Light-work

Peace or Fire on Earth

When Jesus was born, the angel chorus sang, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” So it is a little surprising to hear Jesus say something that sounds quite different: “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division” (Luke 12:49-53).

In the latter passage, Jesus is declaring that He will someday bring judgment on the earth and that it can't happen soon enough. Before that fire falls, however, Jesus Himself must be immersed in God's judgment. Peace will not flow from this baptism, but "division;" Even the most basic of family connections will be upset with fathers taking sides against sons and daughters taking sides against mothers. Their disagreement has to do with fire and peace.

It is not politically correct to say it, but the world stands under the shadow of God's wrath (Col. 3:6). Fire will fall! Here is some good news -- There is an escape plan! The Apostle Paul explained it to the Thessalonian church: For they themselves report . . . how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:9-10). When Jesus returns, He will save His own from the falling fire.

How can He do this? Remember that baptism Jesus underwent! When He died on the cross, He experienced the wrath of God as a substitute for men. The fire of judgment fell on Him so that it need not fall on us! He offers this supreme service as a gift for any who want it. Receive this gift and enjoy true peace. Or refuse it and fire will fall.

This notion of "targeted peace" aligns perfectly with what the angels promised: “And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Those with whom God is pleased will enjoy peace. Those who reject His Son and refuse the supremely costly gift for which He paid, will not.

When "Peace on Earth" is assumed to be a privilege enjoyed by all men simply because "it's Christmas," the very purpose for which Jesus came to earth is trivialized, men are dulled to the fact that the place is about to go up in flames, and the profound value of what Jesus accomplished is diminished.

The angel chorus understood it perfectly. A myriad of them came near Bethlehem to celebrate the first phase of a grand undertaking, a peace initiative that would make it possible for some to avoid the fire that would otherwise consume all. This is definitely something worth singing about!

Church Growth By Intimidation

This was not your usual revival meeting. One man came forward to make an impressive contribution from a real estate deal. Instead of the adulation he envisioned, this man received a thundering rebuke and died on the spot. The guys with the stretcher hardly had time to get his body to the morgue before the man’s wife showed up. She betrayed her complicity in her husband’s scam and promptly joined him in death.

Needless to say, everyone in town was a little rattled! Whispers were heard on the street: “Don’t get too close to those Christian unless you want to put your life on the line.” The whispers were not without warrant. The basic problem with this late couple was an attempt to represent themselves as something they were not. They wanted to LOOK LIKE the real deal without BEING the real deal. Perhaps they actually deluded themselves into thinking they were the real deal. But, God was not fooled by this sham and made His point with double corpses as exclamation points.

Here is Luke’s summary of the reputation of the early church after the “double death revival” meeting:  “But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem” (Acts 5:13). The average Joe of Jerusalem respected the saints and appreciated their commitment. But he also had enough sense to realize that an insincere association with these folks could prove fatal.

So here is what I find fascinating. Some would say that church growth requires us to present ourselves to the average Joe as unthreatening and undemanding. We should demurely declare, “Hey, come hang with us. We are benign enough to be safe and unintimidating. You’ll feel perfectly at ease.”

But look at Acts 5:14!  When the church was respected but intimidating, that's when growth kicked into high gear!  Luke reports, “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number” (Acts 5:14).  The word “and” at the beginning of the verse tells us that when the church was frighteningly  real, that is when its growth went into overdrive! 

Suppose someone comes among us and says, “I respect your devotion and dedication, but I’m not ready to make this kind of commitment.”  Don’t interpret that comment as a call for us to become less committed or to hide our devotion to Jesus under a bushel basket.  It’s an affirmation we are following the lead of one of the fastest growing churches in history.  We may be scary to an average Joe when we are the real deal, but that is also when he sees that in Jesus you don’t have to live a life that’s just average.

Dead Guru Thinks Jesus "Gets" Hinduism

Evangelical Christians are considered the purveyors of a Politically Incorrect Gospel (PIG). This Gospel views John 14:6 as a clear claim by Jesus to be the exclusive way of salvation. Considerable pressure has been applied on those viewed as PIG mongers to repent of their intolerant ways and embrace an inclusivism that celebrates, "All religions merely represent different paths to the same place."

Rabi R. Maharaj was born the son of a great Yogi. He sought to follow his father in the pursuit of enlightenment. Despite being a promising young guru, his search for truth and disillusionment with Hinduism provoked an intense inner struggle. The struggle ended when he renounced his religious heritage and embraced Jesus Christ. Rabi Maharaj, the guru, died in that moment. His amazing story is chronicled in the autobiography, "Death of a Guru." It should be required reading for anyone planning a trip to India.

Chapter seventeen recounts the reaction of Rabi's mother to her son's decision. A poignant paragraph therein speaks to the PIG issue:

Philosophically it seems right to many people to claim that Hinduism accepts all religions and that everyone is going to the same place but by different roads. Those who plead for mutual tolerance and the syncretism of all religions fail to realize that there are grave differences which affect one's life. Such basic realities cannot be dismissed by ecumenical agreements. Mother was committed to the Hindu philosophy that there is only one Reality - Brahman - and that the law of karma demands future payment for past sins. The rest of us [Rabi and other family members who came to Christ] were convinced that good and evil and different, and that the Creator is not the same as his creation. We had come to know the forgiveness that Jesus brings, and we no longer believed in reincarnation. Between these opposite beliefs there was no possible meeting ground, no compromise without denying all meaning to language and ideas.[Emphasis mine]

Here is a former guru declaring that both Hinduism and Jesus teach what "tolerant man" refuses to admit: One must choose between Jesus and Hinduism - they cannot both be right.

Why Get Stressed If Hell Has a Thermostat?

