A Closer Look: Important Reads from the Weekend

Here are a few articles you might not want to miss:

* “Killing O’Reilly’s Reagan” (Stephen Hayward, Power Line)

* “The Obama Intifada” (Matthew Continetti, National Review)

* “Introducing The ‘Democratic Socialist’ Party” (David Harsanyi, The Federalist)

* “We Band of Brothers -- 600th anniversary of Agincourt" (Josh Gelernter, National Review) 

* “Sweden Close to Collapse” (Ingrid Carlqvist, Gatestone Institute)

* “Perpetual Green Weenie Awarded” (Steve Hayward, Power Line)

* “The Sentencing Trap” (Paul Mirengoff & William G. Otis, Weekly Standard)

* “The One-State Solution, Cont’d” (Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review)

* “Doctor Zhivago and American Conservatism” (Benjamin Musachio, National Review)

Moving Through Heaven #6: Jim Shares Some Provocative Thoughts

Background — I have invited a few friends from across the country to join me (and each other) in reading Randy Alcorn’s masterful study, HEAVEN, and then engaging in some dialogue about what we’re reading and thinking about it. Even though I've re-read the book a few times, I'm again taking notes and praying through key points...and there are a gang of those! Previous posts can be found by scrolling down through the blog.

Here's the latest response from Jim Bingham.

I feel clean after reading Randy's quote of John Updike at the very beginning of Chapter 11. It strikes me as an encouraging clarion call to simply believe God for Christ's resurrection. It is spoken boldly as a prophet would speak it; like a man who simply believes God for what He says. It's wonderful. Let me quote it again:

"... Let us not mock God with metaphor, analogy, sidestepping transcendence; making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages: let us walk through the door. - John Updike

I'd like to try my hand at similar admonition, aimed at the consequences of ill-begotten doubts:

Would you redefine and diminish the mighty works of the eternal God, guided only by ill-informed, finite, self-important musings of men who subtly and deceitfully seek options and evasion from what God has clearly expressed?
Do you recall the methods of the serpent, who used the very same tactics in the garden, and received judgment for it?
Do you not see that men die and need resurrection precisely because they believe and act on such deceits, and choose to rely on the damning delimitation of doubt, instead of straightforward belief in what God has said?
Stand. Believe. Attribute omnipotence to God and rejoice in His mighty works! Cease defining the light by what can barely be seen in the darkness in which you reside. Doing so imperils yourself and all who regard you.

Heaven and eternal life are necessarily reduced to deformed and misshapen concepts if reigned over by a God incapable of performing bodily resurrection.  To the delight of our souls, Jesus returned and walked among us, ate with us, spoke with us, as a resurrected being. We have been informed what He was like; thus, what we will be like; not apparitions seeking embodiment and purpose.(notwithstanding Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol")

The consequences of the Resurrection are immense and encompass all of creation. It is total. Rather than recap what Alcorn expressed in exquisite detail, I want to relate how it affects me as I read it.
- I am amazed that King Jesus endured death for me
- I am amazed that as my future became death owing to the federal headship of Adam, my future became life again, owing to the federal headship of Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
- Because Jesus died and was resurrected, all believers have the joyful expectation of eternal fellowship, uninterrupted by death or business demands, or time constraints.
- Some of the greatest words ever spoken are in John 14. "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO."

This is the greatest invitation ever offered. It is a genuine offer, and thrills the soul. It is possible because the resurrection is real, because God provided life for us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and imparted the benefits to us."  Such generosity is indescribable. Such a gift is unspeakable.  No such invitation could have been made based on mere metaphor or analogy. The resurrection was real, so the invitation is real.

Joy!

Moving Through Heaven #5: Anticipating Resurrection

Background — I have invited a few friends from across the country to join me (and each other) in reading Randy Alcorn’s masterful study, HEAVEN, and then engaging in some dialogue about what we’re reading and thinking about it. Even though I've re-read the book a few times, I'm again taking notes and praying through key points...and there are a gang of those! Below are a few observations I’ve made after reading Section 4 (Chapters 11-13).

* “Your body does not merely house the real you — it is as much a part of who you are as your spirit is…God designed our bodies to be an integral part of our total being.” The tendency to believe otherwise comes from the errors of Christoplatonism which the author discusses at several parts of the book. And he shows the Scriptural record to back up his points, especially the many references to the physical resurrection of Jesus AND of those believing in Him for salvation. Good stuff.

* The material on “redemptive continuity” was also excellent. God isn’t going to scrap His original creation and start over. And He certainly isn’t going to change us (after creating us as spiritual and physical beings) into disembodied spirits floating in some surreal fog. No, God is going to take us and through His great mercy and power redeem, restore, and renew us. And all of His creation too.

