Thought of the Day 06.17.08

Every discussion of homosexuality these days includes some mention of the idea that people are “born gay.” For the sake of argument, let’s just grant that this might be the case. Even so, so what? The idea that people have innate dispositions to do inappropriate things isn’t unique to gays. In fact, it’s so far from unique to them that it’s one of the cornerstone premises of Christian theology.

Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestants all agree about this one concept: mankind suffers from original sin, a polluted condition that causes every one of us to do things we shouldn’t do from our birth. Thus, in a very real sense, we might say that we’re all born gay, although historically we’ve preferred the wording that we are all born sinners: a condition that necessitated a Savior but must never be alleged to have been part of God’s intended design.

We may be born gay, but that certainly doesn’t mean it was God who made us that way.

Thought of the Day 06.16.08

As the father of two so far and a believer in big families, I often find myself befuddled by the things I hear other people say about their decision to postpone having children. They refer to lack of money, uncertainty in a career, the desire to have “just us” marriage time, being too busy, or not being “old enough” yet, whatever that means.

But all these excuses are really saying the same thing. “Right now is not a convenient time for us to have children.” I have a simple answer for that. There will never be a convenient time to have children. Children by their very nature are fundamentally inconvenient. They frustrate us. They limit us. They cost us, both in time and money. And they are a constant source of irritation. Everyone knows this, but parents also know that they are totally worth it.

And the one nice thing about having them earlier rather than later is that you get to enjoy them for longer and they get to enjoy you for longer. The cost is the same, the only question is how long you’ll get to experience the reward. And if you are waiting until a convenient time to have children comes along, I can assure you of one simple thing: you will die waiting.

Thought of the Day 06.13.08

If the goal of evangelism is to reach the most people, then converting leaders seems to be the best strategy. In contrast, Jesus deliberately ministered to the most unloved people in society: lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors. Why?

Well, for one thing, a doctor is most needed by the sick, not the healthy. The outcasts need Him the most, which means they are the ones most likely to be open to Him and to express the greatest gratitude to Him for what He offers, whereas “He who is forgiven little, loves little.” But there’s another important reason as well.

Though leaders surely have greater influence, they also are much more heavily invested in all the systems of this world. For them to give up everything and follow Jesus requires massive (and improbable) sacrifice. In contrast, the outcast’s lack of fame, power, and money means that his hands are virtually wide open to receive what Christ has to offer. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Note for those paying close attention: Yes, we know this is the same one as yesterday. =)

Thought of the Day 06.11.08

In an effort to do with my son as my father did with me, I went to Wal-Mart recently to buy him some model airplanes and model rockets, but I was stunned. Not by the price, but by the fact that Wal-Mart didn’t even stock models anymore, and the rockets they had were mostly all pre-made. Obviously I don’t blame them. They’re a business which sells what people buy.

That’s why it made me so sad to think that so few kids these days build models with their dads that the biggest retailer in the world doesn’t even stock them anymore. Their shelves are lined with finished toys that beep and whir, but boys in need of fine-motor-skill development, attention to detail, and (most importantly) the joy of creating something themselves, certainly don’t require more battery operated distractions.

What they need is to learn the value of wasting a few hours constructing something difficult with the patient assistance of their fathers: toys that require imagination both to build and to play with as well.

Thought of the Day 06.10.08

Gratitude and contempt are funny attitudes because they are so infinitely adjustable. For instance, one day last week when I was fasting, a friend came into my office offering me some leftover pizza from his lunch at a nice restaurant. I thanked him and sat there lusting after it briefly before I moved it to a place of safety in the office refrigerator. I would have gladly eaten every last bit of it, but I was fasting.

I brought it home, brought it back to work, home again, and again back to work before finally eating it today. It was delicious, but it didn’t entice me as much when I could choose from any food I desired. So did anything about the pizza change to earn such varied responses from me? Not at all. Only the strength of my desires changed.

And it is certainly useful to be reminded that my life is so luxurious that I can be so fully satisfied with my options as to hold delicious gourmet pizza in contempt. Truly, thank you, Lord, for your bounty. Please help me remain grateful for it all.