No Vaccine for Sin

The Health Department used our facility on Monday to administer the H1N1 flu vaccine. A line formed early that wrapped around half the building. They have 2000 for now and will most likely use them up at days end.

This made me think – What if there were a vaccine for sin? If so, how big would the line be? More specifically, what if there were a vaccine for lying? How many people would really get in line for a vaccine that prevented you from telling a lie at all times? How about a vaccine to ward off lust? How many men would get that vaccine? How many wives would sign their husbands up for it? I would think a divorce vaccine would be pretty good to have, yet I’m sure some would refuse to get it. A gossip vaccine would certainly help prevent many other sin illnesses from spreading, would it not? We could have a vaccine for pride, materialism, selfishness… I think you get my point.

The truth is that sin is a universal malady. Sin is and has been at pandemic status since the Garden of Eden. It is the part of our nature that wants to exalt self, protect self, pleasure self, and all the while ignore God. Not one of us is immune and there is no sin vaccine. We are infected by nature and by choice. The Bible says we all sin (Romans 3:23).

Sin is vile, ugly, odious, malignant, pestilent, pernicious, hideous, spiteful, poisonous, virulent, villainous, and abominable. Sin breaks lives, breaks homes, breaks relationships and breaks hearts. Sin wounds; sin kills. Sin brings about a deadly outcome, when left unattended, results in eternal consequences. Unless… unless we can find someone big enough to do something about it. Jesus is that someone. Jesus is healer of the soul wounded by sin.

Be sure of this: Until you allow Jesus to heal your sinful heart, and give him control of your life, you will find yourself breaking out again and again with the rash of sin that it will only get more powerful over time.

There is no vaccine, but there is a cure.

In His Grip,

Phil

Storms

Storms – they altar the landscape of our lives. But how you stand and how you rebuild your life is not determined by the damage or change in the landscape – it is determined by the strength and integrity of your foundation and the resolve of your faith in Jesus Christ.

We have all seen people and families who are foundationless. Their lives are wholly based on the surface and landscape, and like the foolish builder, they are blown away by the storms of life. This is witnessed most often at funerals where the faithless family vainly attempts to take shelter under rootless trees. Their life is the landscape that so easily crumbles and falls around them.

Not so with the Christian. As a Christ follower, though you may feel your footing start to slip, though tragedy may knock you to your knees, a foundation of faith in God cannot be moved, for God is our Rock, our Fortress, and our Deliverer, and in Him we can put our trust (Ps. 18:2).

We can question and curse the storms. We may even question and curse God. But as mere humans, we do not and cannot fully understand the sovereignty of God. Wouldn’t you like some answers as to when and why and how God intervenes in our lives, or when he doesn’t? James writes that these storms bring about maturity in faith. Yet, there are times we still question the purpose and timing of storms.

This I know, God allows the storms, but he does not and has not abandoned us in those storms. God is with us. He is our lighthouse, our anchor, our hope that is secure, and our comfort.

I can't help but think of Job. Everything was taken from him. I think we can safely say that the landscaping of his life was wiped out. Job even said "Though he slay me, I will hope in Him." Job saw his own life as landscape, but his faith and hope in God rested below the surface; the pylons of his soul were driven deep into the bedrock of faith in God.

So when the thunder sounds, the lightning flashes, and storms of life beat against your life, head to the basement surrounded by the walls of God's love and protection.

Prayer at the Illinois House of Representatives

Thursday (5/7) I gave the Invocation at the General Assembly of the Illinois House of Representatives. I was honored and humbled to be asked by Rep. John Cavaletto (R-107th District).

Here is my prayer:

Father in heaven, may we listen to Your voice and obey.

We are humbled and grateful that on this day, across this great land, thousands are praying – interceding for those in government who lead us, for those in schools who teach us, for those in our military who place their lives on the line to protect us, and for those who serve us and others without fame or fanfare.

Lord, in the midst of political power, I pray that you would grant those in this House the wisdom to sense their human weaknesses, and the humility to acknowledge their dependence on You. May they be examples of Godliness to this Nation.

Forgive us, Lord, for the contradiction in our lives: With our lips we worship You, but our hearts are distant from You. May we understand that repentance of sin and turning to righteousness is the surest way out of our critical situation, for You bless the heart that is humble before You.

Bless these men and women today. As they watch over the affairs of our State, watch over their families.

Let Your Spirit fill these halls.

In His name who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and who is Your Son. Amen.

Stay-at-Home...No regrets.

My wife, Kim, is an intelligent woman. She has the capability of pursuing a doctorate degree and a very profitable career if she so desired. But she elected to stay home with our two boys when they were young. I know that Kim’s decision to stay home with our boys didn’t bother her at all – it was a decision she had made before we even married. It didn’t bother her except when other women would ask, “What do you do?” She would answer, “I’m a homemaker. I stay home and take care of my boys (including my husband).” Some career women would respond with “Oh” and then nearly ignore her, not knowing what to say next. They would act as if Kim’s life was somehow unfulfilled; that she wasn’t living up to her potential. They were far from the truth.

On occasion I would be asked “So, what does your wife do.” Instead of answering with “She’s a stay-at-home mom,” I would occasionally respond with “She’s socializing two Homo-sapiens in Judeo-Christian values so they’ll appropriate the theological values that will make them wealthy beyond what you can imagine. What does your wife do?” They would often look at me with a dazed look in their eyes.

Words cannot express my gratitude to my own mom and now to Kim who chose to be stay-at-home mothers. Our bank account and 401k may not be as large as we would like, we live in a modest home, and made other sacrifices, but we would make the same decision today. No regrets – absolutely none – only blessings – two to be exact.

Thanks Kim, I love you.

In His Grip,
Phil