Have a Solid Ideology

If you want to have success in life, you must have a solid ideology. Our decisions and choices in life are based upon the grid through which we analyze life. This ideology is critical to our success and joy. Recently in a message I discussed this concerning the stem cell research debate. On what grounds are we basing our decisions? Here's what I said:

"I want to give you an example of what I believe is worldly wisdom verses wisdom from above. I want to read to you a couple of quotes of persons in the public spotlight, one of which is currently running for president.

Hillary Clinton stated recently concerning Stem Cell research,
'Later today, the president will veto a bill passed by Congress to support stem cell research. I co-chair the Alzheimer's Caucus in the Senate. I've worked on helping to boost funding for research to look for cures and a way to prevent so many devastating diseases. And we know that stem cell research holds the key to our understanding more about what we can do. When I am president, I will lift the ban on stem cell research. This is just one example of how the president puts ideology before science.'
(Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference Jun 20, 2007 )

We must always put ideology before science. It is our Christian ideology which declares that Hitler was not right to experiment on human beings and seek to wipe out a race. It is our Christian ideology which declares every human being has the right to freedom, unless they yield those rights by their actions. It is our Christian ideology which declares that we should not kill others without a just cause. It is our Christian ideology which says we should not euthanize those who cannot care for themselves.
In the days ahead, science and medicine will continue to draw us into ethical dilemmas which test our reason and resolve. It is our Christian ideology, built upon the Scriptures, which builds a foundation for our culture and boundaries for our ethics. Without this, the doctrine of the survival of the fittest will lead us down an Orwellian path to the destruction of Mankind. We must put ideology before science. Without this, we base our decision upon worldly wisdom rather than wisdom from above. If according to the Scripture, Man was created in the image of God, and God knows us in our mother’s womb, we must put the rights of the unborn on par with the rights of the born.

I agree with presidential candidate Alan Keyes when he states,
'No medical advance, and certainly no material profit, justifies denying the claim to humanity of the embryonic human person. Those who try to justify it are driven from one tortured rationalization to another, none addressing the real issue. Being undeveloped, unconscious, unattractive, small, or unwanted--these are not reasons that we accept in any other context for failing to respect the wholeness of moral worth that every human being has from his Creator. Why, therefore, should we accept it in regard to embryonic research? No--we do not have the right to take human life merely because it is unconscious, or because it is undeveloped or damaged, or for any other reason that tempts us to deny the equal dignity of all human persons. We ourselves don't want to be used as the basis for experiments without regard for our humanity--and neither should they.'
(Source: Campaign website, www.alankeyes.com, "Issues" Oct 1, 2007 )

I believe this position is based on biblical wisdom, not on natural wisdom. If you disagree with me that’s okay, but I challenge you to argue your point on Biblical reasoning and logic, not worldly reasoning and logic. "

Do you have a solid ideology upon which you make decisions? Without this a person will tossed around by the currents of the culture. To life a great life, we need a solid foundation upon which to make decisions.

Believe in God's love

If you want to have great life, believe in God's love. How tragic and baseless is another shooting on a college campus. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and all those who have been close to this senseless chaos caused by a derranged gunman at the NIU campus. At this point, we don't have a clue to his specific motivation, but we can assume that here was a young man who found no point to life, and he was so angry and bitter he wanted others to feel pain and heartache. Suicide is tragic of itself, but the desire to ruin and destroy others is the most heinous crime.
Crimes such as these point to those senselessness of life. These decry a nihilistic view of life which says there is no hope and meaning in life. If we have tried to be loved, tried to express ourselves, tried to find meaning, and nothing has brought fulfillment and direction, then nothing is left. This must be the final wrung in the ladder of those who have taken away God and eternity. Life is pointless without the love and mercy of God.
Some will use a shooting like this to say if God really loved us, He would not allow these things to happen. But He allows these events, as painful as they are, to bring us to an appex, a moment of thought, a moment of decision. We can now become embittered and angry at life, others, and God or we can reach out for something more - for love, for purpose, for God.
Now is a time for grieving. Now is a time for comforting those who have experienced trauma and tragedy. But we must not become embittered. We must seek the God of the Universe who has an eternal plan. There is purpose and meaning in life. He has shown us His love through Creation, through miracles, and ultimately through sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins. Through His pain and death, we can have purpose and experience the security of the love of God.

