On July 27^th the church lost one of its warriors for Christ.  John R. W. Stott left this sin-stained world at the ripe age of 90 to
behold the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Stott struggled with the doctrine of hell back in the 90s, espousing what is known as Annihilationism (the false teaching
that hell will not be forever).  Some say he later simply became agnostic on the whole doctrine of hell, which may be
even worse than denying that it is everlasting (Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thess 1:3-10).  At any rate, the evangelical world was
stunned to see such a brilliant Bible mind stray in this matter.

This stumble notwithstanding, John Stott was a blessing to thousands of believers around the world.  Through his pulpit ministry at All Souls Church in London, through his books, and through his life of service to the last, least and left-out, Stott was a channel of blessing.  It is a real shame, in my mind, that most Baptists I know really have no clue who John Stott is, having never read or heard him.

Personally, I was introduced to Stott at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the Spring Semester of
2005.  One of the required texts for Dr. Albert Mohler’s Systematic Theology course was The Cross of Christ by John R. W. Stott.  That book catapulted me into far deeper thinking on the work of Jesus the Christ than anything I had ever encountered.  Since then, I have enjoyed and been challenged by Stott’s commentary on John’s Epistles, as well as his classic preaching text Between Two Worlds.

Rather than continue to type my own words, I would simply like to let Stott have the last word on this blog post.  May the readers of this blog take up the challenge to go buy some books authored by Stott and read them.  They will drive you deeper into the Book of books – The Holy Bible.

 We strongly reject, therefore, every explanation of the death of Christ which does not have at its centre the principle of ‘satisfaction through substitution’, indeed divine self-satisfaction through divine self-substitution.  The cross was not a commercial bargain with the devil, let alone one which tricked and trapped him; nor an exact equivalent, a quid pro quo to satisfy a code of honour or technical point of law; nor a compulsory submission by God to some moral authority above him from which he could not otherwise escape; nor a punishment of a meek Christ by a harsh and punitive Father; nor a procurement
of salvation by a loving Christ from a mean and reluctant Father; nor an action of the Father which bypassed Christ as Mediator.  Instead, the righteous, loving Father humbled himself to become in and through his only Son flesh, sin, and a curse for us, in order to redeem us without compromising his own character.  The theological words ‘satisfaction’ and ‘substitution’ need to carefully defined and safeguarded, but they cannot in any circumstances be given up.  The biblical gospel of atonement is of God satisfying himself by substituting himself for us (The Cross of Christ, IVP, 1986, pp. 159-60).

I did something totally out of the ordinary yesterday - I went to an actual theater to see an actual movie.  To be exact, my awesome wife planned a special lunch date for me yesterday followed by a matinee.  She took me to see Captain America.

Captain America is the first Superhero I remember as a young boy.  The first coloring books I remember were Captain America.  I used to love getting the red, white and blue colors placed precisely on his uniform and shield. 

Born out of World War II, Captain America represented sacrifical service to one's nation.  Unlike more modern Superhero's, Captain America seemed to stand for all that was right and good and wholesome.  I don't think we'll ever see a movie titled Captain America: The Dark Years.  

And on this account, the move did not disappoint.  Now, I am no movie reviewer, so I'll spare you the details of the flic.  What I found very interesting, however, is how at the end of the movie (yes I'm about to give it away), Captain America woke up in the 21st century.  (He was frozen since WWII under polar ice - go see the movie to make sense of it all.) 

Doubtless, this lets us know there will be a sequel.  But, awaking Captain America for the current generation was also highly symbolic.  I don't know if you've noticed, but we Americans could really use a hero right about now!  We need a rescuer.

Friends, we need a Superhero who can rescue us from ourselves.  We are self-destructing - morally and financially and politically and spiritually.  Like Rome of old, we are rotting from the inside out.  A healthy dose of the self-sacrifice Captain America represents would do us well. 

But, as much as I like Captain America, not even he's up to the task before us in 2011.  What we need, especially and particularly in the Church, is a "Pre-Jericho Experience."

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked and behold, a man was standing before him with his sword drawn in his hand.  And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our enemies?"  And he said, "No, but I am the commander of the army of the Lord.  Now I have come."  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped and said to him, "What does my Lord say to his servant?"  And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy."  And Joshua did so (Josh 5:13-15). 

