We are staying at the Hilton across from the ballpark
Baseball game on Saturday
Swimming at the Hilton
Friday, April 17, 2009
Meet Me in St. Louis
Its on. May 23 and 24th, 2009. Baseball and fun in St. Louis, MO
We are staying at the Hilton across from the ballpark
Swimming at the Hilton
We are staying at the Hilton across from the ballpark
Swimming at the Hilton
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Separation of Facts & Faith
A quick update to the blog I just posted below. Here are the two opening paragraphs from an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, "Faith, Proof and Relics". It was in the Saturday/Sunday, April 11-12, 2009 edition.
See if you don't notice how the author frames this article about the Shroud of Turin. This is the accepted unchallenged mindset. Whether you believe in the Shroud or not, is not the issue. It is faith which is opposed to reason. The italics are mine.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123940218130209621.html#mod=todays_us_nonsub_weekendjournal
Enjoy
See if you don't notice how the author frames this article about the Shroud of Turin. This is the accepted unchallenged mindset. Whether you believe in the Shroud or not, is not the issue. It is faith which is opposed to reason. The italics are mine.
Below is a link to this article.It really isn't much to look at. Just a stretch of tattered fabric 14 feet long and a little under 4 feet wide, it is yellowed by time, scarred by fire, stained like a tablecloth not worth keeping. Only on closer inspection does there seem to be an image between the burn holes and creases: a man, naked, prepared for the grave.
The Shroud of Turin underscores an essential aspect of religion. Believers suspend their rational processes and undertake an act of faith. Yet the power of holy relics is that they offer the tantalizing possibility of concrete proof of that belief, setting up a battle between reason and devotion.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123940218130209621.html#mod=todays_us_nonsub_weekendjournal
Enjoy
Secularization
Secular - of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.
Secularism - Religious skepticism or indifference. The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education.
Secularization - to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism.
The three definitions above are similar in their fundamental meaning. Secular is an adjective that describes something or some one's view of religion, the sacred or what is spiritual; secularism is a way of thinking that does not include religious thinking in determining truth or in making decisions; and finally secularization is the process of separating (pushing out) the religious from worldly, the spiritual from the unspiritual (some would say practical), your personal belief (your values) from public facts (science).
Our western modern culture is working very hard, and in many ways has succeeded, in pushing our view of God, His word, and His ways to the private and personal and out of the public arena of debate and discussion. Under the guise of pluralism and intolerance it is no longer acceptable to view God as a fact, personally involved in His creation, and redeeming mankind to bring it under His lordship and care.
Many times we have bought into this subtle secularization by thinking that God is concerned about me personally (my salvation & getting to heaven) but He really has little to say in how I work, how I handle my relationships (in the church or out of the church), my money (not just giving to the church), spend my time (not just church activities)... the stuff of life and living. The strategies and tactics we employ to handle the issues of this life many times exclude God and call on our own resources to resolve.
One of the tactics of secularization is to redefine words so that their meaning is untethered from biblical reality and shifts it to the ever changing sway of the public opinion/arena. Some examples include freedom, sin, marriage, Jesus, God, origins of life and creation, and family just to name a few.
Another tactic behind secularization is to see limits as negative and inhibiting. Limitlessness is the (no limits) byword of secularization. Secularization creates an expectation of unlimited freedoms, choices, resources, and opportunities. Anyone or anything that restricts, or holds back or teaches self-restraint or self-discipline is seen as intolerant and keeping you from being all that you can be. Thus institutions like church (with its teachings on sin, the call to a cross carrying lifestyle, and subordination to Jesus as Lord) and family/marriage (with its commitment to covenantal monogamous relationships and subordination of all members within that household) are challenged and redefined. Marketing as a whole creates this discontentment
Secularism - Religious skepticism or indifference. The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education.
Secularization - to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism.