* Our resurrected bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrected body. Very real. Very much a physical thing.

* Chapters 12 and 13 with their discussion of the redemption of all creation were intriguing, exciting, and challenging to the max. Terrific! So too their analysis of Romans 8 and the curse upon creation which came with the fall of Adam. But the good news? Creation will be redeemed as well. So very cool.

* A point to ponder. The unshakeable conviction that even the irreligious feel that “Despite vestiges of beauty and joy, something on this earth is terribly wrong.”

* I’m fascinated and delighted over the idea that our service for Christ in this life will also be resurrected, that it might indeed become part of the kingdom’s imperishable character. What a motivation for abiding in Christ moment by moment now!

* I’m also deeply interested in the “redemptive continuity” when it comes to a person’s unfulfilled dreams and talents, the culture of mankind, the beauty and truth of certain works of art, and more. Wow.

* Since the first time I read the book, I’ve been working on Chapter 13’s exhortation to reform my vocabulary (concerning heaven, the New Earth, the life to come, etc) to more accurately fit the biblical information concerning the resurrection.

* Finally, a heads up to my friends who are also reading HEAVEN right now. This week is really busy for us. I must read two other books for discussion evenings, do five “When Swing Was King” shows, do two speaking engagements, pray and witness at the Planned Parenthood abortion business tomorrow, keep up my walking regimen, and several other tasks…all before cleaning the house and packing for two weeks down in Branson, Missouri. So, I'm afraid I won’t be reading the next sections and posting my notes on Vital Signs Blog until next week. But I’m still hoping to see more of your notes!

Moving Through Heaven #4: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

“We are homesick for Eden. We're nostalgic for what is implanted in our hearts. It's built into us.” (Randy Alcorn, Heaven, Chapter 8)

I couldn't agree more. Lewis and Chesterton also speak of this often. I've often pointed out how our legends and fairy tales utilize this very human yearning for paradise (and they lived happily ever after.)

But it’s not just an earthly utopia we most deeply long for, but something sublime and spiritual, something that answers our soul's yearning for serenity and significance that is beyond anything we’ve known. At least, that we haven’t known yet. Some of the most plaintive of our popular songs express this: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” or “There's A Place for Us,” “Moon River,” “Age of Aquarius,” “Theme from a Summer Place,” “Bali Hai.”

Oh yes. Man, created in the image of God, is wired for paradise. His heart naturally yearns for the righteousness, wholeness, and security of heaven.

Moving Through Heaven #3: "God is the Ultimate Salvage Artist"

Background — I have invited a few friends from across the country to join me (and each other) in reading Randy Alcorn’s masterful study, HEAVEN, and then engaging in some dialogue about what we’re reading and thinking about it. Even though I've re-read the book a few times, I'm again taking notes and praying through key points...and there are a gang of those! Here are a few observations I'll share after reading Sections 2 and 3 of the book.

* A Bible study on heaven naturally corresponds to its teaching about rewards for the Christian in the life to come. We do not work our way into heaven. That comes only from believing in the finished work of Christ's death as the payment for one's sins. He is our substitute. The spotless Lamb of God died for us, thereby opening the way of forgiveness and redemption to all who trust in Him. However, once we are saved through faith in His wonderful gift, our obedience to His Word results in rewards (gifts) besides the entrance into heaven itself. Wow. How awesome is the mercy of God.

* Randy's discussion of Christoplatonism is very important. How damaging the effects have been when certain religious leaders and groups have insisted that whatever is physical is inferior, even debased. These folks end up exchanging biblical teaching for a sappy, sentimental, and self-oriented spirituality.

* Tozer's quote in Chapter 6. "We do well to think of the long tomorrow" has provided my prayers with a new and now oft-used phrase.

* Chapter 7's notations of things we see in Scripture from persons living in the intermediate heaven are encouraging: memory, verbal expression, consciousness and rationality, knowledge of things happening on earth, prayers, understanding of time, family connections remaining important, etc.

* Chapter 8's chart (on pages 82-85) are really nifty. I'm copying it, squeezing it down to fit on 3 by 5 cards, and using it as "meditation stuff" on my prayer walks.

* Randy's emphasis on the redemption of all creation is spot on. And terribly exciting.

* Other wonderful items from this section? Paligenesis...Isaiah 60 as the best biblical commentary on Revelation 21 and 22... A.A. Hodge's quote on pages 97 and 98...the talk of thrones...the paradox of "already and not yet"...and those thrilling lines of "Joy to the World" -- "He comes to make His blessings known far as the curse is found." Wow!