While we could debate the identity of this "Captain of the Lord's Army," there is really not much need, is there?  Joshua worshipped Him and the Captain accepted his worship.  That rules out angels and mere mortal men.  And, the words the Captain spoke to Joshua were almost identical to the words of Almighty God spoken to Moses from the burning bush.  And, Joshua responded with worshipful submission and an eagerness to obey, much like Paul on Damascus Road, "Lord, what would you have me do?" 

Here's the Superhero we need - The Captain of the Lord's Army.  His Name is Jesus.  He is a Warrior par excellence who fights for His people by laying down His life for them, and then taking His life up again to vindicate His name and secure their right standing before Holy God (John 10:14-18; Rom 1:1-4; 4: 24-25). 

Only Captain Jesus will suffice to rescue us self-indulgent, disobedient Americans.  Are you crying out to Him to rescue you from your sin and filth?  Are you crying out to Him to rescue your children from materialism and secular humanism?  Are you crying out to Him to revive His people and His work in this adulterous age?  Are you crying out to Him to enthrone Himself on your heart and kick out all other competitors for your affections? 

What captain(s) are you proclaiming to your children?  Your co-workers?  Your neighbors?  Your enemies?

There is only one Captain, one Rescuer, worth giving up everything to gain.  "Come Lord Jesus!  Amen" (Rev 22:20).

Hermeneutics is the study of proper Bible interpretation.  Fancy word, simple definition. 

Miley Cyrus fans have seen her go from a "Jesus rocks" little girl to a rebellious liberal-minded faux believer.  The Hollywood brand of Christianity, touted by the likes of Cyrus and Beyonce, looks nothing like what Jesus Christ said it meant to follow Him. 

Please do not, I repeat, do not look to Miley for theology, doctrine or Bible interpretation.  Apparently she has been having a spat with a fan on FB over a "gay rights" tatoo she now has on her finger.  It is an "equals" sign and Miley posted something to the effect of "All Love is equal" on her fan page.  http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/Miley-Cyrus-confronts-fan-over-gay-rights-tattoo-1633175.story?gt1=28135 

One fan decided to take her on, and he has been ostracized and lambasted.  Miley of course used the most well-known (and most mis-interpreted) verse in the Bible - "Judge not lest you be judged."  That's Matthew 7:1 for all you Bible students.  Of course, interpreted in context (which is a hard and fast rule of hermeneutics that Miley obviously never learned), Jesus is actually teaching His followers how to properly assist a fellow believer fight sin in his or her life.  Jesus is actually telling us in Matthew 7:1-5 to judge according to the right standard (God's Word), and to fight sin and pursue purity in our own lives FIRST, so that we can then effectively help others identify and fight sin in their lives.  So, it's funny so many throw this verse around like it's the way to end all discussions of sin.  Even funnier that in context the passage is not at all addressing a pronouncement concerning sin among non-believers.

At any rate, Miley goes on to say "God is love."  So, that's her argument.  "Don't judge.  All love is equal.  God is love".  Tidy.  Neat.  Trite.  And a total distortion of everything the Bible teaches about judgment, God, and love. 

Precisely because God is love (1 John 4:7-11), any action posing as "love" that runs counter to His holy character is most decidedly not love.  By Miley's reasoning, pedophilia is also "equal love."  So, too, is "doggie love," called bestiality.  Friends, love is fixed forever.  Because God is its very source and definition, and He never changes, so true love never changes.  It is not open to Miley's whims!  God is love and showed us what love is by sending His Son in the flesh to bleed out for homosexual sinners and heterosexual sinners.  Jesus is love in the flesh!  His love penetrates all sin, breaks down all barriers, and is a settled act of His will that always acts sacrificially for God's glory and the good of the beloved.  This is the definition of love.  Sexual perversions which God has condemned have no claim upon "love."  Rather, they fall under "lust of the flesh."  They are the very wickedness that put True Love on the cross!

And, Miley should rest assured that it matters not whether she thinks it's "judging" someone to tell them their actions are sinful.  God is the Holy Judge of all the earth and every person will give account to Him.  Even if Christians never said another word about homosexuality being a sin, God will still judge it as such on the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. 

