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Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan

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click here to order “Muscular Christianity:90 Day Workout Plan” on amazon.com

Crafted by a former Marine, the “Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan” will change your approach to exercise, teach you how to eat and give you that spiritual six pack that allows you to make a difference and not just an appearance!

You’ll be using the “Loose Cannon Fitness Audio Workout System” which means that your workouts are playlists you import into your iTunes. Each “song” features the voice of a Marine accompanied by a drum track giving you the exercise you’re doing, the number of reps you’re performing and the pace of those repetitions. When you’ve got that level of accountability built into your workout session, you’re not just exercising, you’re training!

click here to see how a typical “Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan” training day looks…!

With the “Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan,” you’ve got over 300 pages of content that provide you with an understanding of how to eat strategically based on sound dietary concepts. You’re also looking at how your relationship with Christ was never engineered to be a mere file folder among many. Rather, He’s the Filing Cabinet. And when you intentionally align all your pursuits beneath the banner of enhancing the Reputation of your King, your perspective changes, you’re more enthusiastic and you’re more inclined to succeed – not because of who you are, but because of a more muscular Presence of Christ working in and through you.

  • 90 days worth of daily “Core Training” readings
  • Over 60 individual “Loose Cannon Fitness” exercise tracks free with purchase of book. That’s over a $50.00 value!
  • Team Training Material also available as part of the collection of downloadable resources included with the book

Also, be aware of other “Muscular Christianity” resources engineered to keep you perpetually motivated and educated…

Buckle up!

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Bruce Gust

The Hardcharger

hardchargersThis is a kickboxing routine I put together for a class that was being held at the local Rec Center. Tried to make it worthy of it’s name…

I first came in contact with the term, “Hardchargers” in the Marines. I’ve since used it in the context of teaching a Bible Study for young adults and now I’m using it as name for an exercise routine. Either way – aggressive, accurate and authentic! C’mon!

Dewanna’s – Panama
Knee to Chest – Africa
Round Kicks (BF 1/2 time) – Urgent

St Louis Kicks – Take Me Home
Watching TV – Boomin’
Side Kicks (FF double time) – Feels Like the First Time (Foreigner)

4,4’s (Jab, Cross, 2 Kicks) – Gold
Jab, Upper Cut, Hook, Cross – Got to Have You
Burpees – Rocky

Hand to Knee – LCF
Knee to Chest – Freewill
Touch n’ Go – Love Found Me

Marathon Jumping Jacks – Animal

Make Your Own Weather

Romans 12:2 says this:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)

Imagine your disposition in the context of either a clear, blue sky or overcast conditions. What determines the amount of sunshine that’s able to break through the clouds is the degree to which you base your perspective on Truth as opposed to your present circumstances.

When someone calls you on something that you need to own, as far something you’ve done or said that represented a momentary lapse in character, you need to make that right. Whether it’s an apology or some kind of recompense that you need to put in place, it’s a biblical given that you need to get that done (Prov 27:6; Matt 5:23-25).

On the other hand, sometimes you’re the one that’s been wronged. Perhaps there’s a supervisor that’s not approaching a situation without a full compliment of the facts and they’re being critical of your performance in a way that’s not fair or accurate. Maybe you’re up to your ears in some kind of drama that you’ve been unwillingly drawn into. Regardless of what it is that’s causing the tension, the bottom line is that your mind tends to remain fixated on your situation. You’re constantly rehearsing arguments and the whole thing weighs on you like a steady rain and constant claps of thunder.

Make your own weather.

blue-sunny-skyIt’s one thing to say, “God’s in charge” and another thing to act out that Truth in a way that translates to an authentically optimistic and unshakeable disposition.

Yes, He’s in charge, but He’s in charge so that you can…

  • Be confident that the situation is going to land in a good place (Rom 8:28)
  • Be at ease around the person, or persons, that represent the principal players in your situation (Is 41:10)

These aren’t just noble, little cooking tips. This is practical stuff that keeps your skies clear of the kind of cloud cover that otherwise ruins a good day.

Take a look at Psalm 37:

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. (Ps 37:5-7; 9)

Verse 5-6: If you’re in the right, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s going to land in a good place, but keep verse 7 in mind…

Verse 7: People appear to think with their minds, but Scripture makes it evident that you process things according to who you are and not just your capacity to reason (Prov 4:23 [NIV]; 23:7 [KJV]; Matt 12:34 [NIV]). It’s the “heart” of a human being that drives their actions and thoughts. You’re not going to change their heart, only God can do that (Jer 17:9-10). For that reason, you need to “be still and wait patiently for him.”