In yesterday's post, we noted that Hell can be understood as a realm of existence wholly apart from God. This observation is grounded in 2 Thessalonians 1:9: "These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (NASB). This description of a decidedly negative after-life experience should be associated with a range of other terms and expressions. Here is a NT sampler:

1. Gehenna: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
2. Hades: “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades” (Luke 10:15)!
3. Outer darkness: "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).
4. Eternal Fire: “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels'”(Matthew 25:41).
5. Lake of fire and second death: “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”(Revelation 21:8).

While it is possible that "Hades" may, in a context like Luke 10:15, simply be a synonym for "death," the other terms are unmistakably descriptive of "life AFTER death" for those with abysmal prospects. Taken together, the composite picture these descriptions present is beyond sobering. When a man prefers life wholly apart from God, he is choosing to exist in a place completely devoid of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self restraint. Here is a realm shrouded in utter darkness. Despite some men's boasts, they will not be with their friends, because friendship will cease to exist. A man will live without purpose and without rest since these only come from God. Every good thing comes from God so there will be NO GOOD THING in a place that has cast off all associations with Him.

True enough, hell may have a thermostat. In Matthew 11:24, Jesus declares, “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you [Capernaum].” But this suggestion that some parts of hell may be worse than others must not diminish our apprehension that every level of hell will be pure hell!

As Paul considers the lostness of his countrymen, he confesses great sorrow and unceasing anguish of heart (Romans 9:2). God feels the same way, declaring, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Jesus weeps as He crests the eastern ascent of the Mount of Olives and considers the city of Jerusalem, bathed in morning light but slipping into darkness: "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not" (Matt. 23:38)!  

It can be beneficial to stare into the flames. Get a good look at what a life wholly apart from God looks like. Allow the view to sober you, to unsettle you, perhaps even to disturb you. Then speak up about what you see to anyone who is deluded enough to find life without God attractive.

For Christians Pleading the Fifth

It was quite entertaining a few days ago to watch the White House Party Crashers "plead the fifth" (a lot!) during their testimony before the House. I have been tempted to do likewise when a critic suggests, "So, you think I'm going to hell if I don't believe in Jesus, right?" For Christians who take John 14:6 seriously, answering such a question seems a choice between betraying Jesus and incriminating oneself as a bigot. Reminds me of the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" There's no good answer. Or is there?

The critic's inquiry uses some terms that need to be defined: What is meant by "hell?" And, what does "believe in Jesus" mean? Is believing in Jesus a binary condition, you either do or you don't? Or is it a variable that must pass a certain threshold before it "saves?" Both thieves believed that Jesus was a real person and that he was crucified, but only one thief was promised entrance into Paradise. In their case, only one had a faith that rose to the level of saving faith. So when someone wants me to respond to his accusation, "You think I'm going to hell because I don't believe in Jesus," it's perfectly appropriate to ask, "What do you mean by 'hell' and 'believe in Jesus'?"

Note that the critic has not asked a simple question. He is asking me to affirm a logical construct. Here is the critic's logic: "A" - I do not believe in Jesus; "B" - I am going to Hell; and "A" is the cause of "B." In which case, it is entirely reasonable for me to remind my critic that I must examine all three elements in order to affirm what "I think" is true.

I would start with the first one by posing, "What do you believe (and not believe) about Jesus, and why? Have you always believed this or is this something you have recently come to?"

Isn't this nifty! You can use the critic's cold water question to open a lively discussion. If the critic gets all cranky and says, "Just answer my question," you can respond, "That's exactly what I'm trying to do, beginning with statement A!"

There is more, something implicit, in the critic's question. His inquiry has been phrased in a way that rings of threat language. God is depicted as the petulant despot who dispatches any detractor, who consigns good folks to a cosmic dungeon for daring to entertain an independent thought. If this is what the critic contends by His question, then the only right response is, "I couldn't disagree with you more!"

I understand "hell" to describe a realm of existence in which everything associated with God has been extracted. I also believe that Jesus gives men what they choose, even when what they want is a life wholly apart from Himself. In this life, God allows men the time to lock in their choice. He takes no pleasure in their foolish direction and is disappointed in their rejection of Himself. However, He shows them both continued patience and kindness to give them a reason to change their minds. But once a man has made his choice, Jesus will give that man what he has requested.

So I would pose these words to my critic: "Your question implies a threat. But if you understand 'hell' to be a term that describes existence wholly apart from God, aren't there some who would consider this a blessing? Don't some individuals think that life would be easier without the God of the Bible? So which are you? Would you consider living wholly apart from God a good thing or a bad thing?"

If my critic thinks living apart from God is bad (a conclusion the Bible would affirm), then I have some Really Good News we can talk about. If he thinks living apart from God sounds like a good idea, then his original question is both confusing and misleading. He is labeling what he desires as a penalty and blaming God for giving him what he wants. Makes me want to ask, "Have you stopped misrepresenting God, yet?"

Cambria's Dirty Little Secret

 
The "Cambrian Explosion" poses something of an evolutionary conundrum. Darwin's Dilemma, a DVD produced by Illustra Media, was released last month and provides an intelligent assessment of the problem.

The Cambrian period, dated from 542 to 488 million years ago (give or take a few million), presents a remarkable paleontological panorama. Prior to the Cambrian, the fossil evidence shows the presence of some sponges and what-not. But then in a geological flash, numerous phyla (distinguishable, defined, and developed body plans) burst onto the scene - hence the term, the "Cambrian Explosion."

The resultant problem for Neo-Darwinism is manifold. Certainly the absence of any fossil record of transitional forms is an obvious and perplexing issue. But there are some profound and no less troubling matters arising from our current understanding of data processing.

I watched the DVD last night, including the 60 minutes of bonus material. It's all good! It is well-suited to home-schooling (but is not going to hold the interest of most elementary and many middle school student), adult discussion groups, and for sharing with friends who are open and interested in "Intelligent Design." The militant Darwinist will dismiss it. But anyone who wants to be allowed to consider the evidence will appreciate the producer's focus on the fossil record itself and his restraint in posing solutions.