Friends, to warn sinners to "flee from the wrath to come" is the most loving thing to do.  If God has spoken in and through the words of the Bible (and He has), then whether sexual perversions are sinful or not is not up for debate.  The Bible is crystal clear on those accounts.  It is not an act of judgment for me to simply tell people what God the Judge has said.  No, it is an act of mercy and love and compassion.

The Lord told the Prophet Ezekiel that if he did not warn the  people of his day, their blood would be on his hands.  That sounds pretty serious to me.

Miley, stop playing Hollywood games.  Repent and trust Jesus as Lord of all, rather than treat Him as your psychological feel-good guru.  Jesus never missed a single opportunity to warn sinners to fear the Holy Judge (and He even claimed to be that Judge in John 5).  Follow His example and use the platform He has granted you to "speak the truth in love."  Making sinners of any sexual persuasion "at ease" in their filth is sure to put their blood on your hands.  I advise against it.

And, please, Miley, go take a good Hermeneutics course.  They offer them at Boyce Bible College in your home state of Kentucky!  And while you're at it, interpret Psalm 5:5 for me.

"You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-45).

Norway has experienced the carnage of anti-terror terrorism.  My heart goes out to all those suffering, and I pray those who truly belong to King Jesus in Norway rise above this anti-gospel insanity.

While I do not want Sharia Law to influence the American political and justice systems in any shape, form or fashion, I do want Muslims who are devoted to our Constitutional Republic to be free to worship here.  I am a Baptist, and it strikes me that my Baptist forebears moved here to escape religious oppression, only to face it at the hands of Catholics and other Protestants yet again in New England.  This was why Rhode Island became a colony, and the Baptists were instrumental in the early framing of our freedom of religion.  

There must be a balance here somewhere, right?  I mean, personally, I understand the Koran at times endorses violence against non-Muslims.  But, only the truly "text-driven" followers of Islam embrace this doctrine.  Many Muslim Americans simply do not endorse terror or acts of violence against their non-Muslim neighbors.  Those who do, we should treat as criminals, like any other murderers among us.

[Oddly, there is correlation in the Christian realm here, as many people who worship as "Christians" are not text-driven either.  If they were, they could never endorse the homosexual lifestyle, multiple divorces and remarriages, never teaching the Bible to their own children in their homes, and so on.  But I digress.]

What has happened in Norway, however, should cause all of us Americans to pause and seriously ponder our future.  It remains to be seen whether this nation can actually continue to be a place where freedom-loving Muslims and Christians live side-by-side in peace.  

For the most part, the history of Islam and Christianity has been bloody, with plenty of shame and blame on both sides.  But America until recently has been a refuge for all who are weary of the religious blood-letting.  But now, we have scores of people protesting mosques being built, and even burning mosques to the ground.  (To be sure, I do think certain locales are not suitable for mosques, such as Ground Zero). 

For decades we American Christians have been horrified by Muslims burning churches down in South Sudan.  But now, where are the Christian voices speaking out for the Muslims who have had their places of worship burned?  Where are the Christians who will actually give aid to suffering Muslims in America?

Do not misunderstand me, I do not think churches should raise funds to build mosques!  We do not want to endorse or support their false religion or teachings.  But, as Americans we surely do want to protect their right to worship freely and peaceably, don't we?

More importantly, we as Christians are commanded by our Lord and Master to love Muslims.  And, we must love them in word and deed.  To pray for Muslims.  To speak the gospel to Muslims.  The way of the Master will help us find the balance we so need.  The way of Christ is our only hope of finding our way forward in these trying matters.  Fighting fire with fire is not the way of Christ among our neighbors, co-workers, and schoolmates.  We are called to leave the fire-bombing to God alone:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vegeance is Mine, I will repay says the Lord.'  To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, given him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:17-21).

This is the way forward, but we shall never find it if we do not stay on our faces before God, crying out for enabling grace, a gospel heart full of the love of Jesus, and an undying passion to reflect His holiness and goodness to our lost and dying neighbors, including Muslims.  