Moving Through Heaven: Anticipations

A couple of weeks ago I invited 21 of my friends from across the country to join me (and each other) in more purposeful dialogue, accountability, and intellectual stimulation.  That project is reading (or re-reading) Randy Alcorn’s monumental book, Heaven.  We’re taking it one section a week (25-40 pages or so) with a view to finishing the book by Christmas.  As part of the conversation, I’m occasionally posting observations and prayer items here on the blog like the one I print below.  Those friends involved in the partnership can respond to my notes and/or write up their own via email, phone, and posts on their own blog or a Facebook page. (Maybe you’d like to join us?)

Here’s one of the most moving of those responses. It comes from Jim Bingham.

I've thought long and hard about my level of anticipation of heaven since reading this first section. 

Some of the things I look forward to in the New Heaven and New Earth are: Never running out of time to finish a project. Endless discoveries of the endless never-diminishing delights He sets before us, because in His right hand there are pleasures forevermore. I look forward to being free from all stress, regret, anxiety and fear. 

But those aren't my highest motivators when I think about heaven. My motivators are the pure levels of fellowship to be shared there eternally with Christ and with Christ-like brothers and sisters. No mixed motives. No mixed messages. No tentative or uncomfortable relationships. A universal shared joy at the presence of Jesus Christ. 

We have a taste of that now in our fellowship in the church. We rejoice in the giftedness of our pastors and teachers. I think of the pure delight I feel when I hear Denny Hartford or Dan Hauge express brilliantly something I feel and don't quite know how to say, or they represent the mind of Christ via an explanation of His Word and burdens lift and I feel gratitude and comfort, or the healing of blessed correction or the balm of much-needed soul relief. I don't know how to give it back to them. I love them for it. It makes me wonder what it will be to hear the Master Himself speak to me with all grace and a perfect knowledge of me. 

I rejoice at thoughts of my loved ones enraptured with the love of Christ and fully equipped to express it back to Him. We'll rejoice in the freedom of being able to openly and unashamedly display our love and joy.

If I were to take a long journey on the New Earth to see marvelous sights, I would want Him with me. I'll be able to do just that without waiting for a gap in His schedule, because the Word says He's infinite and omnipresent. It's the ultimate perfection of creation to be in the presence of the Creator and enjoy Him. 

I fully expect spontaneous rather than scheduled convocations of worship, song, and laughter, and leaping.

I fully expect the anticipation of discovering why he calls us together, and finding it far better than the anticipation of any delights we've enjoyed on earth. I fully expect to always be more excited by the Giver than the gifts.

I fully expect a deep sense of fulfillment at performing my tasks and seeing His pleasure at it. 

I'm surrounded by earthly illustrations of these things. I see delight in the eyes of my grandchildren when I make up a story for them. And it makes me profoundly happy. Like heaven: innocence, love, and joy at being together.

I see new joy in the little pup we rescued from neglect and mistreatment. She thrills to be where I am and revels in my attention and shivers with delight when I appear. I am just like my little pup. I was lost, alone, injured, and my Rescuer came for me and set my feet in a broad place and enlarged the borders of my tent and called me friend. My heart is full. And He promises me more in Heaven. Endlessly. On the journey toward Heaven He whispers gently to me: “I have called you by name. I have chosen you. I will not leave you comfortless. Learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your soul. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have so much to show you.” These whispers and the loving relationship that expresses them are the joys of the New Heaven and New Earth I most look forward to.

I'm convinced that a failure of excitement at the thought of Heaven has roots in a failure to see what Christ has done for us already, and how great the love He's shown us really is. 

Ephesians 1 - “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ according as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of his will.”

The Planned Parenthood Videos: A Quick Summation

On July 14, the Center for Medical Progress began releasing a series of videos about the Planned Parenthood abortion clinics. Reporting for the video project was done undercover and took place over the course of several years. The videos feature executives and staffers at Planned Parenthood and affiliated businesses discussing and demonstrating human organ harvesting and the fetal body part trade. Some of the discussions and footage taken inside abortion clinics is quite graphic.

The journalism project immediately went viral, with millions of people watching the videos. But the media have largely struggled to even mention the videos and what they show. When presidential candidate Carly Fiorina mentioned the videos during the 2nd GOP presidential debate, the media claimed to have no idea what she was talking about. The weak media coverage has left many Americans in the dark about the content of the videos. And sloppy reporting has led to misinformation about the videos.

Here’s a quick and easy guide to the 10 videos that have been released thus far and what they show.