Verse 8: But while you’re “waiting,” don’t fret. The word “fret” in the Hebrew isn’t so much about being worried, as much as it’s about stewing over something. It’s that situation where you’re constantly rehearsing in your mind what’s been done, what you’re going to do or say the next time you see that person – it’s that collection of scenarios you’re concocting based on a combination of facts and imaginary conversations.

Don’t do that.

Nine times out of ten, you’re asserting assumed attitudes into the situation that may or may not be the case.

Don’t fret.

Make your own weather.

Paul says in Philippians:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

That’s not our cue to wander around in a way that’s obviously detached from reality. What it does mean is that you’re refraining from adopting an agitated mindset produced by fictional conversations and an unwillingness to see things from a wiser vantage point.

Your strength is rarely represented by your temper and your perspective is rarely enhanced by your anxiety. Don’t ignore the problem, but don’t let it define you. And give God the space and the opportunity He requires in order to do what only He can do. In the interim, be intentional about filling your head with excellence and in that way preventing whatever it is that would otherwise dominate your thinking, dictate your actions and destroy your confidence.

Make your own weather.

Now, go out and enjoy some sunshine!

Colin Kaepernick in the Morning…

san_francisco_police_department_patch1This morning I was walking into a convenience store and I heard over the radio a talk show featuring a personality that was elaborating on Colin Kaepernick’s stance and the number of black people that have been killed by police officers since he initially refused to stand for the National Anthem. In addition, Colin has apparently received some death threats because of his stance and I think it’s ironic that the people who would be tasked with protecting him come from the very institution he would demonize with his platform.

As I listened to the rhetoric being broadcast over the air, it aggravated me that so much attention is being given to Colin’s perspective, yet very little is being invested in how the San Francisco Police Department would defend the actions of their officers, or the officers who Colin would indict by refusing to stand for the National Anthem.

Personally, I have a real problem with Colin’s actions. If you have a problem with someone in a position of authority, you direct your critique at the person’s performance and not their position. Should your actions be such where they are processed as an assault on the dignity and the respect that person’s office deserves, your complaint is now buried beneath a layer of belligerence that makes your comments virtually impossible to hear. And that’s assuming your comments are accurate to begin with.

I was curious to know if the San Francisco Police Department has invited Colin to accompany any of them in a squad car and experience first hand the task of having to respond to the dispatcher as the calls for help are allocated to the various police officers on duty. What I found was an open letter that the President of the San Francisco Police Associate wrote to the Commissioner of the National Football League. It’s excellent. And while the media tends to gravitate to those things that are more suited to “headlines,” this letter brings some substance to the conversation and it’s worth reading.

As an aside, I’m not familiar with all of what Kaepernick has said. But I found this statement he recently made at a Press Conference. I think you betray the lack of credibility that characterizes your stance when you say things like this: “You have people that practice law and are lawyers and go to school for eight years, but you can become a cop in six months and don’t have to have the same amount of training as a cosmetologist,” he said. “That’s insane. Someone that’s holding a curling iron has more education and training than people that have a gun and are going out on the street to protect us.”

Colin, one day you’re going to have to account for your words and your actions. Hopefully, by that point, you’ll be in a place where you’re willing to own that which justifies an apology on your part. Until then, know that there are people out there that vehemently disagree with you – not just your obvious lack of regard for the institution that is sworn to serve and protect, not just your lack of of judgment when it comes to the fact that you always salute the rank, even if you’re not inclined to salute the man, but for the fact that you would condemn the ideal that America represents while simultaneously appealing to that same dynamic for the accommodation you think you deserve.

 

Iron Mike Workout

“Ironiron_mike Mike” is a class that I taught that’s based on a strategy that incorporates free weights in a group fitness dynamic. Very cool!

While we’re not lifting a lot of weight, you get the burn and the toil you want and need in the context of weights and pace.  And the “pace” I’m talking about makes a big difference when you’re doing all of the below exercises for three minutes or more.

Here’s how it looks:

Full Body

Culunges (Curls while doing a Lunge) -> Squats -> Lunges / Military Press -> Calve Raises -> Rows -> Dead Lift

Chest

Bench Press (double time, 1/2 time, super slow)

Quads / Shoulders

Squats (1/2 way down [double time]) -> Squats (all the way down [1/2 time]) -> Crouching Tigers (military press from a crouched position)

Shoulders / Back / Abs

Cheerleaders (w/ dumbbells [straight up and then straight out]) -> Teapots (bent over and moving the dumbbells out to the side) -> Goblets (hold a light dumbbell between your feet and do crunches)