There is a great nugget tucked away in the bonus material. On the page for "Signature in the Cell" is a menu tab titled, "Interview with Stephen Meyer." His story about the programmer who said, "Someone has been here before," will prompt you to think about life and our Creator in new ways.

Want to spark some intelligent discussion with science minded friends? The decision about purchasing this DVD is no dilemma.

Not Your Grandma's World

A profound demographic shift is transforming the western world. Birth control (with great dependance on abortion) was supposed to solve the problem of global over-population. Instead, it has doomed our grand children to live in a culture increasingly dominated by Islamic influence. This video is a clear and concise summary of what is happening. How does its insight into our future affect what you do today?

Remembering Your Sisters in Jail

Last Sunday, August 9, Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh were brought before an Iranian court. They have been held for the last five months in Evin prison and were brought before the court to pressure them into recanting their profession of faith. You can read the full report filed by Elam by clicking here - highly recommended. Here is an excerpt:

Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. “We love Jesus,” they replied. He repeated his question and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”

Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.”

“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,” was their reply.

Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, “We have no regrets.”

Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”

During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”

Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”

Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to speak to you.”

Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.”

Although Christian persecution is (currently) rare in the United States, it is the norm in many parts of the world and has been so from the beginning. The New Testament outlines specific steps of action to be undertaken by those who are NOT in prison toward those who are. So read these verses and think of Maryam and Marzieh.

The writer of Hebrews commands, "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body" (Heb. 13:3). Maryam and Marzieh are our sisters in Christ, so we will not forget them. We will remember them in prayer, and serve them as God gives us opportunity, knowing that we, too, could someday share a similar fate. Paul requests, "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Tim. 1:8). We have every reason to be proud of our sisters. In the strength of their faith, they will leave their prison with honor.

But we are not blind to the pressure that is being brought to bear against them. They need divine strength to maintain their testimony, and we can play a vital role by asking Father to keep them strong. When Jesus addressed the church of Smyrna, He identified seven key truths that can reinforce persecuted saints. Here is a prayer for the Maryams and Marziehs of the world that is informed by these seven truths.

Dear Father, we come before you on behalf of Maryam and Marzieh and all persecuted Christians. (1) Even though their circumstances have been turned upside-down, remind them that You are the beginning and the end. That which matters most, their relationship to You through Jesus, has not changed. You are still God; your purposes have not changed; your love for them has not diminished. Give them incredible calm in the face of glaring uncertainty because they KNOW You have not changed.  (2) Give them hope in the confidence that death is our door to life! Jesus has already shown us by His resurrection that life follows death, that death is no threat but a door to life, and that we will follow Jesus to life in Your presence. (3) Please remind them that you understand what they are going through. Nothing that is being done to them has escaped your notice or failed to arouse your concern. You know! Remind them that You do not take lightly what is done to Your children. (4) Give them the profound inner joy that, regardless of what is taken from them, what matters most is absolutely secure. They are rich in Christ. Nothing that men, nothing that judges, or guards, or prosecutors do, can confiscate their true riches. (5) Speak to their hearts and remind them that You are in charge. This is not a situation that has spun out-of-control. You are calling the shots, and whatever these men do out of anger or opposition to Jesus, they will only further Your purposes. Help the hearts of our brothers and sisters to bubble over with joy in the knowledge that you ALWAYS lead us in triumph. Someday, we will be able to look back on what transpires here, and discern in it one more stepping stone for the victory that is ours in Christ. (6) Give our brothers and sisters the kind of wisdom that creates joy in the face of trials. Help them to know that You will use this experience to better conform them to the image of Christ. (7) Whisper to their minds, "It will be worth it!" Cause the hope of eternity to burn brightly within their hearts, for them to have an unshakable resolve to stay true to Jesus, to know that they are walking a path that leads to eternal life. We pray these things in the blessed name of Jesus our Savior, Amen

Overcomers and Drop-Outs

Yesterday, we made two observations. (1) The term, "overcomer," that is used in the book of Revelation is simply another title for a "true Christian." (2) The overcomer is willing to die for his faith. He loves the Lord more than life itself and overcomes by thwarting others' attempts to compromise that love. This seems clear enough. But we have to ask, "Is someone who fails to 'overcome' because he denies the Lord not a 'true Christian?'" Our notion of what constitutes a "normal believer" doesn't seem to include this courage that thunders, "Die before deny!" Isn't the whole martyr gig for the Stephen's of the world, and surely not the stuff of ordinary Joes for Jesus?

It is common in today's church to encourage people to pray a "sinner's prayer." It's a good idea! But the simplicity of this moment has potential to reinforce a really bad idea, "Insurance Policy Salvation." When a man says, "Yea, I prayed 'the prayer' a long time ago so I'm good with the man upstairs," it is appropriate to ask if that prayer was about getting fire insurance or the day a fire for God got started! A man can receive salvation in such a moment of prayer, but if he truly has been saved, we ought to be able to see some changes. James would say that faith without works is dead. Faith without change is lifeless faith. Living faith changes a man.

The true state of a man's faith is not always obvious. True, the Lord knows those who are His. But, we can be fooled. Even an apostle like John admits to being taken in, for a time, by some pretenders: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). There were some in the congregation who gave the appearance of being the real thing. But only when they bailed from the fellowship to pursue an agenda of opposing Christ were their true colors revealed. Perhaps these pretenders "prayed the prayer," but they demonstrated the falseness of that prayer by their actions.

The overcomer is the real deal. Striking evidence is provided by his willingness to be steadfast when following Christ is accomplished by carrying a cross. True believers are willing to die for Jesus. I don't hear this principle talked about much in our pulpits. Not a good sign! It ought to be preached - because it conveys something profoundly encouraging. A marketing slogan queries, "Is it in you?" For the true believer, the answer is a resounding "yes," and we're not talking about sugar water. When someone genuinely surrenders to Christ, he receives the capacity to stand for Christ despite the cost. If you know Jesus, then the capacity to "overcome" is in you. You can do this!

