Transitory Psychosis

Now might be a good time to get into the rehab business, helping people put their lives back together and deal with their addictions–real and perceived. I noticed a teaser on a magazine cover at the drug store checkout: “Jesse James Goes to Rehab.” Apparently after being caught cheating on his wife, Sandra Bullock, James has decided he needs rehabilitation. He joins a long list of celebs that have done stints in rehab.

Most notably in recent months, Tiger Woods has spent some time in rehab trying to put his life back together after his sexcapades were exposed. Last week, Tiger was back on the links at the Masters making some amazingly good (and bad) shots and scowling his way around the course. At a tee on Saturday, Tiger was so frustrated by his drive that he blew up, spouting profanities. The announcer said, “Well, at least one thing hasn’t changed.”

Now I’m not trying to say rehab is all a scam. I know some people who have been helped through rehab programs. Neither am I saying that once a person goes through rehab we should expect him to behave perfectly from then on. Habits of all kinds are hard to break, I know. So I’m not criticizing Jesse or Tiger or anyone else.

I do find it interesting though that in so-called “post-Christian America,” rehab has become a means of rebuilding a public image. There was a time when people would “get religion” in order to accomplish that end. Years ago, people might be photographed going to church after their misdeeds had been exposed. Sometimes it smelled phony and probably was. The same thing is true of rehab today.

The sad thing to me is that both approaches miss the one ingredient that can truly change a life forever–a genuine personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Rehab can certainly help you cope with a life out of control. It may even been a successful means of breaking free from a self-destructive habit. But it cannot bring about the inner change that comes from a personal relationship with God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. That is a change that will last for eternity.

The evidence of Christ’s ability to transform a life is plentiful and exhibits abound. From the apostle Paul who went from a Christ-hater to a Christ-follower to my friend Gene who went from a drunken patron of the rescue mission to a pillar of his church and community. Tiger can change. So can Jesse. So can you. But I’m convinced that change requires a fundamental “rewiring” of the soul found only in Jesus Christ.

I ran across a sports story yesterday that left me scratching my head. Here’s an excerpt:

Gordano were first to cross the whitewash, with wing Jack Thomas scoring out wide. The home side replied with an unconverted try, but the Sharks responded with a dominant period, with the superb Ben Harvey taking the ball to within yards of the line, No 9 Gavlar Yandell [no relation, by the way] eventually going over.



Playing down the slope, Gordano’s seven-man pack led by skipper Matt Rollings, still had the upper hand, with Harvey and flanker Mike Yandell [again, no relation] prominent.



With confidence high, the Sharks turned down a kick at goal, opting to use their powerful backs to run the ball. This paid dividends, with fly-half Aaron French crashing over.



Soon after Gordano were punished for overcomplicating a move in midfield. A loose pass was collected by the home side, and fluid passing saw the wing score in the corner.

Now, I’m a lifelong sports fan. But reading this story left me confused. What is the world is the “whitewash” and a “sin-bin.” What does a “fly-half” do and how do you “overcomplicate a move in midfield”? A rugby fan could answer all of those questions and move, but I am woefully ignorant of the sport of rugby. The terminology, descriptions, and jargon leave me with more questions than answers.

Near the article’s end, a realization hit me. This is exactly how the unchurched feel when they are confronted with the in-house jargon of Christianity. So often, we are speaking a language they don’t understand.

The further our culture moves away from its historical Christian consensus the more imperative it is that we define and refine our terminology so this marvelous message we bear can be accurately understood.

In truth, it’s hard work to “translate” the gospel into the language of our times. It is much easier to just speak to those who are already on the “inside.” And, in fact, a few (very few) will actually dig in to learn “our” language. But most will do what I’m doing with the rugby story. Smile, shrug my shoulders, and go back to what is familiar. We simply can’t be content to let that happen.

A newspaper editor told me once, “Words are little bombs.” He’s right. Words have the ability to set off huge explosions, devastating anyone nearby. They also have the ability to frame a discussion to the advantage of one side or the other.

Another term I see a lot these days is progressive. It’s often used in political discussions, almost always in reference to the liberal side. Lately, I’m seeing it in discussions regarding the work of the church. One side, usually the one advocating change, refers to itself as progressive. The other side is usually termed conservative, but I get the idea that some who consider themselves progressive would really like to call the others regressive.

Of course, by definition, progressive refers to that which is relating to or characterized by making progress. Certainly those who adopt that label want to think their agenda is all about moving forward. I’m finding, however, that some who call themselves progressives are not moving forward but away from. For instance, some who advocate the ordination of homosexuals are quick to call themselves progressive. In reality, they are moving away from the truth. Likewise, some American politicians who call themselves progressives are simply moving away from the bedrock values of the United States.