1) Planned Parenthood Uses Partial-Birth Abortions to Sell Baby Parts...
2) Second Planned Parenthood Senior Executive Haggles Over Baby Parts Prices, Changes Abortion Methods...
3) Human Capital – Episode 1: Planned Parenthood’s Black Market in Baby Parts...
4) Planned Parenthood VP Says Fetuses May Come Out Intact, Agrees Payments Specific to the Specimen...
5) Intact Fetuses “Just a Matter of Line Items” for Planned Parenthood TX Mega-Center...
6) Human Capital – Episode 2: Inside the Planned Parenthood Supply Site...
7) Human Capital – Episode 3: Planned Parenthood’s Custom Abortions for Superior Product...
8) Planned Parenthood Baby Parts Buyer StemExpress Wants “Another 50 Livers/Week”...
9) Planned Parenthood Baby Parts Vendor ABR Pays Off Clinics, Intact Fetuses “Just Fell Out”...
10) Top Planned Parenthood Exec: Baby Parts Sales “A Valid Exchange,” Can Make “A Fair Amount of Income”...

Read the entire text and see the relevant video evidence of Mollie Hemingway’s article, “A Quick And Easy Guide To The Planned Parenthood Videos” published by the Federalist right here.

Moving Through Heaven (Section One, That Is)

(Last week I invited 21 of my friends from across the country to join me (and each other) in more purposeful dialogue, accountability, and intellectual stimulation.  Several of them have taken me up on the offer, including our first project.  That project is reading (or re-reading) Randy Alcorn’s monumental book, Heaven.  We’re taking it one section a week (25-40 pages or so) with a view to finishing the book by Christmas.  As part of the conversation, I’m occasionally posting observations and prayer items here on the blog like the one I print below.  Those friends involved in the partnership can respond to my notes and/or write up their own via email, phone, and posts on their own blog or a Facebook page. Maybe you’d like to join us?)

Okay, guys. Out of the 21 that I invited to be a part of this project, almost half have accepted. That’s terrific. May God use our reading of Heaven to encourage us, improve our serve, and increase our present joy as we live more heavenly-minded.

A few observations on re-reading the first section (Chapters 1-4) of Heaven by Randy Alcorn:

* John 14:3 emphasizes that being heavenly-minded is a crucial antidote to fear. Therefore, thinking of heaven as God’s secure gift to us steels our heart against such fearsome things as poverty, persecution, the rigors of illness and age, alienation, crushing disappointment, undeserved slander, etc.  Thinking of (and yearning for) heaven puts everything in correct perspective.  I find this of tremendous comfort and help.

* “God never gives up on His original plan for human beings to dwell on earth.”

* Alcorn’s review of how little attention theologians have paid to the Bible’s teaching is really something.  Our spiritual forefathers have given us much treasure…but they really messed us up with this critical oversight.

* The ignorance and apathy that so many Christians display towards heaven are among Satan’s most dastardly accomplishments.

* Heaven is not beyond our imagination!  That’s a wonderful truth, one that will steady us in hard times as we think, pray, praise, and witness.  Writes Alcorn in Chapter 2, “Rather than ignore our imagination, I believe we should fuel it with Scripture, allowing it to step through the doors that Scripture opens.”

* From page 20.  “Set your hearts” in Colossians 3:1 is zeteo and it’s in the present tense.  “It is a diligent, action, single-minded investigation.”

* Fidelity to God’s Word requires an acceptance of the awful reality of Hell.

* D.L. Moody’s quotes at the beginning of Chapter 4 are priceless.  So too are other quotes that Alcorn cites in the introduction and section one – quotes by Lewis, Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, McGrath, Eliot, etc.

* Guys, this week the prayer I’ve been lifting up to the Lord on my behalf and yours was simply that we would all be heavenly-minded warriors for our King, that earthly priorities and attitudes in our lives would be influenced more and more by heaven’s sharp reality.

For this next week, my prayer is a) that heaven will become an ever-escalating delight and comfort in our present circumstances, b) that God gives us opportunities to share with others what we’re learning about Heaven, and c) that we will wisely invest our time and talents in heavenly pursuits.

A Conversation About Government Schools

The first paragraph below is the transcript from one of my 60-second radio commentaries that airs each weekday at 7:59 AM on KLCV out of Lincoln and Omaha.  It deals with present crises that plague the government schools. The commentary, however, was not appreciated by at least one fellow who works for the system. I thought it constructive to post below the correspondence that emerged, both to clarify some of the priority issues involved and to serve as an example that dialogue even among dissenting parties can be enlightening and constructive for all concerned.