Begone, Oh Chubbies!

I always thought successful companies employed a simple strategy: "Figure out what people want and sell it to them." Silly me! Here's an article from the LA Times that outlines how the Obama administration is leaning in their latest efforts to "help" the ailing auto industry: Stop giving the people what they want. Only offer them what Uncle Sam has decided they should want. Give them Renault Dauphines instead of evil F-150's and Corvettes.

What a great idea! We could use this approach in all kinds of areas. For example, we have an obesity problem in America, right? And most clothiers are struggling in the economic downturn, right? So why should the government waste a perfectly good crisis? Why can't Uncle Sam fight obesity while "helping" the garment industry just like he is helping Detroit? If he required all garment makers to produce only small and medium sized clothes, it would force the chubs to change their ways! The obese would be shamed (literally) or constrained into eating responsibly.

I wonder if a black market might develop. Imagine catching a voice from the shadows, "Hey, buddy. I've got large and (he pauses for effect) extra-large T shirts. (He lowers his voice to a whisper.) I've also got jeans in waste sizes of 36 and above. You ever worn clothes that fit? You're not gonna believe how good it feels. Wanna try 'em on?" Watch human ingenuity kick in when men are coerced into doing the right thing.

What would our world look like if God "helped" us using the Obama method? Forcing men to do "the right thing" by denying them all choices to do otherwise is not beyond His ability. But God has a better idea! Use grace to accomplish what force cannot. Give men a perfectly good reason to choose the right thing. The cross is that perfectly good reason. Grace respects me enough to allow me to make my own choice, but gives me sufficient reason to make the right choice. That idea suits me better than jeans that fit.

The Real Prosperity Gospel

Who doesn't want to prosper? All men (with a few bizarre exceptions) share this basic desire. They differ, however, by the creative range of means they use to pursue this prosperity. Solomon knew a thing or two about prosperity, so his thoughts on the subject warrant our attention. Listen to this striking piece of counsel: He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion (Prov. 28:13).

The genuine prosperity of seeing your plans and desires come to fruition is put in jeopardy when your energies are dissipated in attempts to conceal your secret sins. The fear of being discovered, doing what you must to keep from being found out, is a terrible waste of your energies. The healthy alternative is both simple and scary. Honestly admit what you have done to those who need to hear your confession, God being the first name on your list. Then, make a clean break from your sin. As you do, you will find yourself on the receiving end of compassion, both from God as well as those who know what it means to be forgiven.

This is not just Solomon's idea. Peter echoes the same promise on the day that the church came into existence: “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

When Jesus died on the cross he made it POSSIBLE for men to have their sins wiped away. But they have their own part to play to turn what is possible into what is ACTUAL. To "repent" and "return" is something each man must choose for himself. Those who do unlock the power of the Gospel to make men rich. Inner refreshment, a sense of God's presence, compassion from God and others - I would call the recipient of such treasure a truly wealthy man.

The Adding Machine Says It Ain't Chump Change

Finally, someone has discovered how to use an adding machine as we herald the "bailout of the day." Here's the scoop from Bloomberg. If you want to see the research behind the article, click here. Bloomberg did what, to my knowledge, no one else has done. They simply added up all the commitments, lines of credit, and guarantees being put forward by the Fed, FDIC, Treasury, and FHA to "solve the economic crisis." The total is $7.7 trillion and counting!

Here's an illuminating quote: "The money that’s been pledged is equivalent to $24,000 for every man, woman and child in the country. It’s nine times what the U.S. has spent so far on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Congressional Budget Office figures. It could pay off more than half the country’s mortgages."

Oh, how my confidence soared at this inspiring gambit from Ben Bernanke:  “Some have asked us to reveal the names of the banks that are borrowing, how much they are borrowing, [and] what collateral they are posting,” Bernanke said Nov. 18 to the House Financial Services Committee. “We think that’s counterproductive.” Huh? It's counter to whose productivity? Certainly not mine. We, the taxpayers, are supposed to fork over $7 trillion but without knowing to whom and for what. This sounds like the kind of scam a Somalian pirate would drool over!

By the way, the largest share of this $7.7 trillion came from the New York Fed, where Timothy Geitner is President. Yup - He's Obama's appointee to be Secretary of the Treasury. So I guess that "change we can believe in" will involve more than chump change.

I am so glad that God's economy is never strapped for cash: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (2 Cor. 9:8). Credit may be tight, the market in turmoil, and main street in distress. But if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have a ready supply of grace, more than enough to do good to those around you. You are flush enough with grace to lavish good deeds on others. God's got you covered. Get out there and spread the wealth!

Is it a good idea to be good for goodness sake?

Are you sick of all the positive thinking blather frothed up in motivational posters? If so, you might have the right stuff to do some Christmas shopping at Despair, Inc. The sample above captures their take on the whole inspirational poster scene:

AT DESPAIR, INC., we believe motivational products create unrealistic expectations, raising hopes only to dash them. That's why we created our soul-crushingly depressing Demotivators® designs, so you can skip the delusions that motivational products induce and head straight for the disappointments that follow!

There is optimism and then there is blind optimism - and I appreciate Despair's attempts to put the latter in it's place. It is comforting to know that at least someone can see through a positive outlook that lacks a foundation in fact.

Alas, the latest unChristmas campaign sponsored by the American Humanist Association doesn't seem to be headed in the same direction as Despair. This is the organization that is using a controversial campaign of bus signs to create some buzz and identify prospects. (See the sample at right - "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake.")

