Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

Monthly Archives: September 2018


by 1 Comment

Squirrels and Weeds: Frustration and Perseverance


I spend a good amount of time reading and writing on our patio. My wife and I both enjoy watching the birds come to the feeders that we have installed just off the patio a few years ago. What I don’t enjoy are the squirrels who help themselves to the food intended for the birds. But try as I might, I can’t keep them out of the feeders. Last year, we bought a baffle. All that did was provide a nice seat for the squirrel to rest on while feasting on the bird food. I tried using Vaseline on the feeder pole, and that didn’t work either. More than a few times (and I just did it again as I wrote this), I’ve chased a squirrel away from the feeders and followed him as he took refuge in a nearby tree.
This year it’s even gotten worse as chipmunks have joined in the fun of frustrating me. Not only do the chipmunks join in eating the bird food, but they also dig in my potted plants on the patio. And recently, either a chipmunk or squirrel took a chunk out of a ripening tomato on one of my mother-in-law’s plants, and they consistently eat the small berries on our strawberry plants. All of this is very frustrating. Though I’m not having much success against these scoundrels, I’m trying to persevere.
The frustration continues with weeds in our lawn and flower beds. Despite putting down a preemergent in the spring, weeds still come up. There is a curse on work due to the Fall, and that curse impacts all of our work.  After Adam and Eve sinned, in Genesis 3:17, God told Adam that he would curse the ground, with thorns and thistles. I persevere by using Roundup, but I know that more weeds will soon be up. It’s a never-ending battle. Tim Keller says that the Fall means we should expect to be regularly frustrated in our work.
Now those are somewhat humorous examples but isn’t this representative of the Christian life? Think of some of the frustrations you run into:

  • Learning a new skill
  • Overcoming that familiar sin in your life
  • Growing in the Christian life
  • Learning a new job
  • Raising your children
  • Resolving conflict at work or in a key relationship

To achieve any worthy goal, you will have to go through frustration. I believe Michael Jordan was the greatest player ever to play basketball. But it’s his famous quote about failure that is relevant here:
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
What does the Bible say about dealing with frustration and persevering? Here are 10 verses to encourage you:

John 16:33 – I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
James 1:12 –  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 – As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

We all deal with frustration. How do you persevere and endure in the midst of these frustrations?


by 2 Comments

Thoughts on God’s Amazing Creation

Since taking early retirement a few months ago, life has certainly slowed down for me. One of the many joys I’ve had during this time has been an increasing appreciation for God’s amazing creation. Instead of attending meetings, coaching and mentoring people (which I loved), I’m getting a lot of time to spend outdoors, something that I hadn’t done very much for years.
Though it took a while to warm up in central Illinois (and we wondered if it ever would), it finally did. That allowed me to work on our lawn, putting a down a weed preventer and also some grass seed. Then I hoped for rain, but watered when we didn’t get rain. When some of the local garden shops had some sales, we stocked up on perennials for our garden, which over the past few years had not gotten much attention. Then I hoped for rain, and watered when we didn’t get much. Later, we had some evergreens, hosta’s and daylilies planted during a very hot period. Again, I hoped for rain, and watered when we didn’t get any.
I’ve enjoyed some wonderful time reading and writing on our patio (or what my wife Tammy has come to call my “outdoor office”). I also enjoy watching the birds at our feeders just off the patio, though at the rate they are emptying the feeders (daily), I joke that I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to continue to afford to feed them.
This summer, Tammy and I completed an eight-week discipleship class led by a pastor we love, who recently left our church to take a call at a church about a half an hour away. The class is on “Abiding in Christ for the Sake of Creation”, and included two sessions at a beautiful nearby five-acre garden owned by a dear seminary professor and his wife. While at the garden, we enjoyed opportunities to commune with God in solitude. The class has given me a greater appreciation for how God is revealed in creation.
Theology distinguishes between special revelation (the Bible) and general revelation, which includes God’s creation. Keith Mathison tells us that “General revelation is referred to as “general” because it has a universal content and is revealed to an overall audience. “Through general revelation to all men, God communicates His existence, His power, and His glory, such that men are left without excuse.” Theologian Robert Godfrey adds “General revelation, properly speaking, is God’s clear display of His glory and power in the works of creation and providence. As the Scriptures explain: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). He goes on to state that “All nature, all the time, shouts out the existence, power, and splendor of God.”
Do you enjoy God’s creation? Not just the majestic oceans and mountains, but the trees, butterflies, and yes, even those squirrels who eat your bird food? Do you see how through general revelation creation reveals God’s existence to all?


