and the Leafs are ahead. But as much as News Anchors keep talking about this being the team to go all the way...If the Leafs expect to win the Stanley Cup playing like they have so far, they might make it past this round but...well, I'll leave it at that.

Having said that...Vania and I watched the game last night and although we had to wait 'till the third period, it got pretty exciting around here when Domi scored (okay he didn't have much to do with the actual goal, but there's a measure of luck in these things as well). Go, Leafs Go!
But for crying outloud - STEP IT UP A NOTCH!

Martha's Woes...

Recentely, Martha Steward has put out a personal plea to all her friends to write the judge in charge of her case with references in terms of her character, practices, person.

The Daily Farce (satyrical online news) has done an interesting article on it. The following quote is an excerpt...

"No one responded to my request." Stated Martha Stewart, visibly angry, "Are they so busy in their life? Those bastards will pay for this! I promise you! I don't understand! I'm nice. I'm ethical. I treat people fairly. Just wait. They will pay for this! Mark my words! They think I'm mean now? Wait until I get out of prison!"

My thought on it, without jumping on the send Martha to jail bandwagon, when you have many millions (billions?) of dollars and you take part in a "shady" deal that saves you about 80 thousands of dollars, what does that say about your character?

My wife is asking..."Why, Martha, why?"

Happy New Year!

God bless you in 2004!