Who are these guys? Click this link to get it in context, but here's what they have to say about themselves: 

Many people imagine that the only way to be good in this world is through belief in a god. But is that really necessary? Must we be bound by moral dictates set down in “sacred” texts written hundreds, if not thousands of years ago? Must we accept the authority and judgments of “spiritual” leaders and religious hierarchy? Does religious faith offer the only lens through which to judge life’s events?

The answer to these questions is no! There is another way for us to approach life. We can have ethics and values that aren't set in stone. Our ideals and principles can evolve over time to reflect our ever-changing and increasingly complex world. Yet, we can be confident of the decisions that we make, not because someone told us what to do but because we relied on our own careful reasoning and emotional reflection. We can live a life that accepts and appreciates the world as it is, without needing to see supernatural explanations behind every event. This is a positive and uplifting way to live.

Okay, L-W crowd, what's your assessment? Is this an attempt to gin up a sunny outlook without the sun? Is this the kind of fluff that Despair, Inc., would lampoon? Are the above two paragraphs populated by straw men? Is this a viable candidate for a "positive and uplifting way to live?" Some of you have been reading Light-Work for too long without comment. It's time to weigh in and test your reflexes. How would you respond to someone who espouses this view? Just in case you're procrastinating with this project, here's another motivating poster from Despair, Inc.

Those Nicer Evangelicals

When we started Collierville Bible Church almost twenty years ago, one of our first challenges was finding an appropriate name for the new work. The church was sponsored by First Evangelical Church of Memphis and the assumption was that the new work would have the word "evangelical" in its name as a hallmark of this lineage. But we ran into a snag. We discovered that the meaning of the word "evangelical" was fuzzy. When we tested out "Collierville Evangelical Church," it left most people wondering, "So what are you?" They couldn't tell you what an "evangelical" is - but they did understand the word "Bible." We figured, "Honoring, learning, and applying the Bible is what we're about - why not make it our middle name?"

This name choice was not a departure from being evangelical, however. Here's an excerpt from the notes for the CBC New Members class:

Collierville Bible Church could be described as an evangelical, doctrinally conservative church.  CBC is an independent congregation – it is not part of a larger organization nor a representative of a particular denomination. When we say it’s “evangelical,” that word describes lots of different kinds of churches who share a common vision: They proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and believe it is essential to do so. To say that CBC is doctrinally conservative means that we’re not interested in innovation, novelty, or creativity when it comes to interpreting the Bible. We strive to be faithful to the timeless truths taught in God’s word.

The words in bold capture our basic summary of what it means to be evangelical. It seems fairly straight-forward. But cultural and political trends have messed with my tidy definition. The meaning of "Evangelical" has become even fuzzier than it was twenty years ago. The term has come to be bandied about, often as a slam against those who are attempting to rally Christians toward political conservatism. Evangelicals are depicted as those who coerce or impose their beliefs on others. Here's what happened at a church in Michigan last weekend - just to give you some appreciation for the problem.

In an attempt to deflect some of the criticism, a group of evangelical heavyweights has drafted An Evangelical Manifesto. Here is a very handy summary that is also available at their website. I can commend both documents but I am not sure if their strategy will prove effective. Here is the logic behind it - these are my words, not theirs:

People are mad at evangelicals. But they are mad for reasons that are unfounded. If they just understood what we believe, they would see that much of their criticism is based on misrepresentations. If they would just read our manifesto and get to know us, we could all be friends.

I am glad for their efforts to jettison some baggage and clarify what we believe. And I will be delighted with whatever benefits this effort imparts to the debate in the public square. But even if we were called "those nice evangelicals," the clash between world-views will remain both real and fierce.

Outrageous Parking Fees and Obama Nation Ambassadors

The abuse of "diplomatic immunity" by United Nations delegates on the streets of Manhattan was big news in the 90's. Things were really getting hot when Mr. Giuliani decided enough is enough, although something of a truce was eventually established. Things haven't changed much in ten years - deadbeat diplomats are still in the news.  I can understand their motivation. Why should they be subjected to the rules and regulations of a country of which they are not citizens?

This is a question not unlike one we face as followers of Jesus. Our ultimate citizenship is not of this earth! Here is the Apostle Paul's summary:

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Phil 3:20-21).

We don't belong here. Our home country is elsewhere and it makes our current living conditions seem so decidedly inferior. How I long for our homecoming! So we have to ask, "What are we doing on this God forsaking planet?"  Here's Paul's answer:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20).

We have been given an assignment, to represent the Kingdom of Heaven on the rebellious planet. Those who break off their hostilities with God and embrace Jesus as their Savior have their citizenship immediately transferred. But, they remain, for a time, in their host countries as delegates. Here's where the issue of parking fines comes in. In a previous post, I made the case for respect for the office of the President, regardless of who occupies it. Now let me add a note about results.

One of the characteristics in our host countries is their highly developed capacity for judicial sentiment. They can accurately identify what is right and wrong when it is applied to someone else. There is abundant evidence of this characteristic in the current criticisms flying between Republicans and Democrats. When you find yourself thinking, "Isn't this a case of the pot calling the skillet black," you are watching judicial sentiment in action. Earthlings can accurately identify a mere speck in someone else's eye even while ignoring a 2 x 4 in their own.

Peter once wrote to citizens of heaven living in a hard place on earth. Here's what he reminded them:

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Pet. 2:12-15).

To be sure, we submit to the laws and leaders of the land because it is God's will. But when we do, there are two additional outcomes: Ill-informed critics are demonstrated as fools for the fact that their criticisms don't stick. Second, lost people observe the kind of behavior which makes God look good and which gives them reason to praise Him when He shows up.

When we show disrespect for the laws and leaders of our host countries, we curtail our ability to represent well our King and His Kingdom. We do not have diplomatic immunity! Our King requires us to make Him look good by showing the citizens of our host country how a model citizen would behave. There's far more at stake here than our like (or dislike) for a President who will occupy an office for a few earthly years. Don't muddy the water with petty parking fine failures when it could hobble someone's ability to share eternity with our King.

