Archive for November, 2005
Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative
November 30th, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in » In the News...
A new initiative petition regarding stem cell research was approved for circulation recently in Missouri. Should the initiative garner enough signatures, it will go to voters in 2006.
The official ballot title (from http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/06init_pet.asp#200608) follows:
OFFICIAL BALLOT TITLE AS CERTIFIED BY
SECRETARY OF STATE
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow and set limitations on stem cell research, therapies, and cures which will:
- ensure Missouri patients have access to any therapies and cures, and allow Missouri researchers to conduct any research, permitted under federal law;
- ban human cloning or attempted cloning;
- require expert medical and public oversight and annual reports on the nature and purpose of stem cell research;
- impose criminal and civil penalties for any violations; and
- prohibit state or local governments from preventing or discouraging lawful stem cell research, therapies and cures?
The proposed constitutional amendment would have an estimated annual fiscal impact on state and local governments of $0-$68,916.
Sounds great, huh? We’re going to allow Missourians access to any therapies or cures stem-cell research provides, allow research in Missouri permitted by federal law, ban human cloning, small financial impact to the state, etc…. All motherhood and apple pie, huh?
Better check out the entire text (http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006petitions/ppStemCell.asp).
A couple things I noticed when reading the entirety of the text:
- Embryonic stem cell research is allowed, with limited restrictions (basically just whatever federal restrictions are in existance… anything allowed by federal law can occur).
- Research involving somatic cell nuclear transfer is NOT prohibited. This is a fancy way of saying that cloning cells is allowed. The prohibitions on cloning are solely in regard to actually implanting anything in the uterus in an attempt to initiate pregnancy. In a nutshell… you can clone all the embryos you want, so long as you’re using them for research and not trying to grow a baby.
- It allows for the destruction of existing embryos awaiting implantation (assuming that they are donated and federal law allows it).
Don’t be fooled by the spin in the ballot initiative… this is NOT as benign as proponents want you to believe!
What Would You Do?
November 30th, 2005 | 3 Comments | Posted in » My Life
Here’s a quandary I’ve got right now…
A sibling has purchased and sent a Christmas gift to my three-year-old. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but the gift is rather excessive (costing more than any two of the gifts my wife and I have bought for our children), and for that reason, feels wholly inappropriate. We’ve always bought gifts for each other (and now each other’s kids), but never anything too expensive or extravagent.
My wife and I would very much like to keep Christmas gifts within reason, so as not to distract our kids from what Christmas is really all about… Jesus. My sibling does not understand this fact, and celebrates Christmas in a far more secular manner.
I’m most curious to hear what others would do… I’m quite perplexed as to how I want to handle this. On one hand, I want to talk to my sibling and request that the gift be returned or exchanged for something more reasonable… on the other, I feel that perhaps I should just be gracious, allow the gift to be given, and express thanks.
So… what would you do?
Santa Catapult!
November 30th, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in » Just For Fun...
Tired of all the commercialism of Christmas? Tired of the focus on things other than Jesus?
You’ll enjoy this, then… the Santa Catapult game.
Orange Cows?
November 30th, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in » In the News...
So it’s hunting season, and you don’t want any of your animals accidentally shot. Paint them orange!
IMB Baptismal Requirements
November 30th, 2005 | 2 Comments | Posted in » Baptist Issues
Micah (micahfries.com) brings up an excellent question arising from a recent issue regarding baptistmal requirements for IMB missionaries.
What are your thoughts on correct methods for baptism? What’s a definite Biblical requirement? What’s negotiable?
Check out the discussion and share your thoughts at: http://friesville.blogspot.com/2005/11/baptism-really-big-deal-in-baptist.html.
(As Micah notes, there’s more on the IMB issue at http://www.stevekmccoy.com/sbc/2005/11/imb_tongues_and.html.)
“I’ll Never Do That Again…”
November 29th, 2005 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies
While sitting at break today, my co-workers were talking about things our company could do for Christmas (apparently, we always do something charitable). I heard one of them tell the following story about previous activities…
A couple years ago, our company provided food and gifts for a needy family in our community. Apparently, this co-worker was one of two individuals from our company that delivered the gifts. This family was FAR from ungrateful… breaking into tears over the gifts… gushing over how much they appreciated what had been done… just showing their thankfulness on and on. According to my co-worker, even months later they would run into this family and be continually thanked for the generosity.
So what made me relay this story on here? It’s what my co-worker said when wrapping up the story… “I’ll NEVER do that again!”
Ever been in that kind of situation? Doing something Christ-like, yet feeling awkward about it to the point you almost wish you didn’t do it? Ever said, “I’ll never do that again” after such a thing?