Lats

Bent Over Rows /  Upright Rows

Calves / Abs

Calve Raises (up against the wall) -> Calve Raises (on a platform [ankles parallel to one another, then pigeon toe-ed, then heels together and toes pointed out]) –  Grahams (on your back with knees to chest, then extend your legs out so ankles are six inches off the deck, then bring legs straight up)

Hamstrings / Abs

Bulgarian Leg Squats / Reverse Crunches

Biceps

LCF Devildogs

Triceps

Dips / Tricep Extensions

 

Keep Reading

A Destitute Disposition

Have you ever considered the number of Praise and Worship choruses that highlight a destitute disposition? Take a look:

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
10,000 years and then forever more (10,000 Reasons)Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart (Lord, I Need You)		 It’s like a constant war
And you want to settle that score
But you’re bruised and beaten
And you feel defeated (It’s Not Over Yet)Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see (Amazing Grace)

Here are some more…

Lift your head weary sinner, the river’s just ahead
Down the path of forgiveness, salvation’s waiting there
You built a mighty fortress 10,000 burdens high
Love is here to lift you up, here to lift you high (Lift Your Head Weary Sinner)You hold my very moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease (Healer)		 Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on,
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes (To the Work)So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again (Mighty to Save)

 

A Lot of Press…

light-in-darkNow, hang on…

It is entirely appropriate to recall the distance that stands between who we were as spiritual corpses and who we are now as regenerated souls (Eph 2:1, 5). As a matter of fact, when you factor in the Lord’s Supper and the Scriptures that admonish a perpetual attitude of gratitude and humility, it’s evident that acknowledging who we were before Christ is more than a mere courtesy, it’s an act of obedience that we’re commanded to perform in order to maintain a healthy perspective on who we are in Christ (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 11:26; 1 Thess 5:16-18).

The problem isn’t acknowledging who we were or what we are when we’re choosing to keep all He offers at an arm’s distance. The problem is that, in some instances, there’s a greater emphasis on the darkness of the past as opposed to the bright and motivating scenario we have right in front of us.

Even the way in which the gospel is presented sometimes employs a similar approach to what’s being accomplished as far as “eternal life.” Yes, the problem is sin and the resulting sentence that is certain to be delivered on Judgment Day is a given (Heb 9:27; Rev 20:15). The Scriptures are clear – you need to be born again in order to ensure that when the results are tallied, you are welcomed into Heaven as opposed to being condemned to an eternity of suffering (Jn 3:3, 16). But if that’s the the principal, if not the only, impetus for asking Christ into your heart, then it’s all about avoiding the lake of fire and that’s what gets filed away in the mind of the person who accepts Jesus as their Savior. If you ask them, even years after the fact, “Why would a person want to be saved?” their response will often center around getting their “get out of jail free” card and that’s it.

The bottom line is that there’s a lot of press given to the desperate plight that is ours apart from Christ. And while it’s not wrong or unhealthy to recognize the stark and morbid condition of our lives sans the Power and grace of God, one needs to keep reading in order to ensure a comprehensive appreciation for all that a relationship with Christ brings to the table.

Keep Reading

In Romans 7:24-25, Paul says:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24) 

You’ve got to wonder if Peter didn’t have the same kind of thoughts running through his mind after having sworn up and down that he didn’t even know Who Jesus was on the night He was crucified (Matt 26:69-75). This is a man who insisted that he would die before he disowned his Master.

Shame.

By the 21st chapter of John, Peter has seen, not only the empty tomb, He has seen Jesus in Person. In Luke 24:24, Jesus appeared to him personally and he was with all the other disciples sans Thomas in John 20 when Jesus appeared to them as a group. His disposition has improved dramatically since the night of the crucifixion, but he has yet to sit down with Christ and address the thing that’s been gnawing at him for the last several days – the fact that he deserted his King in every sense of the word on the night it mattered most.

Guilt.

In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter a total of three times whether or not he loved his Savior to coincide with the number of times Peter insisted that the two of them had never crossed paths. In so doing, He reinstates Peter and the guilt that was weighing on him is removed, but…

By the second chapter of Acts, there are about 120 people that are meeting with Peter and the other disciples. While they’re praying and worshiping, they’re keeping a fairly low profile. Despite they’re having been profoundly impressed and encouraged by the fact their Messiah has risen from the grave, they’re not being especially vocal about it given the fact that Jesus is still perceived by the Jewish and Roman  establishment as a heretic and a traitor.

Fear.

Guilt, shame and fear have been assaulting the psyche of Peter for the last month and a half. There have been dramatic spikes of relief and validation, but Pete is still light years removed from being willing to boldly and publicly assert a dead man’s doctrine as being the Way, the Truth and the Life.