Is Faith a Requirement?

"Where does God say that man is required to have faith and why?" That was the query recently posed to my friend. The question can be construed to represent God as a hard nosed stickler. If you're not bringing faith to God's table, don't bother coming.

I find it helpful to think of faith as a privilege not an obligation. It is true that unleashing the power of the Gospel cannot be accomplished apart from faith. BUT, God forces Himself on no man! God does not compel belief, He invites it; He respects us enough to allow us to make our own decision. Think of “faith” as God’s declaration: “I am NOT going to compel you to believe the Gospel. Yes, it makes sense. Yes, it holds within it the power for salvation. And yes, that power will be unleashed when you, by faith, choose to apply it to your life. But I am giving you the power to choose what you will do – I am allowing you to believe or not believe. Now, don’t get me wrong. There will benefits and consequences depending on what choice you make. Not all decisions are created equal. Rejecting the Gospel is the worst possible decision you could EVER make. But it IS your decision to make."

Let’s say that you are selling some sort of agricultural product to Farmer Brown. This product will revolutionize his farming enterprise. So you make your pitch and FB seems thoroughly impressed with your field studies, charts, and cost projections. But the power of your product is not unleashed until it is applied to his cropland. He must purchase it and then act on the “application instructions” to see the results.

So is it with the Gospel. Someone can be quite impressed with the evidence for the Gospel. He can even appreciate how it has been helpful to others. But the power of the Gospel is not unleashed until that someone ACTS on it. He doesn’t have to purchase it (Jesus already made full payment for as much Gospel as a man could need). He merely signs for delivery and applies the product to his life. This is “faith in the Gospel,” choosing to apply the Gospel to his thoughts, words, actions, and aspirations. When a man does this, the power of the Gospel is unleashed.

God is not forcing anyone to use His product. But it happens to be the only product on the market that works. It's the smart choice.

The Next Big Thing? Pt. 9

Imagine coming upon someone at a railroad crossing slumped over the steering wheel in his stalled car. In the distance you see the headlight of an approaching freight train. What is the only response that makes sense? Spring into action to rescue the stranger from imminent peril! Forget the car, get the driver to safety! For many, the approaching Day of the Lord will arrive like that oncoming train. They are oblivious to their peril - but are at profound risk.

What can we discern from 1st and 2nd Thessalonians about this Day and the events surrounding its arrival? By the way, none of these predicted events (here's the list from a previous post) answer to events in history since the first century. This means that the chronological perspective of the Thessalonians is identical to ours. Whatever was "in the present" for them is relevant to our day. Whatever was "in the future" for the Thessalonians is still in our future. This could change at any moment. In fact, I suspect we are very near the in-breaking of these future events. But AT THE MOMENT, we are looking forward from the same chronological vantage point as the original recipients of these epistles.

Remember that there are two perspectives on the Day of the Lord (see yesterday's post) and sorting out the many references to eschatological events in the Thessalonian Epistles is made simpler by observing this distinction. The opponents of the Gospel will experience the coming of the Day of the Lord in a VERY DIFFERENT way than the saints. Both will encounter an eschatological 180. For saints it will mean going from persecution to comfort. For Jesus' detractors it will mean going from peace and safety to wrath.

What does the approaching train look like? To keep this short, I have attached a very useful list which you can download. This has key verses grouped by terms. If you will print a copy and keep it handy, I can summarize what the coming train looks like without bulking up this post with full quotes. We will work backwards from our fixed reference point, the parousia (coming) of the Lord.

Okay, here is what lies ahead FOR GROUP ONE - Those who hinder the gospel (1 Thess. 2:14-16) and who persecute the saints (2 Thess. 1:6-8). They have an appointment with wrath (1 Thess. 1:10; 2:16). It is an irrevocable future certainty established in the past (1 Thess. 2:16). Jesus will return to earth in force to effect the eschatological 180 by which these afflictors become the afflicted (2 Thess. 1:6-8). Those who do not know God and those who have not responded to the gospel with the actions of faith will be dealt retribution by Jesus and His fiery host (2 Thess. 1:6-8).

This day of wrath will be TOTALLY unexpected. Prior to its arrival, men will consider themselves to be living in a time of peace and security (1 Thess. 5:1-4). They will have no more clue to what's coming than the unsuspecting victims of a cat burglar (1 Thess. 5:1-4). This doesn't mean Jesus will return without warning. Alas, the recipients of this wrath will be deceived about the times in which they live and oblivious to the warning lights flashing around them. Here are two of those warnings: (1) Society will have embarked on a grand (sic) experiment. Everywhere apostasy will be in vogue; life with God factored out of the equation will have become the accepted and celebrated norm (2 Thess. 2:1-3). (2) This trend will be capped by the appointment of a leader, "the man of lawlessness" who has become the poster child and dynamic public cheer leader for "living my way, not God's way" (2 Thess. 2:1-3). In reality, the philosophy he espouses is a sure path to self-destruction but NO ONE GETS IT. The majority will view his rise to prominence as an event of near Messianic significance (2 Thess. 2:3). He, for his part, will gladly assume the mantle of deity (2 Thess. 2:4). Empowered by Satan himself, this one will be equipped to deceive the masses (2 Thess. 9-10) who will blindly follow him in the pursuit of pleasure-driven living (2 Thess. 2:11-12).

For the present, several forces are at work. (1) Lawlessness, this philosophy of living in defiance of God, is clearly at work, but not openly (2 Thess. 2:7). It is held in check, for the time, and forced to work behind the scenes (2 Thess. 2:7). There will come a time when the restraints come off and "lawlessness" comes out of the closet. But not yet. (2) God has not yet released the great delusion. For the time, it is possible for men to appreciate the merits of the truth, to get it. But when "the apostacy" is in full swing, men's hatred of the truth will reap a universal delusion. Men will find lies and fabrications to be thoroughly convincing (2 Thess. 2:11-12). They will find it impossible for "any reasonable man" to embrace anything other then their "live for pleasure" approach to life (2 Thess. 2:12).