And as of now, in America, we still have a form of government that actually provides us a grand opportunity to live out the way of Jesus, and to offer Living Water to every thirsty soul.  May God keep us free, but even if He does not, may He give us grace to show ourselves true "sons of the Father."                      

California's Governor has just swept away any semblance of parental authority left in that state. 

He signed a law that essentially mandates the public schools promote the homosexual agenda and the homosexual lifestyle.  No warning necessary to parents; Teachers are just given free reign to do it.  Or, more correctly, they are now obliged by law to do it.  Read about the law here:

http://onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=1387852

Now those of us who have lived our whole lives in the South have always thought of California as a "quack" state, at least the Southern portion of that state anyway.  That said, I have met numerous devout followers of Christ from CA in recent years.  And, amazingly, some of the most biblical churches in our Nation are in CA.

But, the political policies streaming from that state, not to mention the hair-brained judicial rulings, prove clearly that the majority of the voters in California have absolutely lost any sense of moral sanity.  California has lost its way, in every sense of the word "lost."

It will prove very interesting to see how true Christian teachers in the CA public schools respond to this mandate to promote homosexuality to young children.  The right thing to do in God's eyes as revealed in His Word is crystal clear (Romans 1:26-32).  Promoters of sin are just as guilty before Holy God as practitioners of those same sins, including homosexuality.

More interesting still will be the response from Christian parents.  [It might be noted that even non-Christian parents who simply love liberty and hate tyranny should be standing alongside the Christians in the fight against this usurpation of parental rights.]   I often wonder what it would take for a mass exodus from the public schools to occur among Christian parents.  While the homeschool movement has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, and private schools, too, the overwhelming majority of Christian parents in America still send their children to be discipled by the state.  And in California the discipleship curriculum will now include pro-homosexual instruction. 

May many more Christian parents rise up and make whatever sacrifices necessary to disciple their children in the ways of Christ, and to carefully monitor any other teachers they allow to have authority over their children.  If parental authority is going to be delegated, then we had better demonstrate a soberness heretofore unseen.

Most disturbing of all in this whole situation is the cold, hard reality that what starts in California typically moves east.  May Almighty God help us hold off this onslaught, defeat it in California, and push it back into the Pacific Ocean.

Lastly, for those who think me a homophobe, I would like to point out that my stance against the homosexual lifestyle is motivated by total submission to the authority of the Bible (the breathed out word of God), as well as a loving desire to see ALL sinners redeemed from the bondage of sin by the bloody cross work of Jesus Christ.  Jesus can rescue sinners from the slavery of homosexuality, from drug addictions, from envy, greed, and lying.  Jesus saves sinners, and Jesus alone! 

And, it is well worth noting that in the list of sins the Apostle Paul gives in Romans 1:26-32, we have too often singled out homosexuality while ignoring "disobedient to parents."  It's right there in verse 30.  Go check it out for yourself. 

Maybe that's how we got to where we are in California?  I have watched Christians laugh at disruptive, disobedient children in churches my whole life, as if their rebellion is funny or cute.  I have watched children tell their Christian parents "no" all my life, with no consequences.  I have had to admit that the modern invention of "Children's Church" is a necessity due to unruly, totally undisciplined children in our churches.  Seems to me everyone but parents are training up children today, and when Christian parents actually get an hour or two with their children, they are baffled as to how to raise them up as children who submit to proper authority unhesitatingly.  If that's how we want our children to serve God (obey right away with joy in their hearts), then we are not doing so great at preparing them for this kind of humble submission, are we?

Oh well, enough soapbox rambling from this preacher.  One thing is obvious, Holy God is not laughing at any of our children's disobedience, or defiant attitudes, or cute little tantrums.  God is also not laughing at California's spitting in His face. 

Repent, for the Day of Reckoning is coming, dear friends!  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked" (Gal 6:7).

Today I read of two court rulings - one in CA and one in TX - both of which continued the governmental assault on parental rights. 

The CA case, which went to the Supreme Court, concerned violent video games being sold to minors.  Apparently the Supreme Court thinks it has a solemn duty to NOT protect children of any kind (born or unborn).  Funny thing, the government has intruded into every sphere of our lives but for some strange reason thinks minors should be able to buy violent games with absolutely no interference whatsoever.  That was the ruling from the High Court - CA has no right to restrict minor's access to video games that bring gore to a whole new level. 

