Waxing on Higher Learning

“God our Father hear our voices, listen to our cry. Bless the college of our fathers let her never die.” - An interesting line from William and Mary’s Alma Mater song...especially now...wow...I am watching the local news tonight and I see the unbelievable report on William and Mary's decision to host the "Sex Worker's Art Show." As you can imagine, this is more than a bit controversial and I am just wondering why such a prestigious university that has been attended by people like James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson, would allow such degradation? According to the President of the College:
"The First Amendment and the defining traditions of openness that sustain universities are hallmarks of academic inquiry and freedom. It is the speech we disdain that often puts these principles to the test. The College of William & Mary will not knowingly and intentionally violate the constitutional rights of its students. Censorship has no place at a great university."-Gene Nichol, President of William and Mary
So anything goes at William and Mary? Even a historic cross in a chapel? Apparently a cross in a chapel was more disdainful than the President of William and Mary could stand.
When Mr. Nichol ordered the cross removed from Wren Chapel last year, he came under a firestorm of criticism from many, including alumni. His explanation was a bit confusing:
"It is precisely because the Wren Chapel touches the best in us—the brightened lamp, the extended hand, the opened door, the call of character, the charge of faith, the test of courage—that it is essential it belong to everyone. There is no alternate Wren Chapel, no analogous venue, no substitute space. Nor could there be. The Wren is no mere museum or artifact. It touches every student who enrolls at the College. It defines us. And it must define us all."
By define us all I guess that means all but Christians....it seems that Mr. Nichol is concerned about protecting students from the "offensive" symbol of Christianity but sees no need to protect students from the obvious offense and destructive results of sexual exploitation...
(The cross has since been put back in the chapel but not on the altar. The cross is now displayed in a glass case, explaining that William and Mary was established by the Anglican Church.)
In his statement about removing the cross from Wren Chapel, Mr. Nichol spoke of:
"The call of character, the charge of faith, the test of courage"....hmmm.
William and Mary gave its first honorary degree to Benjamin Franklin.
The college has also awarded honorary degrees to prestigious men in our nation's history such as Woodrow Wilson,Calvin Coolidge,Franklin Roosevelt,Harry S Truman, Dwight D Eisenhower... I wonder if the next honorary degree will be awarded to a President or a stripper? What courage! What character! How prestigious! "Higher" Learning?
"God our Father hear our voices, listen to our cry!"
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

Waxing on Determination

Ever wanted to quit? Felt like the task ahead was just too hard? Just wasn't worth it? Several years ago I asked a ministry partner if he ever felt like quitting. I was hoping for some inspiring words to encourage me on a particularly uninspiring day but he said "Yes, I do...just about everyday." After a long pause I asked him "Are you going to?" He very quickly said "Oh no! I can't quit!" He was very honest about how he felt but very determined to press on...and he has. I have watched him go through some hard times and adapt to some very different ministry roles but he has never quit...now that is inspiring! Have you quit? Thinking about it? Anybody can quit...I refuse to! How about you?
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Waxing On The Thrill of Victory And The Agony of Defeat

Novak Djokovic (3)of Serbia (below) has the look of victory...and well he should. He just accomplished what no other man has been able to do in the last 10 Major Tennis Tournaments...defeat Roger Federer(1) in the semi-finals. Un-seeded Tsonga of France eliminated number 2 Nadal of Spain in the other semi-final of the Australian Open. How the mighty have fallen!

Roger Federer is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tennis player of all time but his picture above reveals that even the best suffer the agony of defeat. He has 12 Grand Slam titles but will not catch up to Pete Sampras just yet. He will have to wait until the French Open for his next chance to do that. These players are all just so good! I marvel at the ability of these men...being a very novice tennis player myself, these guys amaze me, but still...and you knew it was coming...how much does it really matter? Sure, they are at the very pinnacle of success in their professions and that has to be fulfilling, for a time. They have millions of dollars and should enjoy a comfortable life, barring any unforeseen circumstances...and then they will die...just like me... and you.
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away;his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16-20)
Nothing that we can accomplish, obtain or be can keep us from death. We can be sure it is coming, and then comes the judgment. No victories of any kind on this earth will help us there. Only Christ has won the victory that will save us from the agony of eternal defeat. Repent! Trust in Jesus! He has won the victory over sin and death and He will save those who trust in Him!
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,even as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:18-22)