The radio commentary: A record 1.7 million graduating seniors took the SAT tests last year.  But their scores were absolutely abysmal. The math scores, for instance, were the worst in more than four decades.  And that’s with 3.2 trillion dollars tossed in the system by local, state, and federal money.  Let’s face it…public schooling has become a genuine disaster. 

Consider what the government schools are producing.  Historical revisionism. Extremes of liberalism’s political correctness.  Sex “education” provided by the likes of Planned Parenthood.  Bullying and the worst peer pressure one will ever experience.  A trashing of Western civilization’s ideals.  And, on top of all of this, a spiraling cascade of academic failure which makes kids dumber by the day.  Oh, my. The government schools – your tax dollars at work. 

The following email note came later in the day from a fellow I’ll refer to as John Doe — “I heard your statements about public schools this morning on Bott Radio while I was driving to work.  I am a Christian, and I work as a special education teacher in a public school.  I found your statements, and the article I found on your website to be very discouraging.  When I shared your statements with my Christian co-workers they were also discouraged.  I know that there are flaws in the public school system, but blanket statements such as the ones you have been making are harmful and hurtful.

Many of the teachers and administrators that I work with are Jesus loving Christians.  For many of the students at my school, Christian teachers are the only exposures to the love of Christ that these children will have.  I see so many teachers loving the unlovable, and giving of themselves in many ways.  I personally have had, and taken several opportunities, to speak openly to my students about my relationship with Christ, and to encourage them in their walk with Christ.  Christ spent his time with sinners ministering to them.  Your call for a mass exodus of Christians from public schools, and statements like 'Better get your children out now before it's too late,' are the opposite of what we need.  We are called to be the salt and the light of the world.  You are right, we could pull all of our Christian students out of public schools and send them to private Christian Schools, but Christ said in Matthew 5:15 'Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.'  Christians need be in society sharing Christ and His love, not withdrawing from it.  Just as you ask people to pray for your ministry, please ask people to be praying for the Christians in public school.  Please work to build up your brothers and sisters in Christ who see the public school system as a mission field.”

In Christ, John Doe

I then responded.

Dear John Doe, thanks for your note. And while I appreciate some of your points (especially the role that Christian teachers and staff can have in the government schools which, by the way, I never opposed in today's commentary), I found some things perplexing. For instance, the things I mentioned today...do you really consider them mere "flaws"? And "blanket statements" that I made? My basic point was that those things which I listed are personally and culturally harmful and yet they are are being paid for by taxpayers. Would you not appreciate more citizens being involved in making education less expensive, more efficient, more responsive to parental involvement, more socially constructive? I sure hope so.

Perhaps the 'blanket statements' that you found so bothersome came from a Cal Thomas article I posted on my blog quite awhile ago. I'm not sure. If so, go ahead and criticize me for posting his column, but please don't attribute a Thomas quote to me. 

And I'm still scratching my head over your complaints about my comments in this morning's radio spot.

Regarding my opinion of encouraging Christian teachers in the public schools, perhaps you'd like to read this one-act drama which I wrote many years ago and which is still on our website. I hope it will give you a fuller understanding of my position.  Also, it may help you to know that my wife taught in a public high school for 10 years. So I know where you're coming from...except for the feeling that any criticism of government schooling is somehow out of line.

So, John Doe, please remember that when you pass things along to others (in this case, the things that your colleagues found ‘harmful and hurtful’), make sure you're quoting the right person and the right statements. That's only fair.

Again, thanks for your note. And thanks for your dedication to be salt and light in your profession.

Denny

John Doe responded,  “Denny, Thank you for responding to my email.  I wholeheartedly agree that there are issues that need to be fixed with our government schools, and our society as a whole. I also apologize for attributing the Cal Thomas quote to you.  When I discussed the segment this morning with my colleges I did not mention the Cal Thomas quote to them, and out of respect for you and your ministry I did not share your name or the name of you ministry with them.  (It looks like you do some very good things to help build the kingdom.)

Perhaps the part that I felt most hurtful in the segment was around the 45 second mark ‘a spiraling cascade of academic failure which makes kids dumber by the day’  My request, or suggestion is simply instead of making comments such as these; that you would invite people to pray for our schools and our teachers, or to get involved as a community to make a change for Christ in our schools.

Thank you, John Doe

Here’s my followup note.

I think we're moving a bit closer, John Doe. Thanks for your honest responses.

