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There already are and will continue to be many on the political spectrum that speak to the meaning behind the leaked documents, but what is the church position on the potential decision of overturning Roe v Wade? Let me address this in three interlinked but independent thoughts.

First, the issue of killing children is not a new issue. We see the nation of Israel offering their children on the altar of Molech. God’s response to this can be found in Jeremiah 7:30-31 30 “For the sons of Judah have done evil in my sight, declares the Lord. They have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. 31 And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.” So the evil of killing children at an altar is not a new evil. It is one that has roots in the diminishing of the value of those created in the image of God, therefore we would offer that the slaughter of children is an outcropping of worshipping evil. The altar and what we call it shifts. Todays evil is committed on the altar of self or “choice.” This is a feeble but effective attempt to disguise the brutality of the actions committed to a child as an acceptable practice. This is where politics intervenes in theology. In order to have individuals beholden to political masters, it is first important to get them to deny their commitment to God and His design. Therefore, the wholesale killing of children is an expedient means to accomplish this. First by denying the reality of life and second by exalting the self above God in determining what value life has. By appealing to the sinful nature of humanity, those who desire to gather a base of people to establish an assault upon God and His values, will draw those who hold little value in God’s design. At the same time they will rely on the apathy of others who will spend little time investigating the matter to form informed decisions.

The second thought on this matter is how little those who advance a philosophy of killing children care about women, though it is offered as a women’s rights issue. An easy understanding of this is the simple statistics that approximately 50% children killed are girls. This issue alone is problematic for the desire to offer children up on the altar of self as a women's rights issue. However, there is a much greater issue at hand. There is a constant drum beat that we hear culturally that there are no differences between women and men and that women can do whatever men can do. One, this is scientifically (biologically) false, but two, why is this the measuring rod used to establish the value of women? Consider the uniqueness of women in God’s design and the beauty that is manifest in this. Why would women want to deny this and be more like men? Upon conception, women can grow a completely separate human being that bears the image of God in their wombs. Then, miraculously, they can deliver this child into the world. And again, with God’s design, they are equipped to feed this child from their own bodies. Why is this not something we hold greater value in within our culture? Why are women belittled as by a former president who stated he doesn’t want his daughters “to be punished with a baby.” This mindset serves what was addressed above, children hold little value and are a punishment, while at the same time demeaning the value of a tremendously blessed design given to women by God. Let me state this portion plainly and directly to women, you were not designed to be men. Embrace God’s design for you.

The final thought on this topic is less about the murdering of children and more on the thoughts of the divisive nature of our current cultural climate. It will be noted repeatedly that the leak that occurred last night of this document is unprecedented. In the church we are given fairly explicit instructions on what we do with division: “10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned (Titus 3:10-11)” There is a reason for the rules and protocols established in the church as well as within political structures. One of these within the political structures is to protect the citizens. There is more than likely a high intentionality behind this divisive act designed to alter the potential outcome an stir up those who would seek to continue with their denial of women’s value and God’s design. As Christians with dual citizenship being US citizens and Citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, we ought to expect this division to be dealt with. Further, we should not blindly accept this division as status quo for the operations of the governing structures.

I will close my thoughts with this Christian, continue to pray, continue to love God, and continue to love others. Regardless of what the culture says, we know eternal hope comes through Christ alone. This hope we take into the world. While the killing of children is not new, neither is our mission to make disciples. The hope of Christ changes hearts, minds, and eternal destination.

Blessings,

Pastor Steve

I was scrolling through the news feed and finding myself engaging in a lot of thinking about my opinions on various political issues: Immigration, abortion, economy, role of parents in a child’s schooling, gender, marriage…Then I came to the conclusion, most of these are not political issues at all, they are Biblical issues.

As Christians we have heard the trope rolled out frequently regarding the separation of church and state. It is often used with the intention of keeping a Biblical worldview out of the marketplace. Most of us know that was never the intention behind the statement Thomas Jefferson made. It was really built around protecting the church from the state. But why would people so vehemently want the church out of todays cultural and political issues? I believe the answer is fairly easy. They aren’t political issues at all, they are Biblical issues.