The three definitions above are similar in their fundamental meaning. Secular is an adjective that describes something or some one's view of religion, the sacred or what is spiritual; secularism is a way of thinking that does not include religious thinking in determining truth or in making decisions; and finally secularization is the process of separating (pushing out) the religious from worldly, the spiritual from the unspiritual (some would say practical), your personal belief (your values) from public facts (science).
Our western modern culture is working very hard, and in many ways has succeeded, in pushing our view of God, His word, and His ways to the private and personal and out of the public arena of debate and discussion. Under the guise of pluralism and intolerance it is no longer acceptable to view God as a fact, personally involved in His creation, and redeeming mankind to bring it under His lordship and care.
Many times we have bought into this subtle secularization by thinking that God is concerned about me personally (my salvation & getting to heaven) but He really has little to say in how I work, how I handle my relationships (in the church or out of the church), my money (not just giving to the church), spend my time (not just church activities)... the stuff of life and living. The strategies and tactics we employ to handle the issues of this life many times exclude God and call on our own resources to resolve.
One of the tactics of secularization is to redefine words so that their meaning is untethered from biblical reality and shifts it to the ever changing sway of the public opinion/arena. Some examples include freedom, sin, marriage, Jesus, God, origins of life and creation, and family just to name a few.
Another tactic behind secularization is to see limits as negative and inhibiting. Limitlessness is the (no limits) byword of secularization. Secularization creates an expectation of unlimited freedoms, choices, resources, and opportunities. Anyone or anything that restricts, or holds back or teaches self-restraint or self-discipline is seen as intolerant and keeping you from being all that you can be. Thus institutions like church (with its teachings on sin, the call to a cross carrying lifestyle, and subordination to Jesus as Lord) and family/marriage (with its commitment to covenantal monogamous relationships and subordination of all members within that household) are challenged and redefined. Marketing as a whole creates this discontentment
- Limitlessness when preached within the context of finding happiness, creates an uneasy discontentment and a subtle fear. Both feeding on the idea that had we made a different choice or experienced more we could be happier than we are today.
- Limitlessness when preached does not see God as sovereign, but transfers that sovereignty to us.
- Limitless is a marketing tactic within commercialism. You don't like this product, you don't like how you look, don't like your relationship.... we have something new for you!
- Limitlessness when preached sounds exactly like Satan in the garden (Gen 3:5-6) enticing Adam and Eve with the fact that the limits God had imposed (don't eat from the tree) are really keeping you from being like God. Satan redefined and in the process undermined God's word spoken to Adam and Eve. Satan marketed his product by showing how enticing the fruit was to eat. Listen to these words in Genesis 3:6 "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."
Even as I write it is difficult to see how God designed limitations actually bring a peace and contentment when all that surrounds us is pulling us in a different direction. One wonders how many illnesses are born out of striving for these unrealistic expectations.
My attempt in writing is to not create a rule, but to challenge a thinking, and create a backdrop for discernment within our own culture. Nor am I attempting to create an excuse for not pursuing excellence in life.
Finally I am not casting stones, as I am convicted by the progress of secularization in my own thinking and actions. If anyone needs God's help I am at the front of the line!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
My Dad
Today is my Dad's birthday. I want to take the time to celebrate him on my blog. I do this not just for my sake, but for my boys. You have a good heritage in your grandfather.My last conversations with my dad prior to his unexpected death, were challenging for me and our family. But after his death he came to my in my dreams, (you don't have to believe this if you don't want to, I know it was real) and told me everything was OK. That was a gift from God to me.
I miss my dad and love him. Here is what I wrote......
Dave Tomko
How do you begin to describe a man who has done so many things over the course of his life? People say that we are defined by who we are and not by what we do. Yet much of my Dad’s life is defined by activity. My dad was always active. He didn’t sit still. Movement to him meant progress.
My dad was a starter. He was a visionary person. In many ways he was a pioneer. He saw things that could be done, and worked at making them happen. He never hesitated to act. When the scripture was clear that he should respond in a certain way, he was willing to be called a renegade and rebel to accomplish God’s will. My Dad defined sitting still as sin. Whether it was a church building, a business activity, insight on how the church should live or an orphanage, it didn’t matter. It was full steam ahead; join him or stay out of the way.