by Leave a comment

MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS


Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions) – NEEDTOBREATHE
*** ½

This EP contains four songs that the band recorded over a few weeks while they were in Fort Worth, Texas with the producer trio Niles City Sound. The EP gives us a good idea where the constantly evolving band is now. Below are a few comments about each of the new songs:
Bridges Burn – This was the first song released from the EP. It opens with piano and hand-clap. Bear Rinehart sings that it’s time for moving on as there are some things you can’t forget. He wants to watch all his bridges burn and dance in the light of a lesson learned. He wants to leave everything that hurts and never go back to the way they were. The mid-tempo song builds gradually over a passionate vocal.
Key lyric:  I need to find somewhere I can believe. I need to know there’s a chance we can be.

Darling – This beautiful song has Bear singing over acoustic guitar. He is singing to his wife, wanting to talk to her on the phone while he’s on the road and she’s at home. He just wants to be home with her, the only thing that carries him through. He acknowledges that it’s hard for her to be at home, taking care of the house on her own. As the song builds, light instrumentation, including some horns and backing vocals supplement Bear’s vocals. Key lyric: I don’t wanna do this alone.

Bullets – This song opens with guitar, and then moves into a rock beat, with drum, organ, horns, keys and backing vocals. The song is about how you can’t put the bullets back into a gun, can’t undo what we have done or said, which is a tough lesson we have to learn.  Musically, it’s the most interesting song on the collection.
Key lyric: Don’t let your heart be stone, don’t be the bitter one.

Forever On Your Side – The closing song was the only song that hadn’t been released prior to the full EP being released, and it’s my favorite song on the EP. It features husband and wife duo Johnnyswim (Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez) on backing vocals. The band has indicated that this song was written for their fans who have been with them since the very beginning. The song begins with guitar and then builds with drums and banjo. The lyrics are uplifting and encouraging. We don’t know what’s around the bend but love knows no end and he’ll be forever on her side. Like Jesus, he will carry her every time because he’s forever on her side. With Johnnyswim joining the band on tour, this song will sound amazing live.
Key lyric:  Take my hand when you can’t see the light, ‘cause I’m forever on your side.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:
 Reviews of Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin and My New Moon by Amos Lee
 Music News
 Music Quotes from Keith Getty
 Song of the Week Lyrics
Continue reading →


by 3 Comments

BOOK REVIEWS and NEWS

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry. B&H Books. 208 pages. 2018
****