Waxing On Snow

We don't get much snow here in Central VA. As a matter of fact Becky and I joke that we live in the NSZ (No Snow Zone). Seems like the significant snow is always to the North, West, South or even East of us. But when we do get snow...any snow...it is treated like the major news story of the year! Yesterday we got like one half of an inch and you would think that it was a blizzard as we had our Special News Reports and packed grocery stores that are typical of the way we respond to snow here. I worked in the grocery business for 25 years and saw some amazing behavior when ANY snow fell. Now I am a pastor and today I got my first experience of the effect a Saturday PM snow fall has on our regular assembly on Sunday. We were out very early this morning checking the roads, parking lot and sidewalks and did make the choice to cancel our 9am Bible Study but held our regular 10:30 Worship Service.
We had a pretty good crowd with about 80% of our normal attendance. It was so good to be able to worship the Lord with my spiritual family...it always is!
I couldn't help but think how many churches cancelled services, adusted the schedules (including us) and how many people stayed home because of a few snow flakes. As I have been watching the AFC and NFC Championship Games today, this thought just will not leave me alone...
I wonder how often any amount of snow or bitter cold has kept, even believers, from attending NFL football games...I know I have a pastor's perspective but right now I am watching the Packers and Giants on TV at Lambeau Field..it is not snowing but it is -6 degrees, with a -30 windchill and the place is sold out and "rockin!" The game has just gone into OT and noone seems to be worried about the length of the game (much longer than one hour), the cold, or that they have to be at work in the morning...it is "Championship Sunday!" We admire these hearty people as "diehards" and "true fans." Nothing stops them from going to the games and they don't care what anybody thinks about their loyalty to the team. They wear the colors, paint their faces and cheer until their voices are gone...Can you imagine what Church would be like if we believed it was as important as a football game? I guess we simply get excited about what we really believe in and do what we really want to do...
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Much more certain than any Conference Championship Game or Super Bowl, the Day of the Lord is coming!

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:8-10)

Waxing on Lone Star Shockers

As Cowboy fans try to get over their shocking loss to the New York "football" Giants, I am dealing with another "Lone Star Shocker." That little girl who used to like "Popeye" cartoons, wear really thick glasses and had to have her hair "some up and some down" has gone to Texas! I guess you are never fully prepared for some of life's realities but she is gone.
Yes, Amanda left last night for the long drive. I spoke to her this afternoon and she was in Louisianna. So as T.O. deals with the sudden loss of his Super Bowl dreams, we deal with the sudden long distance between Amanda and us and who knows, maybe her presence in Texas will brighten the smiles down there! Seriously, the time comes when all you can do is pray, the best thing to do anyway... We know that the Lord is as close as the mention of His name to anybody, anywhere. Pray to Him! He has your very eternal life in His control!

Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you. (Psalm 139:7-12)

Happy Birthday Bro!!!

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him." (1 Samuel 1:27)

Waxing on Awesomeness

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.(Psalm 19:1)
The closer we examine God's handiwork, the more we marvel at His awesomeness! This picture, taken by the renowned Hubble Telescope is just one of the incredible images that are being transmitted back to us here on this tiny little planet called Earth. The awesomeness of God is mind boggling!

Waxing on Summertime in January

I wouldn't mind being in Melbourne, Australia right now. Grand Slam Tennis action and Summer!Our buddy Geoff Malgee is in Melbourne with Campus Crusade for Christ and although he probably is not attending any of the matches he still must be digging those 90 degree days in January! Keep up the good work down there Geoff! We are praying for you.

Waxing on the Newlyweds, Jason and Kristi

I guess it is official now! Jason and Kristi Burton are now married! Wish I could have been there to see it but because we could not make the trip out to Rapid City, we honor your marriage here on the worlwide waxle blog. Congratulations! Jason is my nephew and friend and I am very thankful to the Lord for blessing him with such a wonderful woman as his wife. See you two soon back home in VA!

Waxing on The Big Game

I came down from my office tonight...or late last night, and there was a commercial on TV about the upcoming Superbowl. Jordyn and I briefly discussed the playoffs but with little excitement. The NFL has not been very exciting for Raider fans for 5 years and counting. And to think I used to throw chairs and curse over this team??? What was I thinking? Actually I did alot of foolish things for most of my life, and I will probably always be a Raiders fan but with a different perspective. Compared to knowing Christ Jesus as Lord, nothing else really matters...as the Apostle Paul says it is less than trash, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
I was listening to Pastor Jim Cymbala preaching about our call to run this race with endurance and how hard it gets sometimes. The Bible says to throw off the things that weigh us down so that we can run with endurance. Next year at this time we will be talking about different teams in the NFL playoffs. This year's Superbowl winner will be old news. In a billion years, we will still be talking about Jesus. You a fan yet?

Waxing On Prayer

I was thinking today that having a need and not praying about it is kind of like starving to death in a Chili's. Have you seen the size of the portions in that place? You leave there hungry, it's your own fault. But how often do we walk around spiritually hungry? Need mercy? Pray. Need grace? Pray. Need wisdom, healing, help with anything? Start talking to God about it. He says He will never turn away those who come to Him believing in the name of Jesus.

Waxing Non-Stop

Ever wish you could slow time down? I guess we all do but no chance. Seems like it gets quicker every year. It is 2008! My baby girl is 15, my oldest is moving to Texas, my niece moved to Atlanta to be married soon, and my nephew is getting married this week in Rapid City SD. What? How did all of this happen?
I am really starting to understand the meaning of "all flesh being as grass" and "our lives are vapors."