Take for example the murdering of children in the womb. That by no means is a political issue (heck, even the Satanists have finally said what we’ve known all along, it’s a part of their worship). The life of a child belongs to God…in fact, your life belongs to God. The excuse that a child in the womb is a clump of cells can be stated the same for adults outside of the womb…you are a clump of cells too. However, if I choose to tear you apart, burn you alive in a chemical bath, or plunge a knife into the base of your skull I’d be called a murderer. God is the author and perfecter of life…this is not a political issue this is a Biblical issue…then why are politicians involved at all?

Another example torn from todays culture wars, gender. I really never thought I’d be alive in a time when a large number of normal thinking Americans and even Christians don’t understand basic biology. Biology simply recognizes what is, and what is it that is? God’s design. It is not a feeling, fluidity, or identification based on what I want to believe...it simply is what God designed it to be. God designed man and woman, he designed them to go together…that’s the entirety of the creation regarding Adam and Eve. Jesus doubles down on this in Matthew 19:4-6 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” In this section we get a two for the price of one deal on todays so-called political issues. Jesus also gives us the understanding of marriage. God is the designer of man and of marriage… this is not a political issue this is a Biblical issue…then why are politicians involved at all?

So, if we carry this out then we must acknowledge that a lot of the issues we have culturally today have little to do with politics and a lot to do with the Bible. For the disciple of Christ what do we do? Easy, we uphold Biblical values. Don’t be intimidated or shouted down. The issues we face are a rejection of God and who He is…call it out. Jesus speaks on this too as he calls out politically motivated leaders in his time: John 8:39-41; 43-45 ” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did…” “43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”

In honor of our women heading out to their retreat this week I thought I'd do a quick note of reflection on where we can find the true value of women.

If you have been following the news you may know that Texas’ ban on abortions after a heartbeat is detected was upheld by the Supreme Court. You will also know this was met with a tremendous amount of anger and calls for the right to end the life of a child in the womb. I have had concerns regarding the messaging surrounding abortion for several decades. The messaging seems to imply a value on women that diminishes their value that God has already instilled in them. Don’t get me wrong, if people don’t want to have children (I think you have a very hard time squaring that with Scripture) then they have opportunities and means to protect yourself from reproducing. The argument of concern that consistently seems to be leveled is the need for women to rid themselves of the burden of a child because she can be of greater value without one. While this is not a direct statement it is clear in much of the messaging I hear. Essentially the worldly view of how to make women valuable is to make them more like men. The problem is that this denies women of the inherent value God created them with. At Crossroads we hold a very complementarian role for women in the church. What this means is that women are equal to men in value, and with that both parts work in conjunction. It further honors the role of both men and women in their capacity to how God has designed them. It is within this design that we can fulfill the purpose of Christ and impact the world. It does not seek to make women fulfill the role of men and vice versa. It honors both as created in the image of God and equal in value.

This is not necessarily a message you will get from popular culture or fads that pass. In fact many of those who seek to advance the right to kill a child in the womb in their arguments argue the exact opposite of this. Some of whom seek to supplant men from their roles entirely placing a burden on women they aren’t designed or capable of meeting. The same can be said of men attempting to fulfill the role of women, in all honesty I can say of myself, I suck at trying to do the stuff that my wife does inherently well. I’ve also found it a bit difficult to get pregnant, grow a baby, and birth a baby. Something I realized when my mother used to tell me that she didn’t have any more kids after me because the agreement with my dad was that if he had the next one she would have a few more.

What if we quit listening to the blind guides who speak out of ignorance and stupid self-promotion and instead garnered our value from the designer who made us in His image. Below is a “bookend” section from Proverbs 31 on the true value of a woman.

10  An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11   The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12   She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life….

28  Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29   “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30   Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31   Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.

Women, you are of far more value than what the world lies to you about. Find your value in how God has designed you.

Good morning, afternoon, evening…or just hello. I am writing this and making it available, only to members of Crossroads on this platform for the plain reason of my current status. I consider this matter “family business” to be handled within the family, therefore my obligation is to communicate with the family. Enough justification, on with the matter at hand.

Recently the Catholic Church has found itself in the sights of some Congressional leaders in the Democratic Party. If you are unfamiliar with this, I encourage you to investigate some of what is happening on that front. In short, Catholic Bishops in America are considering standing up for the doctrine of their church and not allowing those in public office to receive the Eucharist (communion for us). In the Catholic Church this is a very significant deal. The impact is not as well appreciated in the Protestant church as our doctrine surrounding communion and church membership varies with our traditions.