I'm afraid, however, I must let my comment about the academic failure ('dumber by the day') stand. After all, the radio spot this morning was prompted by the latest SAT scores which show truly disheartening results. When combined with such other indicators as reading and math levels, grade inflation, academic comparisons with previous generations, the ever-increasing need for remedial classes at universities, and failing levels in other standardized tests, the sad result is that kids are, well...dumber by the day.

Now, John Doe, I don't lay all of this on the government schools. Indeed, anyone familiar with my ministry will know I am profoundly concerned with cultural devolution on all fronts: sanctity of life, marriage, religious freedom, family breakdown, government intrusion, the growing sense of self-sovereignty and entitlement in the West, postmodernism, and so on. Nevertheless, whatever forces are involved, the problem of poorer and poorer academic performance IS undeniable.

So why should that statement hurt you? Being disappointed and frustrated by the statement? Sure, I can see that. I experienced plenty of that when I had to fail students in American History 101 when I was a graduate teaching assistant at UNO. But hurt as in offended? No. The question is -- are you doing your best with what you're given? Then, great. Keep praying and plugging along. Do what you can do. That's all any of us can do in trying to be lights in this wild, wicked, and wacky world.

So, John Doe, your request that I not make such a ‘hurtful’ statement but instead pray for teachers and staff (which I encourage with others as well as personally perform) and urge community involvement (like See You at the Pole and churches engaging in adopt-a-school programs which, again, I've wholeheartedly supported), misses the point. That is, one doesn't negate the other. One can make an honest assessment (and description) of the crisis AND yet support Christian adults who pursue education careers AND yet urge positive reform actions regarding the public schools AND yet urge families to consider private school options. Speaking or acting on one front doesn't mean denying the validity of the others.

Does this help? Not in the sense that you must agree with me. Of course not. I'm merely trying to put in proper context both my statements this morning and yours in these email notes. Knocking it around as we have might help us to better understand those with other perspectives and then to better communicate our priority positions. So, again, thank you for your willingness to correspond about these things. I appreciate it.

Maybe someday we can have a cup of coffee and explore these matters a bit more.

Denny

I haven’t heard back from John Doe since then.

A Profitable Game…for Couples

The matching game we have used with couples over many years has been a grand success. It has generated profitable discussion among couples and their friends. It has served to develop better understanding and appreciation. And it has been a lot of fun.

Why don’t you consider utilizing the questions we have created to use for an evening party, conversation starters with friends, or even as an exercise with you and your spouse. Here is a sample set of questions. For more, just contact us.

Couples’ Game 2015 (A sample)

Questions for wives

1. Who was the more romantic during your courtship?

2. If you received $100 that was an unexpected gift, what would you use it for?

3. What was your husband’s favorite subject in high school?

4. If your husband had the choice of any occupation which would he choose?

5. What was the single most important factor which initially attracted you to your husband?

6. What is the complement which your husband most appreciates?

7. If your husband was suddenly announced as his party’s choice for the Presidency of the U.S., who would he choose for his running mate?

8. What was your favorite musical group in high school?

9. When your husband was a little boy (i.e. elementary school age), what was his answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Questions for Husbands

1.  When your wife is dressing for an evening out, which does she put on first – her dress or her makeup?

2. Who had the strictest upbringing?

3. What will your wife say was your most impressive accomplishment before you were married?

4. If your wife won a two-week, all-expense paid trip to any city in the world, where would she want to go?

5. What is your mother-in-law’s maiden name?

6. You have just climbed into bed at the same time as your wife when you both realized the kitchen light is still on.  Who gets up to turn it off?

7. Assuming an objective panel of observers could be found to examine both your and your wife’s driving habits, who would they select as the best driver?

8. Rabbits!  Would you rather A) hunt them?  B) study them?  C) ignore them?
9. You’ve invited someone special home for dinner.  What is your wife most likely to serve for the main dish?

I'm In Heaven...Again

Last night I sent out a letter to 21 of my closest friends, including several who no longer live in the area but with whom I want very much to stay connected. I thought I would post a version of that note here on the blog in hopes that it would stimulate you to do something similar with your friends...or perhaps to even join in this project with us. Here's the note:

Hey, guys,

I’m going to be spending some time in Heaven this autumn – Randy Alcorn’s incomparable book, that is.  I’ve read it a few times before and even taught a couple of classes on it but I figured it was time to go back and refresh my heavenly-mindedness with one of the most delightful, exciting, and influential books I’ve ever read.

Any of you interested in joining me?