Yet, that is not all that Dave Tomko was. He was generous. Giving was the single most important thing to him. His time, money, energy, and home were at your disposal. When he saw a need it was nothing for him to offer money, his home, his appliances, what ever it would take. For him to live with less so that others could live with a little more was fine. I seldom remember times when we didn’t have someone living in our home. We all made room so that Dad could express his generosity. I know if he could - and some times he couldn’t and did it anyway - he would have given the shirt off of his back to anyone who was in need. Many individuals and couples were blessed by his generosity.
Who else was Dave Tomko? My dad had a passion to serve God. There was nothing he would not do to serve and follow Christ. Could you put “saint” next to his name for everything he did? I am not sure. Yet he never flinched in his devotion to follow Christ. Everything he acted on was done out of a desire to obey and please his Father in heaven. To him the pearl in the field was worth having. He was willing to sell everything he had to get it. The spiritual heritage that he passed on to us will be hard to measure. He prayed daily that all his children would have the same passionate desire. I believe God will answer his prayer. Where would many of us be without his input and direction? The example of following Christ will leave a permanent imprint on all of us.
Who else was Dave Tomko? My dad was a salesman. He could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. But his greatest passion was offering those who didn’t know Christ an opportunity to follow Him. My dad loved to see those who didn’t know Christ come in to a relationship with him. He was an evangelist. To him the Good News was everything. He would befriend anyone with the knowledge that some day he would be able to see them become Christ followers. Many of us benefited by his passion. Maybe you rode on the school bus he drove. Maybe you met him while serving him coffee or breakfast. Maybe you rode the train in Japan or met him around a business lunch. Maybe you met him while working with him or while he was pastoring a church. To win men and women to Christ you have to be a salesman. In my dad’s case he was offering something that would affect others for eternity. His passion to see individuals become Christ followers caused him to do anything to accomplish that end. He was relentless, he didn't give up, and it did not matter how other’s perceived him. He was willing to look foolish. Where ever my Dad went people came to Christ. If you are a salesman offering the greatest gift, what else could you do?
But that is not the complete story. Sometimes the image of Christ was blurred by the image of who my Dad was. That image would get mixed up, we didn’t know at times when Christ ended and my Dad began. For some this was difficult to understand and/or accept. We would begin to question Christianity in the light of how it might have been practiced. I wonder if it was hard for my Dad too. Following Christ was so much at the center and periphery of who he was that the practical got lost. But that happens at times to visionaries. They are so far out there, that they forget that dotting the “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” are just as important as getting there. Many times my Dad forgot to dot the “I” and cross the “T” and when he forgot, he would hurt people or leave them hanging. Even those close to him. For my part I forgive him. The spiritual heritage of following Christ and serving him with a passionate devotion far out weighs some “I’s” and “T’s” that might not have been dealt with. Many others have experienced the “I’s” and “T’s” not being addressed when you worked with my Dad. Hopefully you will be able reconcile them before the Lord, that my dad served, and you serve.
Human beings are complex individuals. My dad was no different. His love for God, his desire to see those who didn’t know Christ follow him were important. My dad only did big things. He didn’t serve a small God. When He did things he did them in a big way. If it was following Christ he did it in a big way, when He failed, he did it in a big way. If he was going to have fun, there was only one way to do it, in a big way. I suppose if you wanted to define him at all, nothing my Dad did was done in a small way. The word small was not in his vocabulary.
But I wonder, if he was here now, what he would say to all of us. Wouldn’t he say, Follow Christ! Wouldn’t he say, Give yourself completely to knowing him and then act on what you know; Wouldn’t he say, you serve a big God, who only does big things don’t sell him or yourself short.
