Am I Learning Impaired?

Sometimes I think I must have a spiritual learning disability—that I am unable to receive, process, and store truth. This happens more often than I’d like to admit. This last February, when I first spoke of my cancer, I confessed my greatest fear was not learning all that God wanted to teach me through this trial: a great loss if divine discipline did not result in righteous revelation. 

My inability to remember and respond has been evidenced through my impatience and petulance instead of faith and firmness.  I asked myself, “Am I learning impaired”?  Well, after a little biblical study, I’ve concluded that spiritual learning disabilities are universal. God continually told the Hebrews not to forget what they had learned (Deut. 4:9, 23; 6:12; 8:11). Solomon wrote, “My son, do not forget my teaching” (Prov. 3:2). Paul told Timothy to remind the believers of the things they had learned (2 Tim 2:14). Peter told his readers he would always be ready to remind them of the things they had learned (1 Pet 1:12).

Did they all have learning disabilities? No, they were just people just like us whose capacity for forgetting was greater than for remembering. No wonder Paul tells Timothy, “continue in the things you have learned” (2 Tim. 3:14).  Let us pray for each other that we won't forget to remember what we've learned.

Did Peter's Net Break?

I’ve not written much this month because Altha and I have been busy moving in to our new home in San Jose, and doing the many things necessary to get settled. And of course these many things were not accomplished without a certain amount of stress.  My days have been full.

The other day I was thinking about the time (right after Peter’s denial) that he and the Disciples went fishing. After a night of catching nothing, a stranger shouted from the shore to cast their net on the other side of the boat; and immediately the net was filled—you might say, to the breaking point. (Did it break?) That’s when Peter knew the ‘stranger’ was Jesus.  It seems this event was perfectly timed to remind Peter of what Jesus had promised 3 years earlier: a “full-net” fishers-of-men ministry.

Even so, I knew that when I joined my Father’s “fishing” business, I could expect a full net (Col. 2:10).  But honestly, there have been times in the last few months when I thought it would break. But I also know He will never give more than I can hold (1 Cor. 10:13); He won't break me (Is. 42:3). That's why I can answer my own question, No, Peter's net did not break that day (and neither will yours or mine).

Is Same-sex Marriage to be the Law of the Land?

Yesterday, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which heretofore prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Presently, thirteen states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington), the District of Columbia and five Native American tribes have legalized same-sex marriage.

In light of our high court's decision, listen to the  strangely appropriate commentary by Isaiah at such a time as this. 

"Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and uprightness cannot enter" (Isaiah 59:14).

Be Careful What You Hear

Many times Jesus said to His followers, “You have heard it said… but I say to you...” He was intent on correcting their misunderstanding of the heart of the Law, and thus, the Father's heart. As a teacher, I know people “hear” things differently, sometimes hearing things I didn't even say! No doubt Jesus was aware of this “I-thought-I-heard-you-say” phenomenon, because He often said, “Let him who has ears to hear, hear...”

Allen Greenspan eloquently captured the essence of this hearing problem: “I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” So, Paul says, “For this reason, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard” (Heb. 2:3). Even as Jesus warned against those who have ears but fail to hear, and worse, cannot remember what they heard (Mark 8:18).

There is a spiritual principle that asserts ‘you cannot live beyond your vision’—we are limited by what we see. The same goes for hearing. Jesus said, “Be careful what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more”  (Mark 4:24, NIV, NLT).  Did you know that Charles Stanley always draws emphasis to his important points by saying, "Now listen up."

The Prophetic Destruction of Damascus

Last month Israel made a preemptive strike against Damascus in order to keep Syrian missiles and chemical weapons out of the hands of two opposition groups: Hezbollah and al-Qaeda, both bent on the destruction of Israel. 

Risking international censure, Israel took action because Syria has the third largest chemical weapons stockpile in the world and 100,000 missiles. And if and when Assad falls, either Hezbollah or al Qaeda will gain possession of them. Even now, if Assad survives, he has vowed retaliation if Israel strikes again.  And since Tel Aviv is within reach, Israel’s response will need to be massive, if not total.

The prophet Isaiah predicted Damascus would be laid waste and never again inhabited (Isaiah 17). Many biblical scholars of eschatology believe that since Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, and has never been destroyed, Isaiah's prophecy remains to be fulfilled. And you and I may be witnesses to this event, another sign of the times.

Is Rob Bell part of the Great Apostasy?

Emerging Church leader Rob Bell has authored another controversial book, “What We Talk about When We Talk about God.” The gist of his new book?  Old doctrines (aka, Scriptures) are getting in the way of truly experiencing God.  Bell argues that the traditional view of God is like a 4-door Delta 88 Oldsmobile.  It may have been an awesome, cutting edge car in the day, but now seems hopelessly stuck in the past.  In all fairness to him, Rob Bell says he wants to awaken a new generation of believers to experience God.

Some will ask what’s wrong with encouraging people to experience God. Consider this: 'experiences' with God by Mary Baker Eddy and Joseph Smith gave birth to Christian Science and Mormonism. If you believe 'experience is the best teacher,' think again.

Before Christ returns, there will be a great apostasy (2 Thess. 2:3). People won't appear to be rejecting Christ; in fact, they will call themselves Christians, and have great experiences “in His name” (Matt. 7:23). But they will reject sound doctrine in favor of feel-good teachings (2 Tim 4:3).