I finally found something in common with my grandchildren.  One of the 8 year old girls (there are three of them) asked the simple question, “What is a cassette?”  I realized that when I was 8, I didn’t know what a cassette was either.  Of course, when I was 8, it wasn’t invented yet.  Now, that my granddaughters are 8, it’s gone the way of the 8-track.  What’s that?

I recently listened to Steve Hewitt, editor of Christian Computing magazine, give his input on the rapid growth of technology, telling us that the basic personal computer, at least the desk-top/lap-top versions, are on the way out.  Tablets rule the world, but their day in the sun will be even shorter. I’d better get one soon before they are gone. Hang on, change will keep on coming.

But even better, be encouraged with what doesn’t change; or better yet, who doesn’t change – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

…there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb…And they cried out in a loud voice:  “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne , and to the Lamb”  Revelation 7:9, 10 NIV

This passage is a great encouragement as we think about the eternal gathering of God’s people, believers in Jesus Christ from all times and places, a great reunion of God’s family that never ends in the new heaven and new earth.

But how can it be a joyful reunion when I’ve never even met most of these people ever before?  I think I had a taste of what it will be like this past Sunday morning at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Continue reading “No Stranger Among Strangers” →

I noticed the full page spread in the Indianapolis Star on July 4.  Another full page spread took the opposing view. But the paper ended up in our recycling bin before I thought to retrieve those sections.  Apparently, these expensive ads were placed in papers all across America on Independence Day.   What is the issue?  Is the USA a Christian nation or a secular nation? Selective quotes from our founders will “prove” either thesis.

Biblical and Christian moral values were affirmed by most of our founders who saw the value of religion even though many of them weren’t Christians as defined in the New Testament…though many of them were. America’s founding documents and laws were hugely affected by the Bible and most of our founders had no qualms about that.  But it’s also true that Evangelicals have at times over stated the case, not acknowledging the influence of Deism on some of our founders. I’ve enjoyed the writing and videos of David Barton who labors to make the case for a Christian America, but I fear he also participates in the practice of selective quotations and overstates the case.

For a more balanced approach, I commend the recent Break Point commentary by Eric Metaxas, subtitled, The Complicated Truth.

 Following the United States Supreme Court decision this past week to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and to essentially reverse California’s Proposition 8, many are rejoicing that “marriage equality” has been affirmed by the court.  However, like the term “pro-choice”, “marriage equality” obscures the truth rather than expresses it.  Marriage, according to the Bible, is the union of one man and one woman.  No other relationship can ever rightfully be called marriage.

The sexual revolution of the past fifty years has inflicted great pain and sorrow upon millions in the form of broken hearts, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, abandoned children and abandoned husbands and wives.  Now we have the added confusion and distortion of gender identity and unnatural sexual expression.  This societal experiment in sexuality unhinged from God’s created order will result in greater and more widespread sorrow and heartache.

As sinful people who understand the pull of sin and who have experienced Christ’s redeeming and transforming grace, let us live the gospel and “shine like stars” in our “crooked and depraved generation” as we “hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:15).  And let us be intentional about modeling marriage as God defines and orders it – the lifelong union of one man and one woman.

These are days of opportunity for the proclamation of the gospel.  The darker the night, the more brightly the stars shine.  Let’s be joyful, hopeful, faithful ambassadors for King Jesus by living out Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Let’s be who we are – beacons of light inviting people to find refuge in the sin-forgiving, life-transforming gospel of Christ.    Wes Macy

Last Thanksgiving weekend, our entire family was together at our house and my son switched the television  to Duck Dynasty, my first exposure.  It had some humorous bits, and I was curious about the family meal time prayer, but  it seemed a little crude and I wasn’t sure it was the most uplifting show.  And it’s on A&E, not known for wholesome watching.  I saw a few episodes in the next few months, but didn’t give it much thought.  Then, as noted in an earlier post, I was exposed to it twice in three Sundays when Linda and I visited area churches while on a study break.  Willie Robertson was the Father’s Day guest at one of the larger churches in metro Indy.  And DD was featured in the sermon introduction in another large church.  What is this? Continue reading “The Phenomenon of Duck Dynasty” →

(an open letter to some dear friends about their mother, and one of my dearest friends, Anna Ayres, who died on July 3, 2013 at the age of 96 1/2)

Dear Carol, Marilyn, Tim, and all your families,

Getting the word last night after landing in Indianapolis that your mom was celebrating Independence Day a little early, was both a dreaded and a precious announcement. With her decline in health and mental acuity, I couldn’t wish to keep her from the joy of being with Jesus, but it still stirs a lot of memories and emotion of her impact on my life. Continue reading “Anna” →

The Supreme Court of the United States, has now addressed two major cases involving same sex marriage, striking down DOMA, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and refusing to respond to California’s Proposition 8, thus allowing the lower court’s action to stand, in striking it down .

DOMA was signed by Bill Clinton and enthusiastically endorsed by numerous legislators who have now turned against it.  That’s called political expediency, putting your dampened finger to the wind, pretending to have convictions for the sake of votes.  Prop 8 was the surprising action by California voters to return to  traditional understanding of marriage, struck down by California courts as discriminatory. No surprise here, this was expected.  American attitudes have changed, the way people think is not as it once was, no matter how we feel about it.  Same Sex marriage is on the march and has picked up speed.

How should I feel?  Depressed?  Hopeless? Absolutely Not!  In the immediate aftermath of such major decisions, we need to reflect carefully and prayerfully and celebrate that the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope to all.  I’ll have more to say in time.  But for now, I commend to you the excellent post by Russell Moore, dean of Southern Baptist Seminary, How Should Same-Sex marriage Change the Church’s Witness?

I’ve been on a Study Break for the past month, exempt from most of my regular responsibilities, especially meetings, and preparing for an upcoming series of sermons from 1 Corinthians 5-7, Sex in a Broken World.  So, my wife and I have attended a different church every Sunday, most that we’ve never visited before, the exception being the last one, though our previous visit was to the traditional service.

I don’t recommend it as a common practice, looking for the “best show in town.” Continue reading “Confessions of a Church Hopper” →

“Before citing the Bible, be sure to read it first” was the headline in the June 15, 2013 Faith and Values section of the Indianapolis Star.  I agree. But unfortunately, the author didn’t follow her own counsel as she applied a revisionist understanding of the Bible in her defense of same sex marriage. The essential argument was that the Bible is silent, saying nothing about “two loving, committed, consenting adults” in a same sex relationship likened to marriage.  Is the Bible silent?  No, it is not! Continue reading “Before Citing the Bible, Be Sure to Read it First” →