For myself, I love my Dad. I expect to see him again. I am grateful for the spiritual heritage he has passed on to me. I am not all of the things my dad was. But I know this; the same passionate devotion to follow Christ is at work in me just as it was at work in him. And if laying up treasure in heaven is real, my dad is enjoying some of that treasure today.
Written October 12, 2003
My dad was a starter. He was a visionary person. In many ways he was a pioneer. He saw things that could be done, and worked at making them happen. He never hesitated to act. When the scripture was clear that he should respond in a certain way, he was willing to be called a renegade and rebel to accomplish God’s will. My Dad defined sitting still as sin. Whether it was a church building, a business activity, insight on how the church should live or an orphanage, it didn’t matter. It was full steam ahead; join him or stay out of the way.
Yet, that is not all that Dave Tomko was. He was generous. Giving was the single most important thing to him. His time, money, energy, and home were at your disposal. When he saw a need it was nothing for him to offer money, his home, his appliances, what ever it would take. For him to live with less so that others could live with a little more was fine. I seldom remember times when we didn’t have someone living in our home. We all made room so that Dad could express his generosity. I know if he could - and some times he couldn’t and did it anyway - he would have given the shirt off of his back to anyone who was in need. Many individuals and couples were blessed by his generosity.
Who else was Dave Tomko? My dad had a passion to serve God. There was nothing he would not do to serve and follow Christ. Could you put “saint” next to his name for everything he did? I am not sure. Yet he never flinched in his devotion to follow Christ. Everything he acted on was done out of a desire to obey and please his Father in heaven. To him the pearl in the field was worth having. He was willing to sell everything he had to get it. The spiritual heritage that he passed on to us will be hard to measure. He prayed daily that all his children would have the same passionate desire. I believe God will answer his prayer. Where would many of us be without his input and direction? The example of following Christ will leave a permanent imprint on all of us.
Who else was Dave Tomko? My dad was a salesman. He could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. But his greatest passion was offering those who didn’t know Christ an opportunity to follow Him. My dad loved to see those who didn’t know Christ come in to a relationship with him. He was an evangelist. To him the Good News was everything. He would befriend anyone with the knowledge that some day he would be able to see them become Christ followers. Many of us benefited by his passion. Maybe you rode on the school bus he drove. Maybe you met him while serving him coffee or breakfast. Maybe you rode the train in Japan or met him around a business lunch. Maybe you met him while working with him or while he was pastoring a church. To win men and women to Christ you have to be a salesman. In my dad’s case he was offering something that would affect others for eternity. His passion to see individuals become Christ followers caused him to do anything to accomplish that end. He was relentless, he didn't give up, and it did not matter how other’s perceived him. He was willing to look foolish. Where ever my Dad went people came to Christ. If you are a salesman offering the greatest gift, what else could you do?
But that is not the complete story. Sometimes the image of Christ was blurred by the image of who my Dad was. That image would get mixed up, we didn’t know at times when Christ ended and my Dad began. For some this was difficult to understand and/or accept. We would begin to question Christianity in the light of how it might have been practiced. I wonder if it was hard for my Dad too. Following Christ was so much at the center and periphery of who he was that the practical got lost. But that happens at times to visionaries. They are so far out there, that they forget that dotting the “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” are just as important as getting there. Many times my Dad forgot to dot the “I” and cross the “T” and when he forgot, he would hurt people or leave them hanging. Even those close to him. For my part I forgive him. The spiritual heritage of following Christ and serving him with a passionate devotion far out weighs some “I’s” and “T’s” that might not have been dealt with. Many others have experienced the “I’s” and “T’s” not being addressed when you worked with my Dad. Hopefully you will be able reconcile them before the Lord, that my dad served, and you serve.
Human beings are complex individuals. My dad was no different. His love for God, his desire to see those who didn’t know Christ follow him were important. My dad only did big things. He didn’t serve a small God. When He did things he did them in a big way. If it was following Christ he did it in a big way, when He failed, he did it in a big way. If he was going to have fun, there was only one way to do it, in a big way. I suppose if you wanted to define him at all, nothing my Dad did was done in a small way. The word small was not in his vocabulary.