What is occurring in the US (as well as most recently in legal actions taken in Italy) between the Catholic Church and the cultural advancement of both sexual immorality and advocating the murder of children; is nothing short of politically motivated ideologies attempting to bully, threaten, and intimidate The Church. The most recent threat is that of their 501c(3) status. Be assured this will not remain constrained to the Catholic Church. There has been an ongoing push for years on this front, however, it would appear now that the vehicles used to promote hostility toward the church are becoming more open and clearer. Members of Congress are emboldened enough to cross the line of separation between church and state and are openly threatening in public platforms the practice of church doctrine. While the Catholic Church’s views and ours differ significantly on matters of doctrine, we do share a common history and core foundation in desiring to honor God.

I simply write this to make you aware of the current status of our nation and some of its leader’s outlook on the church. This is not unexpected or new, though the emboldened nature of it does show a lack of restraint that once was present.

Our response should be marked by adhering to Scripture. We continue to find our hope and home in Christ not in the things of this world. Continue to pray for the leaders but also come together as family. Upon my arrival back I will sit with the elders as well as some like-minded church leaders and build community. There is little we can do at a national level, however, at the family level we can come together and build one another up in Christ. Building a network of believers will help in the midst of this now and as we all move forward together.

Sorry for the morose tone of this article, but we are sojourners in a foreign land. This place is not our home, our home is to be face to face with Christ. We will continue to endure awaiting the glorious return of our King.

 Blessings,

Steve

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

For the first time in a decade I won't be preaching for Easter this year. As I sit in quarantine in the middle of the desert and thought about that; I realized that I spent Christmas separated from my family and others in quarantine, and now Easter as well. Two points of the year where we celebrate the birth of our savior and the accomplished work of our savior.

It's easy for me to get annoyed with the separation and the circumstances of my situation, but then I think about the inheritance that is mine through the accomplished work of Christ. We are sojourners in this world, separated from God by sin, awaiting the return of our King. It's easy to get annoyed and distracted about circumstances during our separation, but the life of a believer should be marked by our focus on the cross and the empty tomb.

In 1 Peter 1:3-6 we read: "3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials." We do endure various trials, but our rejoicing is in the cross.

Being separated from others in this time has helped me to appreciate my family, my church, and being around other believers all the more. But even greater than this, it has allowed me to appreciate that the world has nothing to offer me. All that I need is in Christ. I am merely a sojourner in this place awaiting either the return of the King or my departure to Him. There is tremendous truth for the believer in Paul's statement to the Philippians: "21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Php 1:21-26)"

As you celebrate the resurrection with your family and with the church family give them a hug, love them, enjoy them; but praise and thank God for the salvation and inheritance that is yours through Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Steve

It feels like it has been a long while since I've sat down and written an article for the church. We are still busy here with 12 hour days and one day off. We are on call 24/7 for our units as well. Jared and I have had almost too many "God moments" to really recall and share at this point. I'm sure there will be an opportunity when we are back and things slow down where he and I can reminisce about some of the events that have happened over here. Some pretty easy ones to see are:

Our entire trip started back in December when I met a lady in the elevator at our quarantine location. I asked how she was and where she was headed. Turns out that on our opportunities to head to the shopette Jared ran into here and they would talk. We found out right before we arrived she is one of the First Sergeants we work with almost daily over here. The initial connection made all of the ministry we do a lot easier.

I originally had a roommate that was a lead in one of my units. A neat guy from my wing back home. He got up for work around 0400 so when my duty phone would ring at 0200 every other night it was not a good situation for him. I prayed that God would move me to a room by myself so I wouldn't be a bother to him and I could deal with the emergencies easier. God knew better. At about the same time as me recognizing this need, God opened a spot in a room with another chaplain. Chaplain Q and I have become great friends talking about theology and family almost every night. Growing in our love for Christ and staying motivated to do what we are called to do.

One final moment to share is our emergency contacts. Jared and I share the emergency phone, which is part of his training. To my knowledge we were the only team doing this. The other teams just had the chaplain on the phone which we decided early on if I'm to preach on Sunday I can't be woken up in the middle of the night the preceding two nights. Because of this move, Jared was in the position to save a life. I won't say much more than that, but the reality is, he was better equipped to deal with the situation than I would have been. That event set both of us up to be readily accepted into our units (which are pretty rough and tumble guys who wouldn't often turn to the chaplain as a first line of help).