I’m going to read, ponder, and use in my intercession one section of the book every week.  Each section is usually 20-30 pages long so that should take me just about to the new year.  But the reason I’m letting a few of my friends in on the project is because I’d love to have you participate.  Maybe you’re too busy with other tasks, other books.  That’s cool.  But  if you’d like to take the challenge, I’d encourage you to not only start reading Heaven but perhaps join in the conversation.  For the three of you who I meet weekly or the others here in the Omaha area I see often, that’s easy enough.  But  those of you far away could use email, phone calls, or the comment section in Facebook when I repost an item about Heaven from Vital Signs Blog that I’ll put there.

I’m making this invitation because I’ve decided not to wait till heaven to develop further some of the best friendships I’ve had in my life with some of the most terrific Christian men.  So…anybody in? 

P.S.  In my prayers for each of you these next couple of weeks, I’m going to use a C.S. Lewis quotation from Mere Christianity that Alcorn cites in Chapter 2 of Heaven:  “If you read history, you will find that Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in: aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Denny

Each Person's Inherent Worth

Tom Sharman, a good friend and the owner of Tesco Studios where a lot of great music has been produced over the years -- and many years of Vital Signs radio programs too -- wrote an excellent piece and submitted it the Omaha World Herald's Public Pulse. They haven't printed it yet and so I asked Tom if I could. Here it is:

"Last Thursday the Omaha World Herald ran three articles spanning the first several pages, all of which dealt with life and death - Nebraska's signature collection concerning the death penalty, the funeral of Ty and Terri Schenzel, and the sentencing of James Holmes.  In the case of Ty and Terri we saw the outpouring of love, sorrow, gratitude and praise for lives well lived in service for others.  By contrast James received a resounding rebuke from the Colorado judge and then jeers and railing from some in the courtroom audience.

The appreciation for the former and condemnation both from the judge and jury of the latter were earned and rightfully given.  But if we had the opportunity to ask the Schenzels if they were inherently better or more valuable people than Mr. Holmes, what would their response would be?  Although our natural thinking would be 'of course, the Schenezels are without doubt the worthy ones', I don't believe that would be their answer.

The reason is that Ty and Terri knew where the true basis of worth comes from - not from what we do (as wonderful or awful as that may be) or by any other standard we exalt, but rather from seeing ourselves and others just as God sees us - each a person created in His image.  This perspective does not all minimize the countless persons touched by the Hope Center or by the actions of James and those involved with the death penalty outcome.  And yes, we can easily see that this image is more outwardly tarnished in some cases than in others, but none of us will ever represent it as designed.  No, if Ty and Terri would have met James face to face, they would have valued and treated him like everyone else would attest who knew them."

Aping Culture vs Changing It

American Christians, sad to say, are in fact aping culture more than they are changing it. Thus the exhortations of Scripture, Romans 12:1 and 2, for instance, are more timely and critical than ever. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The Christian who thinks that he must be like culture in order to positively influence culture is sadly ignorant of history, the true substance of conversion, and the clear teaching of the Bible.

Are you aping culture, or are you seeking through prayer, discernment, and a counter-culture lifestyle to change it? That’s the question for today.

(And that’s also today’s 60-second radio spot from KLCV, 88.5 AM)

"When Swing Was King" Is Keeping Alive the Spirit of '45

Claire and I have created a special volume of "When Swing Was King" for this month, one commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

In doing so, we are emphasizing our deep appreciation to the men and women who went into harm's way during the war...and to all of the men, women, and children here at home who sacrificed, supported, prayed, suffered loss, and worked so diligently to help the Allied cause be victorious.

We're calling the program Keeping Alive the Spirit of '45 as we seek to remind the seniors in the facilities we visit every month how much we admire the unity, courage, and resolve their generation demonstrated in fighting for liberty, justice, and the democratic rule of law.

The songs in the program all come from the war years and, not surprisingly, they include some of the most poignant, sublime music America ever produced. The photos accompanying the songs also reflect the critical times of 1942-1945.

If you, your family, your home school group, and so on have never caught a "When Swing Was King" presentation...boy, would this be a perfect time to finally do so. The schedule is right here.

And the Keeping Alive the Spirit of '45 song list?

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra — “American Patrol”
2) Dinah Shore — “I’ll Walk Alone”
3) The Ink Spots — “This Is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening”
4) Bing Crosby — “I’ll Be Seeing You”
5) The Mills Brothers — “Till Then”
6) Vaughn Monroe Orchestra — “When the Lights Go On Again”
7) Vera Lynn — “The White Cliffs of Dover”
8) Perry Como — “Long Ago and Far Away”
9) Harry James Orchestra (Vocals by Helen Forrest) — “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You”
10) Benny Goodman Orchestra — “Jersey Bounce”
11) Bob Crosby Orchestra (Vocals by Dave Street) — “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen”
12) The Andrews Sisters — “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”

Faux Celebrity Katie Hopkins Calls for "Euthanasia Vans"

Katie Hopkins, a British television “personality” whose fame comes from appearing on reality TV shows, recently opined that society needs to get cracking on killing off senior citizens.

