Show Me!!!

    Last Saturday Steph and I watched Crazy Stupid Love with my parents. I must say, a pretty good movie with some great principles. Unfortunately, I've taken Dr. Ron Johnson Jr.'s Christian Worldview class at Living Stones College and now everything has been ruined for me. Now with every movie, TV show, commercial and billboard I see I pick apart the principles and philosophy behind it. Well, there's a specific scene in this movie that has been on my mind and the principle that is coupled with it. In the movie, Steve Carell, Cal in the movie, and his wife are separated and his 13 year old son, Robbie, is over for the weekend. They are playing catch when he tells his dad he's giving up on chasing his soul mate. After Cal encourages him to never give up, keep chasing, don't take no for an answer, Robbie calls out his dad and says something mind blowing. "I need some inspiration dad." He's looking at his dad who has given up on his soul mate and marriage, and basically tells, "How can I when you won't? SHOW ME HOW!!!!!"
    I believe this is the cry of every kid.. Boys are looking to their dads saying, "Show me how to be a man, show me how to chase my bride, show me how to be pure, just show me." Girls are saying, "Show me I'm beautiful, show me I'm worth waiting for, show me how to chase my dreams." For too long the "do as I say not as I do" slogan has ruled households as parents hold a double standard. Children are confused as they are told to do one thing, and see the complete opposite.
    I'm a firm believer that the best coaches are ones that have played the sport prior. It was easy for me learn how to block a curve ball behind the plate because my dad would crouch down, slide in front of it and use his body to knock it down. He had done it a hundred times before himself. After that, it seemed easy, all I had to do was mimic my dad. Children are watching and listening to their parents, even when we think they aren't, to see how to be a man or woman. I know every parent wants their children to be better than they are and were, but how can they when they're filling the potholes of the road their parents were supposed to pave for them. The end of the parents road should be the beginning of the child's, their ceiling the children's floor. In order for this to happen, the parents must begin to act in a way that models a life they want their children to live. To raise children of integrity, character and passion we must first become parents of integrity, character and passion.

Penn State, Moral Obligation?

    Recently there have been some terrible accusations that came up within the Penn State University football organization. And unless you are completely separated from recent news you know what happened, and it doesn't need to be repeated (if you don't know, Google it). I listen to a lot of ESPN radio, and all week I've heard different analysts making statements about morality. Of the coach who did the acts, he's been called immoral, evil, sick, and "needing to pay for what's been done." Of the coach who caught the man in the act, analysts say he had a moral responsibility to report it, or he has a moral obligation. Basically, all week I've heard reporter after reporter make claims to a moral code to which this debacle violates.
    So the questions now arise, to whom do we have this obligation? What is the basis of this "moral code?" Where do we get this "moral code?" Why and to whom are we "morally responsible?" The popular view of our nation today, and almost seems to be the theme of pop culture, is relativism. Basically, relativism states that what's true for you is true for you, and what's true for me is true for me, and don't impose on my "truth." This worldview poses a major problem with this controversy. If, as relativism states, whats true for Coach Sandusky is true for him, then who are we to say it was wrong? And in what way were Coach Paterno and Coach McQueary morally responsible? What they did they perceive as truth, so who then has any pole to say it was wrong? That's the major problem with the relativism worldview (which is summed up in the infamous bumper sticker "Coexist"). There must be a universal standard of truth. If not, one's truth would contradict another's and then we would have no way to define good or evil, or what's wrong and what's right. The fact that so many people were equally outraged and innately wanting justice points us to a moral code that is written on our hearts. This code that cries out for justice for those who cannot protect themsleves must cause us to seek out the Author of this code.
Where do we look and from whom can a code of morality come from? The only logical answer points us to a Being that is perfect. To write such a code requires the Author to follow the laws of this code. And a code that calls for justice would then bring us to an ultimate conclusion of a judgement day which everyone would be held accountable to the Author, and inherently the Judge. Obviously, this points our conclusion to he author being the Creator of the universe, GOD.
    I hope this blog makes you think and not succumb to the ever popular retivistic philosophy that for centuries has contradicted itself. When someone tells you, "that's ok for you, but not for me", remember the implications of this statement and challege the status quo.

"It would have sufficed..."

