When No One Was Looking

Integrity has been defined as “who you are when no one is looking.” Often, we use that definition to talk about avoiding sin just because you are alone. The common follow-up line is to remind people that we are never truly alone, because God is always present and sees everything.

There are two sides to this, though. It’s not just what you avoid doing, it is what you actually do.

Many people are doing amazing things when no one is really looking. They are people of integrity because they realize that they are always in the view of God and they want to redeem every moment, even the quiet and solitary moments, for the Lord. They want to glorify the Lord and shine His light even if they stand alone.

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Today’s post is a tribute to you.

When no one was looking, you went to THAT website. You know the one. You were all alone and you stayed on it for a long time while everyone else slept. In that moment, you graded those tests from World Bible School and emailed your students.

When no one was looking, you sent THAT text message. Everyone else’s eyes were fixated on the television, so you quietly slipped your phone into your hand and sent that short message. It was the one where you told your child’s Bible school teacher “Thank you.”

When no one was looking, you went into THAT store. Not a lot of people go there, but you parked around on the side and walked in. When you came out, you had ordered the flowers for that lady who was now a widow, so that she would have a pretty arrangement at her beloved’s funeral.

When no one was looking, you typed out THAT email. It was on that “other” email account…the one very few people know about. You edited it because you wanted to be sure it said just what would work. Then you hit “send,” and a missionary received your private donation to help with the work.

When no one was looking, you crept into THAT place. You weren’t sure you should be there, but you went anyway. After a few minutes, you felt okay with it, because that prisoner now had someone he could talk to about his soul.

When no one was looking, you wrote THAT Facebook message. It was the one to your old flame in high school, whom you haven’t seen in years. While you were nervous, you sent it anyway, apologizing for not talking about the most important thing–Jesus–when you were dating in high school.

When no one was looking, you proved your integrity.

Keep it up, because Someone is looking.

QUESTION: What is something that someone has done to help you when “no one” was looking?

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Photo credit: Juventina on Creative Commons

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Yes, I Am Narrow-Minded

In the age of tolerance, the worst thing you can be is intolerant. Open-mindedness and acceptance are the buzzwords of our time, and the one thing you do not want to be is unaccepting of others. In American life in 2013, you don’t want to be considered narrow-minded.

But here’s what is interesting: everyone is narrow minded.

Yes, everyone.

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How do I know that? Because if you call the actions of any person wrong, sinful, or questionable, you are immediately labeled as narrow minded and are shunned.

Interesting. How could open-minded people shun anyone?

Isn’t that narrow-minded?

In the broader Christian world, this mindset has taken hold and is now bearing its fruit. “Can’t we all just get along” and “We’re all going to the same place anyway” are statements that are repeated to the point of sounding cliche. Of course, it goes back to the days of “Worship at the church of your choice” and “We’re just taking different paths, but we love Jesus.”

When NBA player Jason Collins recently made the public announcement that he was gay, he said something very interesting. He stated in his interview with Sports Illustrated:

I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding.

At first, when I read those words I was angry. As I have reflected on them, however, I have to admit that I was at least somewhat thankful. I wasn’t thankful that Collins tried to use the Bible to justify the sinful lifestyle he is in. Instead, I am grateful that Collins admitted that he was emphasizing certain teachings, to the exclusion of others. At least there was a level of honesty there that others will not admit to.

This same Jesus–who did preach forgiveness and acceptance–also said:

“I am the way…and no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Not too open-minded there.

“Except you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Didn’t Jesus know that “sin” is an unacceptable and intolerant word?

“Everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). But that’s our personal life. Jesus can’t possibly dare to talk about what I do in my own home, right?

We could go on, but these are enough to remind us that Jesus really did set a standard to be followed. The same Jesus who did preach forgiveness also taught that we need forgiveness because we sin often.

So, yes, I am narrow minded. I believe that I must follow the directives of Jesus on every matter–from worship to sexuality to marriage to attitude–or I will be lost.

Oh, and I know that Jesus was narrow minded, because He also said, “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).

Let’s follow His standard. Let’s be willing to forgive (because we need forgiveness). Let’s be helpful to those who sin, while never accepting sinful behavior as okay with our Lord.

Let’s be narrow-minded.

QUESTION: Why is being narrow-minded the ultimate negative in our society?

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Photo credit: Elliot Brown on Creative Commons

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Kermit Gosnell’s Case Was Not about Abortion?

The trial has been over for a few days, and yesterday the jury in Philadelphia convicted abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell on three counts of first degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter. Due to the multiple first degree murder convictions, lawyers are considering seeking the death penalty.