Don't judge others

If you want to have a great life, don't judge others. The debacle in the baseball world is a sad state of affairs. Players and trainers are ruining the game for many by seeking to skirt the rules and play with illegal performance enhancing drugs. Quite honestly, I'm tired of hearing about these accusations.
It is important that we not be too critical in judging these individuals. The truth will eventually come out. There is no need for us to stand in judgment over them. They are either guilty of these allegations, or they are not.
In the past, some players took steroids and others drugs before they were illegal in baseball. As far as I understand, the Androstenedione found in Mark McGwire's locker was not banned or illegal at the time. The league, and possibly the players, were not aware of their harmful side effects. Whether he took other substances, we do not know.
According to an article on steroids.com (yes there sites where people can order steroids), "When Congress bootstrapped anabolic steroids into the Controlled Substances Act by passing the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, steroids were already covered under 21 USC § 333(e), a part of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. That law, passed in 1988, made it a felony to distribute steroids (without criminalizing their personal use). When the Control Act effectively took steroids out of that section, Congress filled the void by sticking hGH in there. So, while hGH is not scheduled, 21 USC § 333(e) prohibits the distribution or possession with intent to distribute hGH for any use in humans other than for recognized medical reasons and pursuant to a valid prescription. Violations may be punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years (10 years if to a person under 18 years)."

Whatever the case, if these men (and others like Marion Jones, etc.) have done something illegal, let them be prosecuted in the courts, banned from baseball, and let us move on with our lives. It does not do us any good to speculate whether or not they are guilty. It does not do us any good to get upset about Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens. It is sad for our kids (my son and I lost our interest in Sammy Sosa when cork was found in his bat) when heroes are found to be sinners like everyone else, but this is a good lesson for all of us to learn. No one is perfect. People will let us down and seek to break laws to their own advantage. This is one reason God has given us the way of redemption through Jesus. There may be repercussions for our sins in this life, but God will forgive us if we ask Jesus to pay for the penalty of our sins.

People need to be held accountable. The law and God will judge them. At least, it sounds like, Andy Petite understands this. One of the reasons he shared stories concerning Roger Clemens is he knows one day he will have stand before God and be held accountable. All of us will. Therefore, we should allow God, the law, and the courts to judge those who are wrong. We should also make sure we ask God to forgive us for our sins and accept His payment for our sins through Jesus. Let us move forward with our lives seeking to be real heroes for our kids and others around us.

Focus on the Positives

If you want to have a great life, focus on the positive in people. It is so easy in our culture to become cycnical. One of the most cyncial people I have ever witnessed is Scarlett O'Hara (a Gone with the Wind reference). I struggle to watch this vivacious whiner. Her dasterdly schemes turn my stomach. Yet, opposite her is the lovely Melanie. What a sweet woman (It seems Olivia DeHaviland often plays sweet roles). The contrast between these characters is one that should make each of us stop and evaluate our own attitudes about others.
Scarlett was constantly worried about life and what others thought of her. She consistently used and abused others to her own advantage. She had her own agenda and did whatever she needed to do to get what she wanted.
Melanie sought to assume the best in people. Though she was nieve about many, including Scarlett, she was uplifting and a woman of integrity. When she died, she was thought of with respect and dignity.
In a world of deceptive marketers and salesman trying to make a buck on our gullability, we obviously need to be careful in our evaluation of people. But let us be quick to point out the good in others and assume their innocence of character. Yes, we are all tainted with sin, but his does not mean that all are seeking to take advantage of every situation.
Paul writes in Col 3:12-14, "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion , kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
That sounds much more like Melanie than Scarlett to me. Let us seek to focus on the positives in others.

PS - I apologize that I have not blogged more recently. For some reason I could not access the site for a couple of weeks.