But that changes in the second verse of Acts 2. The Mindset, the Manner and the emotional Muscle of God is imparted to Peter and everyone else in the room and in that moment they are fundamentally changed. Whereas a moment ago, Peter was hesitant, if not legitimately scared, of saying anything publicly for fear of the Sanhedrin, he’s now speaking in front of a large crowd of people, 3,000 of which are so sold on what he has to say that they become followers of Christ on the spot. And Peter’s guilt and the shame that had been alleviated is now eliminated entirely (Rom 8:1-2).

Do Great Things

The Mindset, the Manner and the emotional Muscle of God. In other words, His Spirit. That’s the Divine Signature of the believer. If you’ve got His Spirit living in you, you’re born again. If not, you ain’t (Rom 8:9).

The way you think, the way you behave and the way you feel is now founded on the same Holy Strength that put the planets in place and made the heart of Jesus begin to beat again after being lifeless for three days (1 Cor 8:6; Eph 1:18-21; Col 1:27). You haven’t been merely “improved,” you’ve been completely remade (2 Cor 5:17). What was dead is now alive (Eph 2:1; 5). You and I have been spiritually raised up from a lifeless, prone position to an upright stance in order that we may…

…wait for it…

Do great things!

Look…

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

The Greek word “workmanship” is “poeima,” which is where we get our word “poem” from. As redeemed individuals, you could say we’re Divine works of art made to do great things.

And there’s more…

11-14 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do. (Jn 14:12-14 [The Message])

Now, before you regulate the sphere of “great things” to be nothing other than the quiet acts of profound service that are usually envisioned when the term “great things” is referenced in the context of a faith based paradigm, recognize that we’re commanded to do all things with all our might and as unto the Lord (Ecc 9:10; Col 3:17, 23). If you connect those dots in the most practical fashion, you’ve got someone who’s good at what they do (Prov 22:29), who’s got a good work ethic  (Eph 6:7) and is a person of integrity (Prov 11:1).

That’s Not a Scoreboard, That’s a Billboard

Do you smell that? That’s the aroma of someone you not only want to hire, that’s someone you want to promote! Why? Because they’re not just present, they’re engaged. They don’t just “do their job” and expect to be applauded, they do it with a passionate resolve to be excellent and they do it that way regardless if someone’s looking or not. And when they make a mistake, they own it (Matt 5:23).

They enthusiastically embrace every waking moments of our lives as opportunities to excel because to them, it’s not a scoreboard, it’s a billboard. It’s not just a salary, it’s a seed and it’s not just a job, it’s a calling. Everything is processed from the standpoint of what’s going to last and when you do that, God is not a file folder, He’s the filing cabinet. Everything resonates as “meaningful” and “on purpose (Ps 139:16; Phil 2:13).” Even when things are going south, you can maintain a legitimately even and optimistic disposition because you’re never a victim of random circumstances. There’s a Plan in place, a God in charge and a day to embrace as an opportunity to, not just make an appearance, but to make a difference (Ps 2:1-6; Jer 29:11; Col 1:16).

There’s a subtle notion out there that positions success as secular – that the marketplace constitutes nothing more than a place for ministry at best and a lethal distraction at worst. That’s not consistent with the whole of Scripture. Certainly there are verses that warn against the love of money and the inevitable consequences of greed (Ps 10:3; Matt 6:24; Lk 12:15; 1 Tim 6:9-10). But there are several prominent individuals in Scripture that were both godly and wealthy. These individuals were neither conflicted nor condemned because of having access to a sizable income (Abraham [Gen 13:2], Jacob [Gen 36:6-7], David [1 Chron 29:28], Joseph of Arimathaea [Matt 27:57], Lydia [Acts 16:11-15], Barnabas [Acts 4:36-37]).  Dr Glenn Sunshine makes a great point when he says “Although Scripture has some very harsh things to say about the wealthy, this does not mean that all of them are evil or under divine judgment. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were rich and yet were also approved by God. Just as poverty doesn’t guarantee virtue, wealth does not guarantee vice.” The issue, from a biblical standpoint, is not your paycheck, rather it’s your priorities.

So How Did it Go?

Consider Matthew 5:16:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

The sudden installing of an unknown prisoner in high office has often been thought hard to believe, and has been pointed to as proof of the legendary character of the story. But the ground on which Pharaoh put it goes far to explain it. He and his servants had come to believe that’ God‘ spoke through this man, that ‘the Spirit of God’ was in him. So here was a divinely sent messenger, whom it would be impiety and madness to reject. Observe that Pharaoh and Joseph both speak in this chapter of ‘God.’ There was a common ground of recognition of a divine Being on which they met. The local colour of the story indicates a period before the fuller revelation, which drew so broad a line of demarcation between Israel and the other nations. (“The Book of Genesis” [commentary by Alexander Maclaren])

Joseph represents a great illustration of that verse. When he was sold into slavery, his first master was Potiphar. It says in Genesis 39:3-4 that Potiphar recognized that God was him. That doesn’t mean that Potiphar worshiped God, as much as it means that he appreciated the talent and integrity of Joseph. Several chapters later, Pharaoh sees the same thing and responds by putting Joseph in charge of Egypt (Gen 41:37-38).