Personally, I’m in favor of true progress–a move forward–toward that which is truly for the betterment (both temporal and eternal) of all people. When I see such moves, I’ll be glad to stand with the progressives. But when the move is away from the truth, I’ll gladly stand with those who seek to preserve it.

In the meantime, let’s be cautious in the way we choose and use our terminologies. Especially in the church, we must be fair in not only what we say about our brethren but what our terms imply about them as well.

I’ll be attending a funeral this weekend. The deceased is a cousin of mine and a long-time pastor. He was, in fact, my pastor for a time when I was in college. You will not find his name among the pastoral “superstars.” He was never invited to speak at a big “church growth” conference or quoted as an authority on preaching. He was, however, a faithful man of God who loved God, loved people, and was true to his calling.

I’m actually looking forward to the service in a way. It will be a celebration of a live well lived and a glorious entrance into heaven. There will be a number of people present whose lives were impacted by the deceased. I expect more than a few admirers and perhaps even some who were not his fans. No doubt, his faithful, compassionate, and often Christlike ministry will be remembered fondly. So, too, will his godly character.

He’s not the only one of his kind. In hundreds of churches, in rural communities and sprawling cities, there are men just like him who serve God and their flocks with dignity and grace. They live exemplary (not perfect) lives, often serving in hard places for low wages. You won’t hear about them on the news. Their congregations are too small for the media to notice and their conduct is too righteous to create a scandal. Their only recognition comes from their small flock and the God who sees all.

One day, these faithful men of God will step into glory and another man, nameless and faceless to this world, will step up to take their place. Friends and family will mourn the passing of these men. Few others will pay any attention.
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Matthew Henry

Last night, as I faced a rather thorny biblical passage, I searched several books for an answer. I finally found it in Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. When I was placing the book back on the shelf I thought once again, “Matthew, my brother, the English-speaking part of the body of Christ owes you a great debt.” Henry died in 1714, nearly three centuries ago. In the providence of God, He left a written work that is still in use today.
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We’re in California this week for the birth of our granddaughter, Noelle Rose Yandell. (See pic.) This morning, we visited The Church at Rocky Peak, where my son and his family attend. It was a good service and I enjoyed the worship and message.

The service was more contemporary than our home church (which is a bit more contemporary than a lot of churches), but I am reminded of how very big the body of Christ (Christians everywhere) really is. Sometimes we get wrapped up in our little worlds and forget there are sincere believers all around the world who love the Lord just like we do.
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Working with today’s teens and young adults can result in a bit of culture shock for anyone over 35 or so. Emerging generations view the world and the church quite differently than did their fathers and grandfathers.

Once in a while, I run across an individual or presentation that helps narrow that vaunted “generation gap.” The video below is just the latest. It’s a little long for this forum (just over 8 minutes), but if you work with, minister to, or parent a Gen Xer, it’s well worth your time. I’d love to hear your comments.

As usual, I have no control over any videos YouTube attaches to this, so use discretion in viewing an additional videos.

One reason some people deny the existence of God has to do with the presence of evil and suffering. The argument goes like this: How could there be a good and loving God when there is so much evil and suffering in our world?

That statement is usually followed by a rehearsing of all the heinous activities occurring in our world: war, cancer, child molestation, slavery, etc. If God really exists, they say, why doesn’t He do something about all of this?
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In recent days a unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage in that state. Conservative Iowans are outraged and it is possible the decision will eventually be voided by an amendment to the state constitution. The process for getting such an amendment on the ballot is lengthy, however, requiring any proposed amendment to first pass in the state legislature in two consecutive sessions.

For now, at least, Iowa joins Vermont and Massachusetts as states where gay marriage is legal. (California’s Supreme Court ruled in a similar fashion, but an amendment to the state constitution was passed in November effectively outlawing gay marriage. That amendment is being challenged in court.)

The reaction to the gay marriage issue seems to be rather ho-hum among many Christians. What difference does it make? Does it really matter if we place gay marriage on-par with heterosexual marriage? After all, to oppose gay marriage often results in being portrayed in the press as hateful and bigoted, so why not ignore it and focus on things that are more important? However, Christians (and non-Christians alike) need to understand that this IS a big deal . . . perhaps bigger than you ever imagined.
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If you’ve seen the news, you’ve seen Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton stumping for her new bill proposing tighter gun control in the wake of a series of mass shootings in the U.S. According to the congresswoman’s press release, in the past 25 days (3/10 to 4/5) 53 people have been killed in mass murders on American soil.

There’s no doubt that those numbers are disturbing. These events have left many people asking why these killers feel compelled to take others with them to their grave, especially those who are entirely innocent of wrongdoing.

While I’m no expert when it comes to gun control (and for the record, I’m not a member of the NRA), I’m not convinced tighter gun control would eliminate such senseless shootings. The nuts would still get their hands on a gun, even if no one else could.
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