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For some time, there was an outcry over how little attention the national media was giving this case. The details of the case were awful, and I am not going to reprint the details here (save one subtle reference later in the article), except to remind us that this man was allowing babies to be born, and then was killing them. The media, at first, claimed these sickening details as the reason the case was not being discussed. In due time, though, they could not keep from talking about the Gosnell case.

Time magazine, however, wants its readership to know that one of the “takeaways” from the case is this: “This was not a case about the morality of legal, late-term abortion.” The authors of this article go on to give this reasoning:

Gosnell’s trial was about illegal abortion and homicide. The methods Gosnell used to end the lives of the babies cited in the case against him—including snipping their necks with scissors after they were outside the womb—are medically indefensible by any measure, in any case. Prochoice advocates did not defend Gosnell or argue that the gruesome practices in his clinic were part of the sad, but real, world of legal abortion in the U.S. On the contrary, many abortion rights activists long ago called for Gosnell to be convicted of murder.

Not too surprisingly, this was the very first “takeaway” in the article. Is it any wonder why?

Those who would write these words are very sharp. They are trying to point out the awful way in which Gosnell murdered these babies. Notice, again, that the authors willingly use the word “babies,” since these were live births.

But are we really supposed to buy their pro-abortion statement that there is no connection between what Kermit Gosnell was doing and late-term abortion? Really?

Let’s see…

There is no connection since these babies were “just fetuses” a few seconds earlier?

There is no connection since some of these same instruments could be placed inside the mother to abort the child?

There is no connection in the few inches the baby traveled to be born?

There is no connection when the mother is most likely still in the room, or at least still in the building?

There is no connection since the same doctor is performing legal abortions in one room and these illegal acts in another?

There is no connection since the umbilical cord is cut instead of the spinal cord?

Really Time? You think we are that ignorant?

Kermit Gosnell’s case was a rarity, I have no doubt. But to make the claim that it had nothing to do with abortion is nothing short of irresponsible journalism and editorializing.

Why?

Because if it had nothing to do with abortion, Time magazine, why did you bring it up?

QUESTION: What are your reactions to the Kermit Gosnell case and how it was handled in the media? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo credit: Keith Burtis on Creative Commons

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Review: “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”

An updated edition of Joshua Harris’s most well-known book, this volume was one I was quite surprised to be available for free for review, so I jumped at the chance to get it.

The volume takes a look at how most people in our culture think of dating, and basically puts that mindset over against Biblical principles of wisdom and purity. Harris is very straightforward with his comparisons, but not so blunt that he does not allow the reader to think for himself.

The book talks about how we are always trying to get boys and girls to “couple up,” but how they often are not ready for such levels of intimacy–both physical and emotional–before they are married. Many young people, even in the Christian world, have been brought up thinking they have to go from one relationship to another, but Harris challenges that thinking by simply asking how that is preparing them for a lifelong marital relationship.

Further, when young people (or even young adults) are involved with another person, the attraction can almost become obsessive. We like to think of that as love, but it could be something that is not love at all. Harris is simply challenging us to think about this almost compulsive behavior when we are not married.

I found this book to be challenging, and one that I plan to keep “at the ready” not only for when my children are old enough to think about dating, but for sermons and classes about parenting and for young people, as well. Harris is open and honest about both his strengths and his weaknesses, and the book is highly readable. I very strongly recommend it.

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Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book from Water Brook / Multnomah in exchange for this review. I am not required to give a positive review in exchange for the book.

24:15 Publications Announces a New Title: “Building a Hero”

At the end of almost every post we send out, we have a banner for our publishing company, 24:15 Publications. These are self-published books that we are glad to be able to produce for you to enjoy, and we do our best to provide them at a very low cost.

Today, we are pleased to announce our newest book, Building a Hero. In reality, this is also our oldest book.

Huh?

You see, many years ago, I wrote this book about Nehemiah and printed it for my own use. Since starting 24:15 Publications, I have wanted to bring this title under the “house” of our new company, and now we have done that. With this new book, we now have 5 titles available from 24:15 Publications.

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Building a Hero is a 13 chapter book about Nehemiah, taking one of the Biblical chapters per chapter of study. The book is designed for Junior and Senior High, and each chapter ends with questions for personal reflection and/or class discussion.

We are proud to be able to offer this book for only $6.50 per copy, but if you need to order in bulk for classroom use, contact us and we will help you out with the price.

To get to know more about this book, or to order a copy for yourself, click here.

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