Think about this: This  particular Pharaoh had put his chief baker to death not more than one chapter ago. We’re not sure why, but traditionally rulers – especially pagan rulers –  are the sort where if you impress them as being a threat or even an irritant, your future was anything but certain. Yet, this same Pharaoh promotes an obscure prisoner to Prime Minister – an individual who, according to Pharaoh, will wield a degree of power that will be second only to his authority. That’s not a decision made by someone who’s predisposed to view anyone with talent and charisma as a potential problem. But with Joseph, Pharaoh sees a plethora of talent as well as moral excellence –  a combination so extraordinary that both Pharaoh and his court were convinced that the philosophical machinery that propelled Joseph was nothing short of Divine (Gen 41:39).

It wasn’t a difficult conclusion to arrive at. Did you catch what Joseph’s reply was to Pharaoh when he said that he had a dream that no one could interpret? He references his magicians and how their wisdom has proved unequal to the task but then – talking to Joseph – he said, “I hear you can do it.”

This is a perfect opportunity for Joseph to position himself where all of the forthcoming accolades are bestowed upon him and him alone. But what does he say?

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Gen 41:16)

Joseph has a resolve in place to give credit where it is due, regardless of how seemingly appropriate it might be to take a bow himself. His priority is to step aside rather than to stand in front.

That’s noble.

Given the fact that Joseph was scheduled to return to prison just as soon as this little rendezvous was over, to be that aggressive in graciously deflecting any applause to his God is indicative of the kind of character that is truly rare.  But then Joseph goes on to accurately interpret Pharaoh’s dream.

That’s impressive.

But what sells both Pharaoh and the court is Joseph’s obvious affinity for administration.

That’s a game-changer.

However Joseph’s spirituality and character were appreciated, it was Joseph’s plan that resulted in him being promoted (Gen 41:37).

Again, it’s a situation where you’ve got to keep reading. If you stop at verse 16, Joseph is reverent. If you stop at verse 32, Joseph is insightful. But when you read verse 33 and beyond, you’ve got a man who’s capable. And not just qualified, but legitimately gifted.

This is the total package that stands before Pharaoh: Character and Talent. Joseph lights up the room. Not because of who Joseph is but because of Who God is in and through Joseph. And it’s the fact that Joseph has the character and the godliness to remove whatever self-centered tendencies would otherwise dim the Power of God radiating through him that allows the compelling Light of God’s Substance to shine as bright as it does.

That’s who Joseph is. It’s not a role that he acts out when it’s strategically advantageous to do so. Can you imagine the conversation Joseph had with his fellow inmates when he went back to prison to pick up whatever belongings he had prior to reporting back to Pharaoh where he would begin his new vocation as Prime Minister of Egypt?

(inmates) “How did it go?

(Joseph) “Pretty good!”

(inmates) “What happened?”

(Joseph) “Well…you’re not going to believe this…”

I’m willing to bet that the inmates were not that surprised.

As the Moon Reflects the Sun…

The bottom line is like the moon reflects the light of the sun, Joseph was a reflection of the Excellence of God. And that, crime-stoppers, is why you and I were born again – to reflect the Excellence of God in all things – to do “good works” in a way that makes every Pharaoh we encounter prone to take notice and to take notes (Prov 27:19; Eph 2:10; Matt 5:16; 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:8). In that way, while they notice our resume, even more importantly, they’re drawn to our King.

But it’s hard to pull that off, though, when you allow yourself to linger in that zone where the emphasis is on who you were apart from Christ rather then the person who is because of Christ.

Keep reading.

It’s not about your past, it’s about today and what God’s prepared to do in you and through you. Stop rehearsing the darkness and start performing according to the Power that lives in you. That’s your mandate, that’s your purpose!

And when you’re inclined to focus more on yourself and your circumstances sans the One Who created you and directs those circumstances to begin with…

Keep reading!

 

 

1. “Institute for Faith, Work and Economics”, “Rich and Poor”, Dr. Glenn Sunshine, https://tifwe.org/part-1-2/, accessed September 23, 2015

My Bride

MarriageLicense_webWhen I’m in my car, I like listening to either music or comedy. On occasion, I’ll listen to a podcast of some sort, but generally speaking, I usually want to either groove or laugh.