All of this is not a pretty picture. But there is still time to rescue some. Lawlessness has not yet become the dominating philosophy it will. Men are not yet beyond seeing the appeal of the truth. Yes, some may refuse rescue, insisting instead to straddle the tracks before the wrath, daring it to oppose them. But there will be some, like the Thessalonians, who will listen.

For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:9-10).

Obnoxious Christians - Pt. 2 of 2

Some state, "There is only one way to be saved, through a personal relationship with Jesus as one's Savior and Lord." Others declare, "There are many ways to be saved." Who's right?

Remember the politician who beamed, "Some of my friends are for it, and some of my friends are against it - I'm for my friends." Is it possible to take a cue from him and embrace both statements? Yes, except for the stubborn phrase, "only one." If you exchange "only one" in the first statement with something less exclusive, then both statements can become friends. It would yield this composite: "There are many ways to be saved. One way is to be saved through a personal relationship with Jesus as one's Savior." Break out the candles and start singing Kumbaya! Stated this way, the Jesus people can do their thing while everyone else discovers what works for them.

Once we insert the phrase "only one," however, these two statements become hopelessly irreconcilable. Both of them claim to be the truth, but only one can have the title. If Jesus is the "only way," then there CANNOT be many ways. So, is insertion of the "only one" clause necessary? Jesus declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). This passage seems to clearly demonstrate that the inclusion of the "only one" clause is Jesus' idea. There are some who say that this key passage is being misapplied. We have been around this block before, so let me just direct you to one of our exclusive "pretty good downloads," an analaysis of John 14:6. Sift through the evidence, and you can be sure of this: Christians believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation because Jesus taught it.

Remember the principle I asked you to tuck away last week? We have a moral obligation to communicate with others what we know about the good and the bad of choices that are theirs to make. If Jesus is the only way, then men who turn to any other way are in grave peril. And, the imperative to "love your neighbor as yourself" requires us to make their peril known. Why not take our approach to publishing truth about temporal issues and adapt it for use in matters of eternal importance. Remember the process we described last week? Here's an adaptation to the Gospel: A sense of moral obligation should drive us to share this information with a circle of friends, acquaintances, and contacts; anyone who could benefit from this knowledge. How could we face them in the future if we withheld what we know? We need not cajole or pressure anyone to respond; we should give them the information and sources to examine the issues for themselves; we ought to encourage them to take our appeal seriously; we must answer their questions with patience and grace.

There are two trends afoot that I think are at cross purposes to this approach. On the one hand, I will admit with shame and sadness that there are those who claim to be Christians but whose speech and behavior detracts rather than adds to our credibility among those who need to hear our message. We deserve some of the invective we are receiving from our culture. We do Jesus no service when we give people reasons to dismiss our message.

But we should not kid ourselves. People are going to find reasons to dismiss our message, simply because the "only one" clause puts us in a position where someone is right and someone else is wrong. So here is my second concern: Some believers are responding to the criticism by losing their voice. They are tempted to downplay the "only one" clause, or even concede this point to the culture of "many ways" in order to get off the hot seat. There is no way to reconcile our "only one" view with the modern mind of "many ways." We cannot pretend that there would be no conflict if we "just understood one another."

So, on the one hand, let's give our culture every reason to listen to our message. Our truth-claims exclude competing claims - Let's not use any confidence in our position as an excuse to be arrogant and dismissive. But, let's ALSO not fool ourselves into thinking it is possible to be popular with the "many ways" crowd without compromising our essential message. Stay the course between the twin perils of arrogance and silence: Don't be obnoxious, but speak up!

It's OK to be Lost

The long awaited fourth season of "Lost" has started - we sure didn't get much story development for a two hour investment. Maybe next week. I am intrigued by the fact, however, that this series has shaped our understanding of the term "lost." The term is an apt descriptor for passengers on Oceanic flight 815 before the plane ever went down! As we get to know them (mostly through "flash-backs") we realize they were carrying way more baggage than what's strewn about the crash site.

Take Jack, for example. Prior to being lost on the island, his life was driven by a hopeless quest for an alcoholic father's approval, skewed by an inability to accept his divorce, and crazed by the transfer of his wife's affections to another. But on the island, he is rescued from himself. He gains a sense of purpose, embraces his role as a leader, and rallies the survivors to defy "the others." Jack is FOUND at the one place where he is LOST. In several "flash forward" scenes introduced in the finale of season three, we are teased by Jack's realization of precisely this truth.

It is fascinating that this series is using the term "lost" to describe those whose lives are a mess. The world might take umbrage at being called "lost," but no more. Network television has now endorsed the use of the term "lost" for those who need a fresh start, whose lives need saving. That this salvation is realized as one is lost is an even more stunning revelation. It sounds like something Jesus would say: "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it" (Luke 17:33).

I am definitely NOT saying that "Lost" is preaching the Gospel. But, the popularity of the series opens up GREAT topics for conversation.  Here are some questions you might use:

1. What does the title, "Lost," say about the main characters?  How are they lost?
2. What character do you most identify with? Why?
3. For most of the main characters in the series, they get a fresh start on the island - do you think its possible to get a fresh start in real life? How?
4. Is it possible to lose everything you thought was important and discover what really matters?

I suspect that when we unlock the secret of this island, the good news of salvation in Jesus will NOT be the focus. But, between now and then it's OK to talk about what makes a man lost, and how sometimes  losing your self is the best way to find a life worth living. Your conversation might open a door to sharing the Gospel, the story of the greatest rescue mission of all human history.