Most of us would probably answer yes, which puts us in kind of a tough spot.
Remember Matthew 16:24-25?
Matthew 16:24-25
“24… If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
Yeah. If we’re going to follow Jesus, we’ve got to carry our cross, and be willing to give up our life for Him. That means that when doing something Christ-like is uncomfortable… we do it anyway. When doing something Christ-like is difficult… we do it anyway. When doing something Christ-like brings fear… we do it anyway.
We’ve got to be willing to follow Christ no matter the cost. Our fear… our self-consciousness… our feelings of inadequacy… our unfounded worries… we simply can’t let these things hold us back.
When it comes to following Christ’s example… may we never allow ourselves to take attitudes of “I’ll never do that again”.
Still Searching…
November 28th, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in » In the News...
Did you hear? Apparently, there’s another statue of Mary weeping tears of blood.
Check out a few quotes from news stories about this:
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10237371:
“The baby is just a week old. We thought we would come out and pray to Mary and … have Mary bless the baby too,” says Amber.
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Others are visibly shaken by the image — considered by many a sign that something bad will happen. “I believe,” says Noc Lee.
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“I don’t know. It could be a miracle. But it’s a miracle just seeing people praying, you know? The faith of the people is something else,” says Margaret Herbert, a former diocese teacher.
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10239160:
One man who came from North Carolina said he believes the statue’s tears are proof that God exists.
“I think it real, I believe it, I think it’s true, this is real … I’m coming to pray,” Son Doan said.
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Jeremy Vega, bound to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, has been praying daily and asking for a sign from God that he will walk again. Vega said he believes this is the miracle that could make it happen.“For one, I’m not wearing braces no more. I used to wear braces and now I’m not … so that’s a pretty big step for me,” Vega said.
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10218566:
Since then, Truong said he has been at the church day and night, so emotional he can’t even work. He believes the tears are a sign.
“There’s a big event in the future — earthquake, flood, a disease,” Truong said. “We’re very sad.”
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“I think that it’s incredible. It’s a miracle. Why is she doing it? Is it something bothering her?” asked Maria Vasquez, 35, who drove with her parents and three children from Stockton, about 50 miles south of Sacramento.
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“I don’t know how to express what I’m feeling,” Operario said. “Since religion is the mother of believing, then I believe.”
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“It’s a call for us to change ourselves, to love one another,” Hoang said.
Interesting, huh? Such varied responses from these people of faith… belief that the statue could bring healing or blessing… belief that it could be a sign of future events… belief that it’s a call for change… belief that it’s a call to faith… you could almost undoubtedly ask 100 people and get 100 different responses.
So, what does this say about these people?
They’re still searching.
Searching for truth about God… for signs of things to come… for hope… for healing… for something to awe… for blessing… for meaning… from a statue?
Now, I understand that miracles are a very exciting thing, so if this phenomena is real… yes, it would be very cool to witness. But searching for hope, meaning, or anything else in it? Does anyone that believes that Jesus is our everything actually do that? Do we really believe we need anything else but Him?
If we think about it… we’re all guilty as charged. It’s not just Catholics in California…
We’re all still searching.
Think about it… family… friends… jobs… money… sports… you name it. What do you put in place of Jesus to fill perceived holes in your heart?
Do you (as I), often times find yourself unfulfilled by the things that fill your life… still searching?
Why not let Jesus truly be everything?
One of Ten Lepers…
November 23rd, 2005 | 2 Comments | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies
Just in time for Thanksgiving… a lesson about lepers. Not quite the traditional stuff of Thanksgiving, huh?
Before we get to lepers, though, let’s think about another upcoming holiday… Christmas.
Remember when you were young? You’ve eagerly anticipated Christmas morning for weeks… wondering what awaits you under the tree… wondering what kind of cool toys you’ll get this year. Christmas morning arrives, and you race downstairs, dig around under the tree, and find two presents. Carefully opening the first… you discover a package of socks. You grunt, set these aside, and tear into the second. “YES!”, you exclaim, as you jump around the room with the toy you’ve always wanted. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!”, you exclaim to your parents over and over.
Why the difference in response?
Of course… one package was socks… the other a treasured toy. We are less thankful for one because it’s not something we’ve wanted as badly.
Now, think about the lepers in the following Scripture passage. Put yourself in their place… hopelessly outcast from their family, friends, and society… Ignored and avoided by all… accused of being in their physical condition because of a perceived spiritual problem.
Luke 17:11-19
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
How would you respond?
Chances are, better than you did when you received socks.
Why? It’s obvious, I know, but important. Our level of thankfulness is not just dependent on the desire we have for the gift received, but also the magnitude of the need that was met by the gift.