A lot of the comedians I listen to will poke fun at domesticity – specifically the dynamic that often exists between a man and his wife. For the most part, it’s hysterical. But every now and then, I’ll get a little uncomfortable at the way marriage is portrayed as an institution that robs a man of his masculinity.

The schtick usually revolves around the way a man is prohibited from doing what he wants to do. It may be something trivial or it may be something significant, but in either case the wife is portrayed as an obstacle to her husband’s preferences in terms of how he wants to spend his time and even the way he thinks.

It’s funny because there isn’t a married man who can’t identify with the task of having to occasionally alter his perspective on himself and the world around him in order to preserve the harmony that exists between himself and his bride. But does that qualify as a surrender of one’s hold on what it means to be a “man?”

I don’t think so.

When I took my vows, I promised to honor Michelle. To honor her, I’ve got to be both willing and able to make her perspective a priority. That’s not difficult for a man who’s secure in himself, but it’s a potential dealbreaker to the male who’s determined to remain fundamentally prideful and self absorbed.

That’s not to say my wife is always right, but I will say that I have benefited from my bride’s viewpoint on multiple occasions. I may not have been open to it initially, but because I had been taught that true strength is expressed in the context of humility and a willingness to listen, my situation as well as our collective dynamic, was dramatically improved (Phil 2:3-4).

Much of the literature that’s out there that pertains to leadership emphasizes the importance of character and leading by example. Nowhere is that more important than in the way a man leads his family, which starts with the relationship he has with his wife. There’s no other person on the planet who possesses a more comprehensive view on my strengths as well as those areas where there’s room for improvement than Michelle. In the same way, there’s no other human being that can breathe life into me as profoundly as she can. The reason she has such complete access to me is because I love her and the reason I listen to her, even when I may be inclined to dismiss what she has to say, is because I choose to honor her above myself.

That’s not a compromise of my masculinity, that’s an expression of it.

 

But Look How Much They Care for One Another…

coupleIt’s interesting to pop the hood on those relationships that are, by definition, contrary to the way God has set things up. For example, two people who live together, but are not married. Or, an extramarital affair or even a same sex marriage. There’s a tendency to bestow an element of honor on those relationships based on the way the couple in question appears to genuinely care for one another. But is that an accurate response? Is it healthy to, in some ways, minimize the fact that every one of those scenarios is frowned on by God, based on the way the parties that are involved seem genuinely committed to one another’s welfare and happiness?

No. And I’ll tell you why.

Everything about the aforementioned relationships is based on a resolve to rebel against the “good” that God has put in place. If you love somebody, you’re not going to put them in a position that invites the consequences of disobedience. If you insist on compromising them, it’s not their welfare that you’re looking to protect as much as it’s your determination to rebel that you’re wanting to promote.

There are those out there who will raise their voices in an anthem of praise and affirmation for those who choose a path that is characterized by pain, ruin and despair (Phil 3:19). If in any way, shape or form you affirm an individual who’s engaged in a condemned relationship, you’re inevitably contributing to the agenda that seeks diminish the substance of what each of those scenarios represent: Rebellion. And those stories never have a happy ending.

An adulterer who cares for his mistress, a homosexual couple holding hands or a guy and his girlfriend saving money so they can buy a couch for their apartment – it’s not that they care for each other as much as they’re determined to live out a selfish resolve to replace God’s Word with their own law.

And that doesn’t work…

Christianity – It Cannot be Believed by a Thinking Person

hitchensBut in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Pet 3:15)

I) Intro

There are a number of very vocal and very articulate people out there who sneer at Christianity, as though it were a preposterous notion to subscribe to something so ridiculous. Christopher Hitchens is one of those people. In this installment of MC, we’re going to take a look at some of what he says and offer a rebuttal that reveals his platform as flawed, limited and nonsensical.

Let’s take a look…

II) Christopher Hitchens

Hitchens was born in 1939 and recently passed away in 2011. He was an English writer who spent a great deal of time in the US and eventually became a citizen. A gifted speaker, he was a forceful orator, especially when it came to the issue of religion. At one point, he said that a person “could be an atheist and wish that belief in god were correct”, but that “an antitheist, a term I’m trying to get into circulation, is someone who is relieved that there’s no evidence for such an assertion”.1 Richard Dawkins, a British evolutionary biologist and an avowed atheist, said of Hitchens, “I think he was one of the greatest orators of all time. He was a polymath, a wit, immensely knowledgeable, and a valiant fighter against all tyrants, including imaginary supernatural ones.”2

Today we’re looking at one example of Hitchens’ commentaries on Christianity which you can find on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbOUBUVLvKw. Here’s a brief summary of some of what he had to say: hitchens_comments III) Privacy

Privacy, in this instance, is an issue only if you’re interested in hiding something from God. And the only reason you would be interested in hiding something is if you had something you were hesitant to divulge before Him. In other words, you, like Cain, are trying to slip by unnoticed in order to preserve the illusion that you are blameless (Gen 4:9; Ps 51:5). No one is. But that is not an occasion to resent God’s Omniscience, rather it’s something to celebrate as far as being completely known and yet completely loved.