God has consistently shown up and moved pieces at just the right time. Much of our days are really spent seeing where God is at work and jumping in to join Him. I encourage each of you to do the same. Certainly there are schedules to keep, but what if you let God guide your steps as you consult Him for your schedule?

Blessings,

Steve

Every once in a while as a preacher you throw a clunker. It can be discouraging. I admit that there are times I seek to supersize the full meal deal in a sermon when perhaps just the regular portion would work. Other preachers have different philosophies. Some give teasers of sermons, some give emotional pleas, some are hanging out in left field tickling ears. The great part about my perception of throwing a clunker is recognizing God has equipped me to do what I do and He authors the sermons. It also serves as a time to reflect on why do I do what I do?

I was thinking a lot today about Ephesians 6; specifically the sword of the spirit. Paul states: in Ephesians 6:17-18 "17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." The sword is the one weapon we are given in our arsenal. When I consider my style and motivation behind preaching I consider how ineffective many of us are at wielding this weapon. I suppose that's why some of the folks I preach with over here state I preach like a professor. Part of my role is to equip saints with the one weapon they have in their arsenal.

It is odd to preach saying words like "hermeneutic," "exegesis," and "eisegesis" to folks that have often been spoon fed and may not know the power of what they hold in their hands. Then I think back to my church family and miss them all the more. Knowing that in the midst of spiritual battle you all have my back and wield and desire to wield the sword of truth in a manner worthy of a warrior. My role over here isn't complete yet, but I am hopeful that by the end God will have used me to equip more warriors ready to withstand the enemy and knowing how powerful the sword we wield is.

May we all continue in our prayers for one another. I miss you all.

Wow, it has been a non-stop whirlwind over here. A typical day runs with a 14 hr work schedule and my day off ends up with half of it back at the office. We do what we can to catch our breath and get ready for the next God moment. Today was my day off and I got called back to make a couple phone calls so things are set for tomorrow's business. While at the office a crisis situation arose and I was right there to deal with it. A good thing too, as it was an issue I was familiar with. The days here are filled with these God moments. Times when I'd rather be somewhere else and then I find God put me right where I was for a reason. Most of us are pious and say how great it is to trust in God. I can honestly say I hope to be like all of the pious folks someday. Many days I'm arguing with God to go do what I want to do. I am thankful He knows better.

I often have to remind myself of Roman's 7 where Paul's states the things he wants to do he doesnt do, but the things he doesnt want to do he keeps on doing. A lot like Paul I find myself battling the spirit and flesh daily. This battle reminds me of God's great and wonderful grace.

I hope you, like me, can marvel in God's grace with you. I also hope you struggle less with God taking you where He wants you. I'm worried the heels on my boots may get too worn out from me trying to dig them in. Oh what a wretched man I am, thank you Lord for your grace.

Miss you all and love you.

It's been over a day since the capital was stormed by angry conservatives who support President Trump. Not a lot of time to reflect but enough to make some observations. Something I've always been fascinated by is human behavior. This is probably one of the reasons I studied Psychology. In considering human behavior in light of the Bible there is a vast predictability in what actions people will take. When people feel unheard, they get louder. If they continue to feel unheard they get animated, or they can get violent. That is what many of the folks who marched in the BLM protests said this last Summer. Now we could certainly argue the depravity of the organization called BLM, and we would be right in doing so. But I'm guessing a lot of the folks who didn't feel heard during the marches that often turned to riots this Summer, wouldn't necessarily align with the core tenets of the BLM organization. And yet in large part, if I hear right, they continue to feel unheard. In all honesty, I have had a hard time understanding what they were wanting to communicate. I earnestly tried, I asked questions, I sought answers but I couldn't fully grasp what was being said. So I sat still not fully grasping what was being shouted. And then yesterday.

In response to the apparent nationalists that stormed the capital, I completely understand how they feel (and yes, you can understand how they feel without supporting what they did Karen). For a long time, simply for voting for Donald Trump because I'd prefer if our nation didn't support killing babies and upheld policies that support Biblical family values. I've been called a bigot, racist, fascist, homophobe, deplorable, told to check my privilege, that my opinion doesn't matter because of the color of my skin and my sex, told I'm stupid, mocked because of my religion, and on and on. It would be one thing if this was just the last four years, but let's be honest white guys, we've heard this over the last decade and a half at least.