But I wonder, if he was here now, what he would say to all of us. Wouldn’t he say, Follow Christ! Wouldn’t he say, Give yourself completely to knowing him and then act on what you know; Wouldn’t he say, you serve a big God, who only does big things don’t sell him or yourself short.
For myself, I love my Dad. I expect to see him again. I am grateful for the spiritual heritage he has passed on to me. I am not all of the things my dad was. But I know this; the same passionate devotion to follow Christ is at work in me just as it was at work in him. And if laying up treasure in heaven is real, my dad is enjoying some of that treasure today.
Written October 12, 2003
Sunday, April 5, 2009
He Who Has an Ear to Hear
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
I read this passage in my quiet time a couple of days ago. I remember hearing and reading about this story in Sunday School when I was younger. Peter is probably glad he wasn't good at using a sword. When Luke tells this story he also mentions that Jesus healed this man's ear. As I was thinking about this passage this thought struck me:
Just my thoughts.
I read this passage in my quiet time a couple of days ago. I remember hearing and reading about this story in Sunday School when I was younger. Peter is probably glad he wasn't good at using a sword. When Luke tells this story he also mentions that Jesus healed this man's ear. As I was thinking about this passage this thought struck me:
When the church uses the sword to communicate its message or further its agenda it ends up deafening those who were meant to hear its message.
Just my thoughts.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Wisdom
Here is a great quote and a link to good article on wisdom entitled, Wisdom, The Interval Between the Notes.
To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
http://foundationsmag.com/wisdom2.html
To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
http://foundationsmag.com/wisdom2.html
Why this Blog?
I started this blog primarily for my sons, their families, and of course my grandchildren (notice this in the plural!). I thought this would be another way to share my thoughts on what is important to me. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a father and have a family. When I met my wife, Gail, the first thing that I remember in our conversations (it was a cold blizzardy night at the big house with our church's youth group, I know she remembers) was that she loved kids and family. She grew up in a great & large catholic family so she understood family life. To be honest with you, it was at this point that I knew I was probably going to marry her.
The older I have gotten (and you can't help but get older) the more that I see that family is at the heart of who God is. His self-revelation to us is Father & Son - Eternal descriptions of who they are and the nature of their relationship. That revelation is the DNA was woven into us in creation and reestablished afresh in the new birth. Unfortunately sin and Satan have distorted the nature and purpose of family and we have allowed our definition of family to be determined from the bottom up (our experiences and what how this world has and is redefining family) instead of from the revelation of the Father & Son found in God's word. We need God's help to not only navigate against this current, but actually swim in a different current all together.
I have thee boys, Rob, Stephen, Eric. A father could not ask for better sons. One thing I pray for them regularly is that they would be seekers of Christ.
Paul said in Philippians 3:10, "that I may know Him.....",
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "seek first the kingdom of God....."
Hopefully this will be the focus of their lives, that they may know Him and seek first His kingdom.
The older I have gotten (and you can't help but get older) the more that I see that family is at the heart of who God is. His self-revelation to us is Father & Son - Eternal descriptions of who they are and the nature of their relationship. That revelation is the DNA was woven into us in creation and reestablished afresh in the new birth. Unfortunately sin and Satan have distorted the nature and purpose of family and we have allowed our definition of family to be determined from the bottom up (our experiences and what how this world has and is redefining family) instead of from the revelation of the Father & Son found in God's word. We need God's help to not only navigate against this current, but actually swim in a different current all together.
I have thee boys, Rob, Stephen, Eric. A father could not ask for better sons. One thing I pray for them regularly is that they would be seekers of Christ.
Paul said in Philippians 3:10, "that I may know Him.....",
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "seek first the kingdom of God....."
Hopefully this will be the focus of their lives, that they may know Him and seek first His kingdom.
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