An Amazing Wristband Story

Last Summer we had a church picnic where I first met "Alice." Alice had never heard of Collierville Bible Church. She had come home from work to discover her children missing; a phone call confirmed they had gone with neighbors "to an Awana picnic." So she got directions from her neighbor and that's how I first met her. She had come from Vietnam at age 19 to the United States. Now she was standing on the church grounds asking what an "Awana" is.

Two things became apparent in our conversation. She was thirsty for something more. But she did not understand the Gospel. So I used my amazing wristband to clearly and simply explain the five principles I don't want to ever forget. I talked about what it means to "receive, believe, stand, and hold fast." And I asked her if what I was saying made sense. She said "yes" and it was obvious she was ready to unwrap the package.

So we went and stood at the foot of the cross in the worship center. There she prayed and began her journey with Christ. I accompanied her to my office where I gave her a copy of 31 Days to Living as a New Believer, another Evantell resource that is great for new believers. Then we walked to the welcome center where we have a fountain that doubles as a baptistry. As we talked, something clicked in Alice's memory. She shivered as goose bumps covered her arms and wonder washed over her countenance.

She explained a dream she had experienced two nights before, a dream that had just become real. As I stood in front of the fountain, she realized she had seen this exact scene in her dream. The fountain, my appearance, and my stance all lined up with one of the visions in her dream. There were two main scenes she had seen. In the first, Jesus was caring for a newborn who was adult sized. The second event was of a man who took her to two rooms where something profound happened and who was standing in a certain way in front of a fountain.

In that moment when reality intersected with her dream, Alice realized she was that newborn, and I was the one God was using to assist her in that new birth. God had shown her beforehand what He intended to do for this thirsty soul. How fitting that it says above the cross, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give shall never thirst."

Five Points From the Amazing Wristband

The Good News Wristband available from Evantell is a great evangelistic tool. I don't have to fumble with a tract, it's right there on my wrist and ready for action on a moment's notice. A tattoo might have the same quick-draw advantage, but this wristband has way brighter colors. Plus I can "spin" the bracelet as I make my points so there's no distracting wrist contortions. Simple, easy, clean, bright, healthy! Evangelism doesn't get any better than this!

The wristband comes with a card that outlines a simple gospel presentation that follows the sequence of colors. The Bible reference that goes with each color/point is also printed on the inside of the wristband. Nice! I have made some minor modifications to the presentation to bring out some important nuances to the Gospel. Maybe these ideas would be helpful to you, too. Regardless of whether you use these suggestions or share straight from the card, you will be amazed at what can happen as you use this simple wristband to engage in conversations with eternal implications.  Once I have opened a conversation with the "five-principles-I-don't-want-to-EVER-forget" intro (see yesterday's post), here's what I try to communicate using the bracelet.

The YELLOW reminds me that God is the source of light and life. In Psalms it explains, "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light" (Ps. 36:9). To be separated from God is to walk in the dark and to be cut off from the source of life. To dwell in His presence is to really live while basking in His light!

The BLACK reminds me that all men are in trouble. If we get paid our wages, if we get what we have earned, we will "go to black," separated from God who is the source of light and life.  The Bible tells us the bad news (but there's some good news, too), For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23). No matter how hard I work, if I get what my sin has earned, it is death.

Did you catch the good news? God sees our problem, but He doesn't abandon us. He loves us and wants to GIVE us what we CANNOT earn. The RED reminds me what this gift cost: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Jesus' blood was God's full payment for my sin. His shed blood made it possible for me to receive God's gracious gift.

There are two parts to this gift - the first part solves my HISTORY problem. Jesus' blood has given me a clean WHITE slate. According to the Bible, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Eph. 1:7-8). Look at my past and you see a steady stream of rebellion against God's law. But because of Jesus, my record can be wiped clean.

Forgiveness takes care of my history, but I also have a HEART problem - part of me is predisposed to defy God. So even if you give me a clean record, it seems like I'm just going to mess it up again. God's gift is bigger than my heart problem. The GREEN encourages me with this amazing truth: No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9). God's gift includes new life, a rebirth in which sin's hold on my heart is broken. I am actually liberated to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Here's the summary of these five principles. No man has enough earning power to purchase life with God. But God has already paid for it with the blood of His Son. His gift is available to anyone and it solves everyman's two greatest problems - his blemished history and rebellious heart.

Does this make sense to you? If it does, then I want to explain how you can unwrap God's gift. What would you think of someone who still has an unwrapped present from you under his Christmas tree in the middle of JULY? Your gift is costly and reflects your knowledge of what the recipient most needs, but it hasn't been opened. So your gift is doing the recipient absolutely no good. The five principles on this bracelet tell you about an incredible gift that God has made available to you, but it will do you no good unless you unwrap it. Interested?

If someone says, "Yes," then I move to an explanation of what it means to unwrap the package. I use 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 and explain these words: receive, believe, stand, and hold fast. This bracelet makes it so simple for people to understand the Gospel - try it!

The Amazing Wristband

You need to check out Evantell! Their slogan is: The Gospel. Clear and Simple. Larry Moyer, the founder of Evantell, has a heart for equipping believers to share their faith. Here is some history that explains the driving vision of the ministry. I met Larry at a "You Can Tell It" seminar at First Evangelical Church in Memphis (long, long ago in a galaxy far away!) and I like what he's about. He sees the need for evangelism that is thoroughly informed by the Bible in both its message and methods. And, he is convinced that sharing your faith is NOT THAT COMPLICATED. Evantell has retained its focus, kept it simple, even as it has grown. Bravo!

They put out some great resources. My favorite is this Evangelistic Wristband. I have used it for the last year or so and have some amazing stories to share. The conversation usually begins something like this: "What do you think are the most important principles you would want your spouse [or your children, or your friends, or your coworkers] to know about life? I wear this wristband to remind me of the five things I would say, five principles that I don't EVER want to forget." Naturally, most people want to know what those five principles are, and that's when we're off and running. VERY FUN!