Psalm 139. He observes how God is completely aware of every nuance of his heart and mind. He revels in the freedom he has before God to be utterly transparent and, at the same time supremely confident that he is accepted by a Holy God.

What’s the difference between Moses and Christopher? The difference is that Christopher superimposes the flaws of humanity upon God’s holiness because the idea of Divine Perfection reside beyond the borders of his definition of what’s reasonable. Hence, God’s ability to know someone completely is processed as surveillance rather than omniscience. And in the same way, he processes omnipotence as arrogance.

It Can’t Be Believed by a Thinking Person
(Christianity) can’t be believed by a thinking person. Why am I glad this is the case? To get to the point of the wrongness of Christianity, because I think the teachings of Christianity are immoral. The central one is the most immoral of all, and that is the one of vicarious redemption. (Christopher Hitchens)

IV) Indifferent and Distant

He goes on to say that for the better part of 98,000 years God did nothing as man struggled and suffered. The Old Testament makes it obvious that God was very involved in the lives of His people, so to say that He was doing nothing is a gross understatement. Consider the Exodus, the enumerable military campaigns of the Israeli army, the time of the judges, as well as the way in which all of the Major and Minor Prophets describe God as being intimately aware of His people’s condition and completely committed to their welfare.

No doubt, Christopher questions God’s activity with the other people groups that aren’t mentioned in Scripture. What of those that didn’t have access to Christ? What of those who never heard of the Ten Commandments?

In Rev 5:9 that there will be people from every nation throughout history in Heaven. While the Bible doesn’t go into any kind of detail as to how that works, one can rest assured that the Message of God’s grace will have been communicated and his judgement will be fair (Acts 10:34-35; Rom 1:20; Jas 2:25). Click here for more reading on that subject.

V) In the Desert

Christopher’s also critical of God’s decision to announce His Solution to sin to a people “in the desert” who are not nearly as literate or as advanced as the Chinese. At the time of Christ, the Roman Empire was under the authority of Caesar Augustus. Never before had so many human beings acknowledged the authority of a single leader. His subjects formed more than one third of the entire global population.3 When you couple that with Rome’s educational system, which was heavily influenced by the Greeks, along with Rome’s engineering and technology, Hitchens comment is revealed as being less than credible. Rome was very well positioned to serve as a starting point for the gospel message (see Acts 25:12; 28:30).

VI) Christianity is Immoral

Hitchens then goes on to say that he regards the Christian message to be immoral. His conclusion is derived from a limited perspective on the consequences of any kind of wrongdoing. While it is both appropriate and biblical to take responsibility for the wrongful act that you’ve committed (Matt 5:23-26), the spiritual ramifications of sin are both eternal and lethal and cannot be offset by any kind of human effort (2 Sam 12:13 [see also http://www.reformation21.org/articles/a-godcentered-understanding-of-sin.php]). In other words, being ethical may address the material debt incurred by your actions and it may even ease the tension felt as a result of your wrongdoing, but it accomplishes nothing as far as paying the debt that is owed to God.

That’s what makes grace so amazing. It’s not a question of the lengths you go to in order to compensate for your actions – that’s an expected response from a moral perspective. But neither you nor I can atone for our sin on our own (Heb 10:4). It requires a Divine Solution. And when you consider the price that God was willing to pay for said solution, to regard it as immoral is nonsensical. Rather, it’s a kind of love that is nothing short of outrageous in that it is entirely undeserved, yet freely given (1 Jn 3:1).

VII) No Win Scenario

Finally, Hitchens concludes that God has created a no win scenario by imposing expectations that are impossible to live up to. Coupled with the fact that He’s aware of, not only your outward behavior, but also the agendas within the hidden recesses of your mind, you are lost and condemned from the very start.