And, here's the kicker, parents apparently have no right to want a law that helps them ensure their children cannot openly purchase this corrupting garbage without their physical presence and approval.  Say what? 

If the elected lawmakers of CA want a law to help parents properly shield their children from violence, then why should the Supreme Court even care?  The two dissenting judges rightly applied what the Founder's would have intended by saying, in essence, they would not have purposed for the government to give free access to harmful things to children because the Founder's strongly embraced and upheld parental rights! 

In other words, the government should encourage sound parenting, not discourage it, much less enable children to exercise their "freedoms" to the detriment of parental authority and the ruining of their own souls. 

But Founder's intent is not something many judges are concerned with today.

The second case in TX is even more disturbing.  A judge flatly told a mother to stop spanking her child, and gave her several years of probation.  This, in spite of eyewitness testimony that none of the spankings had caused any physical damage to the child.  The spankings did not even leave any bruises.  [My Daddy would say this mother was not even really spanking the child, but that's another story.]

Now Christian parents, here is a dilemma we will surely have to face more routinely in this country.  When, not if, the government tells us to stop spanking our children, what will we do? 

God give us grace to answer in an Acts 5:29 fashion.  The government does not know better than God how to raise children.

You can read about the two court cases at www.onenewsnow.com.

On the day when I am supposed to be the one blessing my wife and children (and I really did try to), I found myself the recipient of an unspeakable blessing.

It came in simple form - a prayer offered by my youngest daughter Keileigh. 

Last night, during our family worship, we sang two hymns: "Nothing But the Blood" and "Man of Sorrows."  I cannot explain the joy of seeing my little girl raise her hand to heaven as she sweetly sings:

This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus! 

Earlier in the day, we had studied John 6 together, where my girls heard the Savior say repeatedly, "I am the bread of life."  We talked together about what Jesus wanted those people to really understand.  They were following Him around to see signs, to trap Him in something "wrong," or to eat their fill of loaves and fish.  What those people, and we today, must come to see is that Jesus is our life!  We only need Him.  He is enough.  Period.  Jesus is the bread of life.

We also spent some time learning the answers to a catechism designed to teach us about pivtoal doctrines of the faith.  We were focused in on justification.  My girls learned three answers to three questions, but seemed to be having some difficulty grasping the reality of Jesus' perfection substituting for our defection. 

I wondered how much they were getting.  I prayed for the Holy Spirit to do the heart work of sinking the truths deeply into their minds and souls. 

Then, later that night, after singing the hymns mentioned above, we concluded our family worship as is our custom, on our knees as a family - husband, wife and two daughters.  We began to pray, and my youngest girl insisted on being the last to pray this time (that's usually my job).  I deferred this time. 

Her prayer was an unspeakable gift of grace to me on the eve of Father's Day.  My 7-year old daughter began pouring her soul out to her Lord.  She sobbed deeply while praying for God to help her mommy because her Dad had died years ago and was no longer here with her.  She thanked the Lord with these words (and I paraphrase, but nearly quote)  -

Thank You, Lord, for crushing Your Son for us.  Thank You for killing Jesus on the cross.  It should have been me hanging on that cross.  Thank You for saving us and giving us Your righteousness. 

Now, don't bother telling me a 7-year old cannot grasp justification, or atoning sacrifice.  I ain't listening! 

And the prayer of worship continued to flow out of her young heart.  This is what her mother and I have prayed for and long for, that she simply and purely be graced with a heart that is thrilled by Jesus.  The gift Keileigh gave me was a prayer to her King from a gospel heart of a child. 

Both my daughters give me overflowing joy each day, not to mention my gorgeous bride.  But last night, Keileigh's heart shone like the light of the Son! 

Thank You, Jesus.  In a million lifetimes, I could not muster up enough goodness to merit what I enjoy at Your Sovereign Hand each day.  To be surrounded by daughters of the King, to hear them sing, to hear them pray, to watch them love You and Your Word - this is what I crave for Father's Day, and each day thereafter, so long as you give me breath.  Oh, God, make it so.  For Your Name's sake, Amen.       