I’m not kidding.

Hopkins told the Radio Times, “We just have far too many old people….It's ridiculous to be living in a country where we can put dogs to sleep but not people.”

Her solution? “Easy. Euthanasia vans - just like ice-cream vans that would come to your home. It would all be perfectly charming. They might even have a nice little tune they'd play. I mean this genuinely. I'm super-keen on euthanasia vans.”

Sigh.

The world just got a little bit more chilling.

"Planned Parenthood Is In Trouble"

John Hinderaker of Power Line writes…

Planned Parenthood is in trouble. While Democratic politicians continue to stand behind the organization, corporate sponsors reportedly are dropping by the wayside. Planned Parenthood has tried to go on the attack, claiming that the first two videos were “deceptively edited”–an absurd assertion, given that the raw footage was released in its entirety at the same time as the shorter, edited highlights versions–and falsely claiming that the people involved in the Center for Medical Progress have “been behind the bombing of clinics, the murder of doctors in their homes, and in their churches.” Someone call the U.S. Attorney!

What makes Planned Parenthood’s position so difficult is that it has never really been a secret that the organization sells babies’ organs. What Planned Parenthood wants to say (and does say, although with a certain lack of conviction) is that selling babies’ organs is a great thing because they are used in scientific research. The problem is that no one who watches the videos has that reaction. The sale of body parts is obviously a dirty business–that’s what you will think if you watch the videos, anyway–and it’s hard not to feel that abortion is a dirty business too.

Press reaction to video number three has been muted. The New York Times, for example, doesn’t appear to have mentioned it. Most “mainstream” outlets wish the whole thing would go away, and are focusing their coverage on side issues, like Republicans’ efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. The less said about the actual content of the videos the better, for obvious reasons.

But press reaction is also probably cautious because everyone knows there are more videos where these came from. At this point, no one knows what those videos will show or how much worse the situation could get for Planned Parenthood. So for now, liberal news organizations are trying to keep their heads down and pretend that the news story is all about politics.

Okay, Just How Does Planned Parenthood Do Its Thing?

The Decline in Reading

Studies show that Americans, including American Christians, are reading considerably less than the last few generations. It’s just one more illustration of how we’re becoming dumber, lazier, more superficial, less discerning, and more easily led.

Of course, beginning to read books again isn’t the solution to all our messes.  But it can be an important part of our defense against the ever-encroaching, post-modern culture. That’s why I’m reading more than ever, why I started a book club that is now in its 24th year, why Vital Signs hosts book discussions, and why I organize book reading in my church. Oh yeah, if Americans put down the computer games, videos, and smart phones – and more frequently picked up a book? That would be step in the right direction.

Interested in more about reading, in book clubs, in effecting the culture? Step over to TheBook Den, Vital Signs blog dedicated to literature.

(The above post is the transcript of today's Vital Signs commentary broadcast at 7:59 on KLCV, 88.5 FM, Lincoln and Omaha)

Is Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Parts? Go to the Video Tape.

A shocking new expose’ video has caught Planned Parenthood’s top doctor describing how the abortion business sells the body parts of aborted babies.

New undercover footage shows Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Senior Director of Medical Services, Dr. Deborah Nucatola, describing how Planned Parenthood sells the body parts of aborted unborn children and admitting she uses partial-birth abortions to supply intact body parts...

That video is right below and the rest of Steven Ertelt's LifeNews story is right here.

Reasons for a Public Pro-life Witness

Why do I continue to give a public witness to the sanctity of life outside abortion businesses?  Well, in an article available on the Vital Signs Ministries website, I describe five reasons. And number five in that list is this: a pro-life witness outside an abortion business insures that men and women – even those who ultimately decide to commit the abortion – will forever remember that someone was there to plead with them, “no, don’t do this.” 

They will retain in the memory of their abortion experience that someone was standing up for their child…and for the mother’s spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. That provides a tremendous incentive for repentance, a motivation to seek forgiveness and healing from the God Who delivered His Son to die for all of mankind’s sins.

To check out the four other reasons, please zip on over to the website of Vital Signs Ministries.

(The above post is the transcript of today's Vital Signs commentary broadcast at 7:59 on KLCV, 88.5 FM, Lincoln and Omaha)