   I started reading a book called A Passover Haggadah by Elie Wiesel. Even though, because of my last name, everyone I meet thinks I'm Jewish, that's not why I'm reading the book. As a Christian, our roots come from Judaism. Over the past year or so I've been researching and studying different aspects of the Hebrew culture, as everything in Judaism points to Messiah, this has been giving me a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and the foundation of our beliefs. So this book is giving me a deeper understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection as the fulfillment of the Passover feast. As far as I know, I'm not Jewish, just grafted in. ;)
   Anyhow, as I'm reading the Passover traditions and commentaries by Wiesel, I came to a prayer recited during the feast. The prayer is called Dayenu, which means 'it would have sufficed', here it is:
  How thankful and grateful must we be to GOD for all the marvelous things He did for us.
  Had He delivered us from Egypt and not punished the Egyptians, it would have sufficed.
  Had He punished the Egyptians and not destroyed their idols, it would have sufficed.
  Had He destroyed their idols and not slain their firstborn, it would have sufficed.
  Had He slain their firstborn and not given us their fortunes, it would have sufficed.
  Had He given us their fortunes and not parted the sea for us, it would have sufficed.
  Had He parted the sea for us and not brought us through the sea on dry land, it would have sufficed.
  Had He brought us through the sea on dry land and not drowned our oppressors in the sea, it would have sufficed.
  Had He drowned our oppressors in the sea and not helped us for forty years in the desert, it would have sufficed.
  Had He helped us for forty years in the desert and not fed us manna, it would have sufficed.
  Had He fed us manna and not given us the Sabbath, it would have sufficed.
  Had He given us the Sabbath and not brought us to Mount Sinai, it would have sufficed.
  Had He brought us to Mount Sinai and not given us the Torah, it would have sufficed.
  Had He given us the Torah and not brought us into the land of Israel, it would have sufficed.
  Had He brought us into the land of Israel and not built for us the Temple, the Holy Temple, it would still have sufficed.
  GOD not only brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, but through a series of events and promises made them the most glorious and wealthy nation of people on earth. Most people don't know this, but GOD's promises hold true that Israel would be a wealthy nation, Jewish peoples make up 3% of the world's population, but own over 40% of the world's wealth. Pretty incredible huh?!?
  When I read this prayer I fell in love with it and Jesus all over again. I began to think about my testimony, where I've been, where I've come from and what GOD has brought me out of. As I meditated on this prayer, gratefulness and humility began to overwhelm me. It would have sufficed if Jesus were to only give me forgiveness of my sins. Had He brought me out of my personal Egypt of depression, addiction, lust and anger, it would have sufficed. Had He given me a job that provided for me needs, it would have sufficed. Had He given me these and not a smoking hot wife (but I'm thankful He did), it would have sufficed.  How beautiful, awesome, loving and generous our GOD is!!!
  If we just read this as just another Passover, Jewish prayer we're missing it. This prayer has been recited for thousands of generations, even before Jesus death and resurrection. It pointed us towards GOD as our helper, deliverer and provider and to be thankful that He chose to release His grace. I believe it was meant to continue reciting during our Judeo-Christian Easter to keep us humble and thankful. Wiesel comments after the prayer, "A Jew defines himself by his capacity of gratitude." How thankful we should continually be for Jesus death and resurrection, that His grace was poured out so we could experience the best life.
  What was your personal Egypt? What kept you in bondage and misery? Maybe you feel like you're still there, like there's things in your life that are a "slave driver" over you. Jesus came to take you out of your personal Egypt, to give you rest, give you the peace you've been searching for, and prosper you. Let Him have your life today, follow Him and watch how He'll give you the needs and desires of your heart. As Pastor Lonny would say and Alissa Meyer would sing, HE GIVES THE BEST LIFE.
 

"Let's Go Get a Hot Dog"

    That was a phrase I loved to hear as a kid. I'd be at my grandparents playing games or watching TV and my grandpa would say, "let's go get a hot dog". As a 10 year old it seemed like he knew every place that sold a hot dog in Northwest Indiana, and who had the best. We would drive around Hobart, all over Gary, and sometimes even out to Griffith. It was during those times I developed a love for hot dogs, and we developed a relationship that I cherished. My grandpa was my best friend. He fathered and taught me some of the greatest life lessons I still hold on to today.
    My grandpa passed away 11 years ago this October and the greatest lesson came after he passed, leave a legacy. He passed away during my senior year in high school in October 2000. A couple days after we had his wake and funeral at Rees Funeral Home in Hobart. I remember standing with my Grandma during the wake greeting those who came to pay their respects. As I stood there, the line of people kept coming, stretching down into the seating area and around the corner. I didn't know how long it stretched around the corner, but I saw hundreds of faces that day. I'll never forget one particular woman. She gave my grandma a hug, was introduced to me and my brother as we stood there, and left. I asked my grandma, "who was that?" She replied, "our mail lady." I couldn't believe it! My grandpa had such an impact on their mail carrier that she took time out of her schedule to come to his wake. All day it was like that, mail carriers, family, people he coached, fellow volunteers at the hospital, former coworkers, members of our church, family friends, and friends of his children and grandchildren. At one point I stepped away to go to the bathroom, not knowing how difficult it would be. As I walked around the corner the line went down the hall and out the door. WOW?!? So many people. As I walked down the line I was overwhelmed with hugs, words of encouragement, and condolences. I just wanted to go pee, now I felt like I was a greeter at Joel Osteen's church. On that October day from 2-7, waves and waves of people flooded Rees Funeral Home in Hobart, IN. Some waited an hour and a half to honor this man. At 17 I didn't think of it too much, but as I've lost a few more hairs, it echos in my mind more frequently, "Leave a legacy. Leave a legacy. Leave a legacy."
    Donald Herman Rosenbaum spent a over 70 years on this planet. In that time he directly and indirectly touch hundreds of people so much that they were moved to honor him at his wake and funeral. He loved and stayed faithful to one wife for 50 years; raised four boys to men. Those men have all married and given him nine grandchildren, and now four great grandchildren in the last three years. His love, teaching and discipline affected many lives that will carry on his legacy for decades, and hopefully centuries.

    Jesus' legacy is still affecting millions of people 2,000 years after his death, and he has called us to do the same. Recently I've been continually asking myself, what am I doing to leave a legacy? Am I just floating through life, or am I making a difference and a splash? Am I affecting those around me, or am I letting them affect me? Jesus called us as Christians to be difference makers. We've been called to make disciples and raise children that will carry on His way of living the best life. So I leave you today with a challenge, a question to meditate. Are we impacting anyone that will carry on our legacy? If we don't see our temple completely built as David didn't, are we raising a Solomon that will? Everyday our decisions will impact our children, our children's children, and so on. The next generation is longing for fathers that leave a legacy and inheritance to their children. Are you going to leave a legacy?