Several months ago, our local newspaper (www.jdnews.com) ran an article about the community of North Topsail Beach.  Apparently, at some point last year, prayer to open the town meetings was canceled.  But, a few alderman began to reconsider this PC decision.  So far, so good . . . until you see what they actually adopted.

You see, rather than allow clergy or board members to open their meetings in prayer as they were led of the Lord and their conscience (the American Way), the alderman and Mayor opted to adopt a "scripted" prayer.  Its theology is rich and its significance deep.  I hope you are sitting down as you read this stunning, powerful, poetic prayer:

"Bless this town, and may it remain a beautiful and friendly place to live.  We pray that this board makes fair and informed decisions tonight.  We also pray that our police officers, firefighters and members of our armed services, here and around the world, remain safe as they risk so much for our security.  We also pray that our town be spared the ravages of hurricanes and other natural disasters, and that everyone associated with the town remain safe and secure."

Now isn't this a nice, quaint, very American little prayer?  Who could possibly be offended by this prayer?

THE ONE TRUE GOD - THAT'S WHO! 

I would like to ask the citizens of North Topsail Beach if this is what they want in their leaders.  To whom are they praying?  The word "god" is not even mentioned, much less the title "God" or "Lord" or "Heavenly Father." 

Go back and take note of how often the words "safe" and "secure" are used.  This is what matters to Americans most today - that we get to keep our quaint, risk-free little lives with our picket fences. 

Interesting, too, that they pray to be spared from hurricanes and natural disasters.  They had better be praying to a BIG GOD if they expect that request to be honored.  Yet, they do not even so much as hint that they have any god in particular in mind.  I guess just whatever god comes to their resuce and ensures their peace, tranquility, and supports their ongoing comfortable lifestyles will do. 

THEY ARE PRAYING TO NOBODY IN PARTICULAR!  THEY ARE MAKING SPECIFIC REQUESTS TO AN UNKNOWN, UNNAMED "SOURCE."  (Acts 17 comes to mind, doesn't it?) 

Most ironically, they pray to make "fair and informed decisions."  Yet, the decision to adopt this mamby-pamby prayer is the most ill-informed and unfair thing this board has done in a long time. 

It is precisely this kind of thinking that has this nation under God's holy wrath.  It is precisely this kind of religious pandering that ensures ongoing "natural disasters," which are only the tip of the iceberg, friends.  I have become convinced that Almighty God, who has blessed America with so much access to His Word (the Bible) and His gospel (which is about His Son Jesus dying for our sins and rising again), is bringing this ungrateful, spoiled-rotten nation to her knees.  So-called "prayers" like this one will only make matters worse.

Don't believe God can or will take America down?  Go spend some time with King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon (Daniel 4).  Do you see him there in that cow pasture eating grass?  And when did he get relief?

"At the end of the days, I,  Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me and I blessed the Most High God, and praised and honored Him who lives forever" (v. 34).

That's a good lesson for North Topsail Beach, and Jacksonville, and North Carolina, and America.  And I believe God will do whatever it takes to remind us of this truth - "for His dominion is an everlasting dominion."

God forgive us, for the sake of Your Holy Son Jesus, please forgive us.  Amen.

The segment on NBC's Today show this morning had me flabbergasted.  Watch it here:

http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/05/22/6695931-should-parents-be-blamed-when-kids-fail-at-school

Now, if I understand what is happening, schools across the nation are actually beginning to brainstorm ways to punish parents for poor student performance (some schools in Alaska fine parents for truancy among their children). 

While parents surely can and should have the largest influence on their children's attitudes towards education and their performance therein, it is sheer madness for the school system to think it has any right to "grade" parents or punish them if their children aren't meeting a certain standard.  This is fascism, totalitarianism, tyranny - not freedom.

So, how does this work, this idea of schools "grading" parents?  Does a parent of a 6th grader now sit down to be scolded by the single, 22-year old just-out-of-college school teacher concerning parenting skills? 

And who determines the parental grading scale?  What measurements are taken?  What factors are considered?  Poverty?  Dual-income households?  Single-parenting?  Night shifts?  The list goes on, doesn't it? 