So how did the lepers respond?
Luke 17:11-19
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
One of ten lepers came back and gave thanks to Jesus. Counter-intuitive, huh? You’d think ALL of them would be so thankful for their healing… for the magnitude of the gift given by Jesus… that they’d all return to praise and worship Him.
But think… do we not do the same? Are we like the one leper, or the nine? Do we give adequate praise, worship, and thanks to Jesus for the gift He’s given (for our salvation)? Do we live life as if the gift of salvation were nothing more than a package of socks, or do we treasure it far above anything else?
If you’re like me, you fall short in expressing thankfulness to God. Even knowing the magnitude of the gift, so many of us just go on with our lives as the nine lepers did… oblivious to grace… oblivious to the pain Jesus endured on our behalf… oblivious to the claim He now has on our lives… oblivious to the fact that our offerings are tainted by our indifference.
So? What’s it going to be from here forward? Will you be the one of ten to return and give praise? Will you allow yourself to see the wonder of God’s grace and mercy in your life, and be blown away with thanks and awe? Will you allow yourself to treasure Christ above all?
I certainly hope so.
Little Drummer Boy
November 22nd, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies
Maybe it’s an indication of where I’m at in my relationship with Jesus (I’m coming out of my spiritual desert), but this year, I find myself listening to Christmas carols earlier than in any year previous.
Audio Adrenaline’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” seems to be my favorite so far. Aside from the music itself (which I absolutely love), the lyrics are really speaking to me:
from “Little Drummer Boy”, as performed by Audio Adrenaline
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum…
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum… Oh yeah!
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum …
That’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.Shall I play for you? Oh yeah… Shall I play for you? Oh Yeah! On my drum? On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum…
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum…
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum…
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.Then He smiled at me… Oh yeah! Then Jesus smiled at me! Oh yeah! Me and my drum.
Maybe that’s not an exact transcript (I’m going from memory), but it’s clear why these lyrics have been touching my heart so deeply… they’re right in line with a common theme God’s working on in my life now… offerings.
What do I have that I can offer that would be worthy of the King of Kings? Absolutely nothing. Yet… it’s not what we give that matters, but the heart with which we give. When I give anything to Him wholeheartedly, even something so simple as a song… He smiles upon it, and is pleased.
How awesome is that?
So… what have you offered Jesus today? Have you brought a smile to His face?
Are Your Offerings Worthy? (3)
November 21st, 2005 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Devotions / Bible Studies
Ever been in a spiritual desert? You know, those times where your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling… where nothing you try to do for God seems to work out right… where you get discouraged in your faith, and wonder if God has left you?
Malachi gives us some insight. True to theme, it fits in with the idea of worthy offerings.
Malachi 2:11-14
11Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. 12As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob — even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.13Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
As I mentioned in part 2 of these “worthy” devotions, we have a tendency to focus on God’s love and grace above all other qualities. In doing so, we can miss the mark on so much of our understanding of God.
So, when you think of God, do you ever think about Him being jealous? Do you ever think about how much He desires for us to live in a right relationship with Him… not just to do His will, but to truly love Him? Do you ever think about the pain it causes Him when we place other gods before Him, especially when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt the price Jesus paid for our salvation?
So what does this have to do with spiritual deserts? Think about it… when we’re in the desert, wandering, it’s often times our own fault… our own sin has led us to exile. Often times, we have almost unknowingly divorced ourselves from God through our love relationships with other gods. Think about it… what things do you place ahead of God in your life sometimes? Love for family? Desire for bigger and better things? Enthusiasm for a sports team? Your job? Your appearance?
Now, we know that God alone is worthy of our worship, our praise, and our adoration. We know that our sin separates us from Him. We know that He desires the best of our offerings, not half-hearted, tainted worship. How should He respond when we plead with Him for blessing during those times that our entire lives offer nothing to Him (or worse, are so tainted as to be detestable)?
And we wonder why He does not bless us? We wonder why we feel we’re in a spiritual desert? We wail and cry about Him being distant?
Who moved?
If we examine our lives in light of this, often times we’ll find that we did. We’ll often find that we have been spiritually adulterous. We’ll find that our offerings are detestable to God. We’ll find that we have broken faith with the only one who will ever truly love us unconditionally… with our true love… with our Lord.
So… I ask again… are your offerings worthy?
Thankfully, we can still be reconciled if we are forced to answer, “no”. God still loves us unconditionally… His grace is still abundant… and His forgiveness is readily available to the repentent.
I pray that we all will examine our hearts, refocus our worship, and truly make our lives into offerings worthy of receipt by the King of Kings.