Jackie Hill Perry is a 29-year-old writer, speaker and artist, who was born in St. Louis. She writes that she has written this book out of love for what a good God has done for her – loving her and giving her new life and a new heart. She tells us that what God has done to her soul is worth telling. It is to invite us into her worship.
The book is broken into three parts.
Part 1: Who I Was
The author tells us that she was attracted to girls before she knew how to spell her name. After discussing what took place in her second-grade classroom, she writes that in 2006 she was asked by a girl at a high school dance if she wanted to be her girlfriend. She said “no” at the time, but really wanted to. But when she thought of the girl she would think of spending eternity in hell. Her heart was saying “yes” but her conscience was saying “no”. Eventually she gave in, however. Satan told her to do what felt good. She trusted herself more than she trusted God. Sin was better than submission.
The author’s mother and her father, an employee at her mother’s restaurant met at an East St. Louis club in 1988. This would eventually lead to a pregnancy. The author’s mother considered aborting the child. The relationship between Jackie’s mother and father didn’t work out, and Jackie grew up without a father at home. He rarely visited and she was convinced that he didn’t love her. Jackie writes of him dying unexpectedly at a relatively young age.
Jackie was sexually abused by a teen-age family member in a dark basement. As she grew up, her experiences with men in her life were an absentee father and a sexually abusive relative.
As a lesbian, Jackie was manly, and her girlfriend wanted her to play the role of the stud in their relationship. She would have at least one other girlfriend.
At that time, Jackie was an enemy of God. But God was using her conscience. He was, as she called it, ‘hunting her’. In addition, a family member prayed for her. She realized that she would have to choose between God and her girlfriend. She writes about being saved in her room.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for more of this book review and:
BOOK REVIEWS ~ How Should I Think about Money? by R.C. Sproul
Morning and Evening: A New Edition of the Classic Devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon
BOOK NEWS ~ Links to Interesting Articles and Free Audiobook!
BOOK CLUB ~ How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age by Jonathan Leeman
I’M CURRENTLY READING….
Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

THIS & THAT: A Weekly Roundup of Favorite Articles, Cartoons & Quotes

  • Wrestling the Giant: Why I Deleted Instagram. Andrew Peterson writes “I deleted Instagram from my phone earlier this summer. A few months before that I did the same with the Facebook app.”
  • God Wants You to Be Happy. In this short video, Francis Chan speaks on the necessity of joy in the Christian life.
  • Joy Through Sacrifice. “This week at VOUS Church we had the special honor of hearing from the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, Lecrae. He dove deep into the idea that joy and pain go hand-in-hand by giving a glimpse into his own story of hardship.”  
  • I Have Chronic Fatigue – How Do I Not Waste My Life? In this episode of the “Ask Pastor John” podcast, John Piper responds to the question “How can I be a faithful servant of the Lord on the days when I can do nothing?”
  • How Should Christians View Sunday? Sinclair Ferguson writes “Hebrews teaches us that eternal glory is a Sabbath rest. Every day, all day, will be “Father’s Day!” Thus if here and now we learn the pleasures of a God-given weekly rhythm, it will no longer seem strange to us that the eternal glory can be described as a prolonged Sabbath!” Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

My Review of SEARCHING

Searching, rated PG-13
****

Searching is a suspenseful, innovative, well-written and acted thriller about the mysterious disappearance of a teenage daughter and her father’s efforts to find her. It is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year.
Much of the film takes place on sites accessed on an electronic device. We watch along as the lead character accesses the sites desperately looking for information that will allow him to find his daughter. The film is directed by Aneesh Chaganty and written by Chaganty and Sev Ohanian.
The film begins by showing us that the tight-knit Kim family, consisting of father David, played by John Cho (Star Trek, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle), wife Pamela, played by  (Furious 7, Twin Peaks), and daughter Margot, played by Michelle La in her first major role.

***SPOILER ALERT***
Soon however, Pamela is diagnosed with cancer, and after an initial remission, the cancer returns and Pamela dies. Father and daughter must carry on, and though it looks like they have a good trusting relationship, David will soon find out that he doesn’t know his daughter very well at all.
Sixteen-year-old Margot tells her father that she will be at an all-night study group to prepare for an upcoming exam. Although he thinks that’s odd, he trusts her. When he gets up in the morning, he notices that he has missed phone and FaceTime calls from Margot. When he tries to get ahold of her he gets no response.
As time goes on he begins to get increasingly worried until he finally reports Margot as a missing person to the police. He is contacted by Detective Rosemary Vick, played by eight-time Golden Globe nominee Debra Messing (Will & Grace, The Starter Wife).  Vick is compassionate and is also a parent, and is determined to help David find Margot. She encourages him to reach out to Margot’s friends to get clues as to where Margot might be.
David realizes that he really doesn’t know any of Margot’s friends. He then begins accessing her text messages and social media sites – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.  As he does, David (and the audience) are pulled into aspects of Margot’s life that her father was completely unaware of. At one point, he reads questionable text messages between his brother Peter, played by Joseph Lee and Margot. As each day goes by, the probability of finding Margot alive decreases as we see the local San Jose, California media cover the developing story.
**********************