Our public education system is in centrifugal decay.  It has not been doing very well at educating our children, even if parents do an otherwise decent job.  The stats to substantiate this claim just keep pouring in.  The system is bankrupt in more ways than one. 

But on this one account I will give the state schools their due - they are recognizing, even in their misguided attempts at lording it over parents, that the solution to all our educational woes lies with the parents, not within the system itself.

[Now, if we could just get Sunday Schools and Youth Ministries to realize this same thing - but that's another post.]

Dads and Moms can fix this mess.  Principles and teachers, while able to make a local dent, simply cannot right the national ship.  It's too much to expect of anyone.  But parents do have the power and God-given authority to right this ship.  Of course, for Christian parents, I believe this demands a return to Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 6.  The time has never been riper for you, Christian parents, to reclaim the raising and teaching of your child(ren).  For the glory of God I pray many of you do, and will do whatever it takes to reinstill a love of learning in your child(ren). 

Education is about God, His glory, His orderly cosmos, His Son, His wisdom, His love.  And, parents are God's chosen vessells to deliver this education.  This design simply cannot be improved upon. 

But for those of you who truly need the state schools, or who choose to keep your children in it, please get into your children's textbooks, into their cell phones, into their lives, and fight to imbue them with God's Word and perspective on all things education.  It will mean overtime hours for you, but God's glory and your children are worth it. 

And for all of us, we must remember what it means to live as free people.  The Federal government's track record in the matter of child-rearing is abysmal.  They had no right, biblically or constitutionally to ever enter the arena of education.  The U.S. Constitution never mentions education, and the 10th Amendment gives all "powers not delegated to the United States . . . nor prohibited by it [the Constitution] to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Interesting, isn't it?  But, the government of the United States has been on a decades long roll towards bigger influence and power over every area of our lives.  They have become the "Savior-State" to which Americans look for everything.  For crying out loud, the Governor of North Carolina does commercials on TV telling us all how to properly sneeze during flu season!   Now the state schools are going to "grade" parents.  Where will it all end?

Thankfully, whatever becomes of the United States, I do know with certainty the answer to that last question.  It will all end up, one day, in an absolute monarcy.  A perfect one, under the reign of King Jesus, the Lord of lords (Rev 21-22).

Until that day, Christian parents, my advice is if at all possible, bring your kids home and raise, teach, and disciple them yourselves.  God's way is still the best way.

Today I celebrate the goodness of God in granting me 16 years of marriage with Michele.  What an amazing gift of His love she has been to me through thick and thin.

Just as God in Christ loves us in spite of us, so she has often loved me in spite of me.

Her submission to my leadership/headship has humbled me.  Indeed she EXPECTS me to lead her and our daughters, and rightly so!  I cannot get off the hook with this gal, nor do I wish to.  I love being hooked by her.

The growth of Christlike love in Michele's heart has wowed me over the years.  Christ is in her and over her and shining through her.  I cannot begin to praise the Lord Jesus enough for allowing this woman to be the mother of our two daughters. 

For those who know us, you know we homeschool and could not be dragged away from it by wild horses.  But, what makes us so "sold" on this educational method (aside from the obvious biblical commands), is that it allows the lady who is most qualified in all this world to teach womanhood and motherhood to my daughters to actually do it 24/7.  I have often said, if producing a brainiac mathematician or chemist was our goal in raising girls, then my wife and I would make very poor choices to be their teachers. 

But, if our goal is to raise girls to be daughters of King Jesus, who will love their husbands and children, be workers at home, so that the word of God is not dishonored (Titus 2), then I cannot think of a finer teacher than my bride.

We beg for God's saving grace and sanctifying grace in our own lives and the lives of our children.  May the Spirit of holiness continue to invade and pervade our marriage to make us more like Jesus, together as one flesh, showing off His glorious love for His bride, the church.  All to the praise of His glory in the face of Jesus the Messiah!

Michele, I cannot wait for the next 16 years.  I simply cannot imagine how deep my love and admiration for you will be then.  May it only be superceded by my love and admiration for our King and Redeemer.

Happy and Holy Anniversary,

Keith