So now we have two sides of people that feel unheard by those in charge. One side feels marginalized because of the color of their skin, the other side also feels marginalized by the color of their skin; both sides are tired of being belittled, mocked, disparaged, and being taken advantage of. It's interesting because some in both sides have yelled pretty loudly, and what has come down from the leadership. "Impeach Trump!," "Get rid of Trump!" As if Trump were the cause of the way the two sides feel. Trump is more than likely a result of that feeling.

As I said above, human behavior is interesting and predictable. Those who are in positions of power, more often than not, seek to maintain power and get more power. It's a predictable song that is sung out of the sinful human condition. The writer of 2 Peter is correct when he says of false prophets in 2 Peter 2:19 "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."  Many in leadership are simply blind guides and false prophets that have personal vested interest in power. What if the two sides feeling marginalized started looking together to hold the elected officials accountable to actually work toward unity? What if instead of looking at one another as the cause of each other's civil problems, we raised the bar on expectations and held leaders accountable to focus on policies that will unify both sides. What if rather than looking at the letter behind the name on the ballot we look to both the policies and character of the individuals running? I think a lot of people in office would be out of a job. But above even these things, what if we began to look at one another as broken sinners muddling through a fallen world, in need of a savior? And Christian, what if in our peace we find in Christ, we were less about politics and more about the Gospel. Broken, hurting people, need the hope and comfort of a savior and we know Him. For those looking for hope in the government, politicians, or any other human system; you won't find it. People are sinful; only Christ can give you the peace, comfort, and hope you seek.

But what would I know? I'm just a foolish pastor who loves Jesus and can't wait for His Kingdom.

By now I'm sure you have at least heard the rumblings and groans in response to Representative Cleaver's closing of his prayer to open the 117th congress. If not, you can easily do a search and find the prayer on many news sites. Much has been made of his final statement closing the prayer with the "amen and awoman." Notably, this is foolish and some have rightly pointed out "amen" is not a gendered word, rather it means "so be it." This however, is not my concern regarding the prayer. If nothing else this is a foolish, ignorant, and naïve attempt to virtue signal to a select audience. What is of far greater concern is what precedes the comment garnering all of the attention.

Prayer is a time when we come before the throne of the most Holy God, not in our own righteousness, but in the righteousness we have through Christ. As such it is a tremendously humbling thing to go before the God of the universe. Of such importance is this humbling, that early Christians were killed for not bowing down to any other false god throughout history. This past month marked the anniversary of several Coptic Christians who were martyred by Isis for not denying Christ and bowing to Allah. God Himself takes this seriously when instructing Israel to tear down the Asherim poles and states in Exodus 34:14  14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God). God will not be mocked or belittled, and yet we consistently see this occurring from elected officials tasked with the authority to lead this nation. Prior to his notable closing words, Representative Cleaver states "we ask it in the name of the monotheistic God, brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths." If you don't know, brahma is the hindu god of creation. The foolishness of this statement denigrates and mocks the God of the Bible, the One True God who gave His Son to pay the debt for us, the Son through whom there is no other name by which to be saved. This denigration of the holiness of God is a clear indication of the status of a nation that once understood that it stands only through the grace of God.

It is notable that the United States is not mentioned in the Bible. There is one nation on the earth right now that has historically through it's autonomy and sovereignty, held back the tide of one world government, a marker for the final days. I believe we are nearing the end of the line for this nation. A nation that God has used to spread the Gospel truth of His Son to the ends of the earth through missions and mission support. A nation that in what may be it's final years, has elected leaders who mock the Most Holy God. A nation that has grown complacent and lazy in it's faith, with a populace that seeks virtue signaling over true Virtue. I don't know how, who, or what God will use to diminish the United States and remove her from being the obstruction to one world government, but I am afraid we are nearing the end.

God can certainly do anything He wants. My role is simply to point out what He has said and done throughout History, and point out what the current climate looks like. Think of it as a weatherman who looks out his window, sees the clouds, compares the radar, and says, "it's about to rain." It is a time for Christians to be bold and courageous, to stand firm in their faith, and surround one another with the love of Christ, and prepare for rain.