Searching has a number of good twists and turns in the plot. John Cho is excellent as the increasingly desperate father searching for his missing daughter. Debra Messing delivers a strong performance as the compassionate detective firmly committed to finding Margot.
Content concerns include some adult language, including the abuse of God’s name, some violence, and sexual references.
Themes include family, fear, deception, father-daughter relationships and perseverance.
Searching is an excellent movie that is creatively filmed like no other film you’ve ever seen. It is original, never predictable, tense throughout, well-written and acted.


by Leave a comment

My Review of OPERATION FINALE

Operation Finale, rated PG-13
****

Operation Finale is a tense, well-acted film based on the true story of the 1960 top secret mission to capture leading Nazi figure Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The film is directed by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (About a Boy), and written by first-time screenwriter Matthew Orton.  Orton thoroughly researched the story, and the film stays mostly to the story exactly as it happened. Weitz filmed the movie in Argentina in the same actual locations where the events took place.
As the Allies marched toward Berlin in the spring of 1945 it became apparent that the Third Reich would fall. Some of the Nazi leaders, including Hitler, committed suicide rather than being captured. Adolf Eichmann, played in this film by Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) was among those who did not. Eichmann, the architect of the Final Solution, the wiping out of the Jewish population which would result in the murder of six million Jews, was originally captured by Allied forces, but he escaped the prison camp, eventually landing in Argentina with his family in 1950.
Peter Malkin, played by Golden Globe winner Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero), is a member of Israel’s intelligence agency known as the Mossad. His job is to take out former Nazi leaders, but he has been known to make mistakes on missions, sometimes with deadly results. Malkin’s older sister and her young children were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.
Fifteen years after the war, we meet Sylvia Hermann, played by Haley Lu Richardson, a young woman living in Argentina. She was sent there from Germany as a child during the war to live with her uncle. What she doesn’t know, since she was raised as a Catholic, is that she is really a Jew. She begins dating Klaus Eichmann, played by Joe Alwyn, who takes her to a Nazi gathering. Over dinner, her blind father Lothar Hermann, played by five-time Golden Globe nominee Peter Strauss (Men Don’t Tell, Kane & Abel), becomes suspicious when Klaus tells him his last name. This eventually leads to the discovery that Adolf Eichmann is living as Ricardo Klement in Argentina with his wife and two children, working as a foreman at a Mercedes Benz factory.
Israel soon sends a Mossad intelligence team to Argentina to capture Eichmann and bring him back to Israel to stand trial. Peter Malkin is a part of that team. His former girlfriend Hanna, played by Mélanie Laurent (Inglorious Bastards), who has also made mistakes on similar missions like this, is recruited to be the doctor on the trip. (Note: this part of the film was fiction. There was a doctor on the team, but the doctor was Yonah Elian, a male).
When the Mossad arrive in Argentina, they find that there are police and government officials who are sympathetic to Eichmann. Argentina’s fascist-leaning government had created a safe haven for Nazi war criminals. According to the Argentinean government, Eichmann will have to agree in writing to his deportation. Can the team get Eichmann to sign the document before the mission is discovered?
The film centers on the relationship between the captor and prisoner, with Malkin trying to understand Eichmann as more than a monster. Both actors give excellent and perhaps Oscar worthy performances.
The musical score by Alexandre Desplat, was particularly effective, especially during an opening credits scene.  The entire cast is solid, including Lior Raz, who plays Isser Harel, the director of the Argentinian operation.
Themes include sacrifice, justice, family, and the horrors of the Holocaust.
Content concerns include adult language, and Holocaust war violence, often depicted in flashback dreams of Malkin.
Overall, Operation Finale is a tense, well-acted true story of the 1960 secret mission to capture leading Nazi figure Adolf Eichmann that I would highly recommend.