Paul refers to the same “no win” scenario that Hitchens observes in Romans 7. This is a man that was blameless, as far as keeping the law (Phil 3:6). But however pristine he may have looked on the outside, he knew that before God, all his righteous acts were like filthy rags and he was a slave to sin (Is 64:6; Rom 7:14). And it’s not that God has orchestrated this situation, rather it goes back to the fact that man chose this dynamic back in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:15-17; 3 :16-19). But while man chose to live in the context of this sitting, God provided a Remedy that Paul builds up to in Romans 7:24-25 where he says, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

VIII) Conclusion

The fundamental flaw in Hitchens’ reasoning is that his philosophical starting point positions himself in the center of the universe as opposed to God. Woodrow Wilson once said, “If you make yourself the center of the universe, all your perspective is skewed. There is only one moral center of the universe, and that is God. If you get into right relation with Him, then you have your right perspective and your right relation and your right size.”4 Hitchens has determined that God cannot exist outside the parameters of his intellectual preferences. His limited knowledge of Scripture coupled with a resolve to process the whole of life and creation according to a personal paradigm that reduces the enormity of the cosmos and the intricacies of the human experience to something that fits within an academic shoebox, results in something that appears controlled and calculated, but is revealed as being pathetically inept when confronted with the world as it truly is.

But here’s the thing: Hitchens isn’t going to be swayed by mere reason alone. For him, this kind of debate is more along the lines of chess where people position their arguments like they would move their bishops and pawns on a chessboard. That isn’t to say that you don’t engage people like Christopher. Paul never shied away from debating the logic of the gospel. You see that in Acts 17 when he was in Athens and engaged the philosophers and the great thinkers in that city. But for people like Christopher, you want to challenge their logic with not only your rebuttal but with your life. It’s there where the Power of God is most compelling. Ideas are one thing, but the ideals that guide and empower the life that is worth imitating – that’s what makes the difference, that’s what silences the critics and that’s what points people to Christ.

1. “Christopher Hitchens”, https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Christopher_Hitchens, accessed June 19, 2015
2. Ibid
3. Bible Hub, “The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ. Upwards of a Quarter of a Century Before the Birth of Christ”, William Dool Killen, http://biblehub.com/library/killen/the_ancient_church/chapter_i_the_roman_empire.htm, accessed June 19, 2015
4. “Wilson”, A. Scott Berg, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, N.Y., 2013, p37

Faith Versus Fiction

stained_glassYou’ve heard the statement “It takes more faith to be an atheist…”

I’ve concluded that when you’re conversing with a non-believer, that’s not a strategic contribution to the dialogue. In a way you’re implying that there’s a more noble effort being put forth by eliminating God from the human experience than there is by revering His Presence and Activity.

Faith in God isn’t always logical in that you’re operating according to a perspective that exceeds the boundaries of human intellect. It’s because of the way it sometimes flies in the face of what’s empirical, that critics sneer at anything that strikes them as supernatural and therefore nonsensical. The problem with their platform, however, is that in an effort to explain the created order or to establish a sound philosophical base for morals and a sense of purpose, they’re obligated to adhere to imaginary numbers and concepts that exist in theory more so than practice. It’s not faith they deploy in those moments, rather it’s a resolve to maintain the illusion of control over themselves and their environment. While they insist theirs is a more rational perspective, in the light of Truth, it’s nothing more than an alluring fiction.

On the other hand, faith in Christ is based on a historical reality. The Person Jesus Christ did exist and the circumstances surrounding His birth, life, death and resurrection are documented in Scripture and corroborated by other extra-biblical accounts. It’s neither illogical nor unreasonable to accept and trust Christ as the One He claimed to be. And when you’re subscribing to a Resource that can be trusted, it is no longer illogical to embrace whatever content comes from that Resource, regardless of how it may or may not resonate with the obvious.

In business, you’re inevitably confronted with things you can neither control nor anticipate. The best product, the best marketing strategy, the best business plan can be dismantled in an instant by an unexpected occurrence. Look at what it says in James:

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. (Jas 4:13-16 [see also Prov 27:1])

What this verse is pointing out is that in light of the fact that we can never know what awaits us just around the corner, it’s not smart to brag about anything that has yet to happen. Regardless of how you’ve prepared and schemed, the outcome is totally in the Hands of God. That’s why, following the directions of your Heavenly Father in terms of a business strategy, while it may not look as though you’re operating in a sensible manner, it is very sensible to navigate your vessel from the Perspective of One Who both knows and sees everything whereas you and I are limited to that which is right in front of us (see Luke 5:4-6).

When you’re being truly faithful, you’re being genuinely wise. There’s nothing ludicrous in handing over the day to day operations of your shop to One Who is in a position to guide and direct based on unlimited Strength and a Perspective not restrained by the limitations of a human perspective.

So keep the faith and be assured that you’re being smart in doing so. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your indication like the noonday sun.” (Ps 37:4-6)