In case you were wondering if the latest cinematic assault on God would spell the end of Christianity, never fear. Noted atheist Phillip Pullman’s The Golden Compass was release a few weeks ago to a flurry of news and entertainment stories. Was it an atheist manifesto? A secular Lord of the Rings? An epic fantasy? A sanitized effort to get unsuspecting children to read the books? The answer is in: what it actually is, is a ringing dud. After three weeks, Compass managed to take in “just” $48 million dollars. That sounds like a lot of money, until you realize that the investors who put up the cold hard cash to make the movie – and who were hoping to start a money-generating machine like The Lord of the Rings or National Treasure – spent more than $150 million to make the movie. The investors may recoup their losses through foreign ticket sales and DVDs, but you can bet that no one will be lining up to make installment 2 in this series. Producers may not like bad reviews, but they cannot stand bad financial returns. The movie business is after all, a business. Compare Compass’ meager take to the old-fashioned Disney move, Enchanted, which has taken in more than $98 in almost the same length of time. Even the campy Alvin and the Chipmunks (with far less CGI effects) managed to take in more than $80 in just more than half the time.

Of course, even if this movie was the greatest financial success ever, it would not change the truth that God created man, that Adam fell by sinning against God, and that God made provision for reconciling a people to Himself through the most unlikely of methods: sending His Son, the eternal Second Person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ into the world as a baby. How can we possibly think that God is afraid of a piece of colloid when He was confident enough to change the entire world through a baby?

I was able to spend a few hours this morning working on some the “back page” issues on the website. This all started when I reminded myself that I have to get a Sunday school page up on the site, so that I can meet the requests that have been made for PowerPoint slides and audio of my Sunday school class on Covenant theology and Pastor Carroll’s class on Revelation. I am not there yet - I have to build the ground floor before I can work on the second story. So I added a subsection of the website on our church body life (including some pictures!) and then I will map Sunday school into that section.

Stay tuned for more modifications to, and additional material on, the website.

Today I had a wonderful experience. It was the experience of worshipping at Christ Church with virtually no pastoral duties. In God’s Providence, and thanks to Pastor Carroll’s hard work, I did not have to preach this week. We also do not have an evening service – so no evening sermon. I did not have to teach at all, in fact. (This is a sharp change from next week, when I’ll preach twice and teach my new Sunday school class – which will have its own kind of different pleasure and benefits for me!) I was able for the most part to simply relax with my family both before and during the service. I did not have to focus at all on the sermon that needed to be finished towards the end of this week. On my favorite of all holidays - Thanksgiving – I rested and played with the kids and enjoyed company. The next day, I did not even feel the need to fight traffic and the hordes of shoppers on “Black Friday.” (And if you know of my love for all things electronic, you know what a sacrifice that was for me!) Two days of complete rest from all duties and cares!! To top it all off, we had the Lord’s Supper this morning. What a wonderful week.

But there is another good thing that I was reminded of this week. It is that Christ Church is much more than the place where I work, or the place where I am allowed to minister. Christ Church is the Grecos’ church family. It is the place that we long to be. You may have noticed that on our last week of vacation (in September) that we showed up for church at Taylor High School. I thought about visiting another church to see what was going on around town (there are few opportunities for a minister to do that), but the kids wouldn’t hear of missing their Sunday school classes, or their friends, or the opportunity to hear Pastor Carroll preach. Deb and I couldn’t think of a good reason to be away from the where we wanted to be. Even though it might seem “unusual” or a “waste of a vacation opportunity,” we wanted to be with Christ Church. In fact, I can say with all honesty that if I were not a pastor but still a lawyer who lived in Houston that we would attend Christ Church because of the people and the commitment to ministry. There is no other place where I would rather be. All this was brought to my mind when I read an internet article from 9 Marks Ministries entitled, “You shouldn’t work at a church you wouldn’t attend.” Praise be to God that is in no way the case for me. I am incredible blessed.

Have you ever been tempted to doubt God and His power, especially as you look at the state of the world around you? Are you, like me, angered by the millions of abortions that occur each year? If so, I would ask you to dwell upon Psalm 138:6-8:

6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

and do yourself a favor and read this story about a remarkable birth.

Blessings,

A few days ago I told you about a wonderful new film called Bella. Today I saw a video on YouTube that showed one of the greatest singers of all time, Tony Bennett singing Bella’s praises. Mr. Bennett also makes a very interesting observation that is applicable to us here in Houston: that real solutions to problems like immigration can best be addressed through a context of the value of people, the importance of the truth, and respect for God.

Go ahead and watch:

Tonight, I had the opportunity (thanks to some kind friends) to do something that I had not done in a while: go to see a movie with my wife. The cost of tickets, the inconvenience of finding a babysitter, and a general difference in favorite movie genres usually keeps us from doing that. But tonight we had planned to see a new movie that has been hitting some theaters. The name of that movie is Bella. We found out about it through some friends, and it seemed to be the kind of movie both that deserved support – it has a “pro-life theme” to quote an excellent article about it in World Magazine, and one that would be helpful for a pastor (that’s me) to see. But I must confess that I did not really know what to expect. We do get (and enjoy) World, but I did not have the time to read the review beforehand. As we drove to the movie, I asked my wife what it might be like, and she was not sure either. I began hoping it was not a dreaded “chick flick.”

I can’t tell you much about the film, because frankly, that might spoil it for you. But I can say that I believe you will enjoy it, and that it has a literary quality about it. I don’t mean that it is hard to understand, with abstract people mouthing platitudes and speechifying. Far too many “intellectual” and “important” movies do that. (That is another reason why I don’t see many movies. Why anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with Homer, Shakespeare, Dostoyevsky, Ibsen or other masters would settle for Hollywood tripe pumped up by Ebert-clones is beyond me.) I mean that the people in Bella are real. Not “based on a true story.” Not a documentary. But really real. There are no pat answers, but there are good and true answers. One of the reasons that I gravitate toward “blow’em up” movies is that at least they don’t pretend to be serious. I can’t stand “heady” movies where I know 10 minutes into it what everyone is going to say and do, because it follows the latest Hollywood convention. Both José and Nina are real people with real problems. They both obviously need Jesus, and yet the film does not feel the need to break in every 5 minutes with a mini-sermonette monologue. Bella simply lets you see how love and relationships and a commitment to the value of people made in God’s image makes a real difference. The movie does not end up wrapped tight with a bow; but it is a very satisfying ending.

After watching this movie, perhaps the best thing was that it renewed me in my own commitments (even as I saw José renewed) to love my family, and to minister in my community. I thoroughly encourage you to take the time and see a very good movie that deserves our support.

Who is the only member of Christ Church who is a veteran of WW II? Here’s a clue, this person served in the US Coast Guard. Many of you who are members or regular attendees of Christ Church know the answer is Mrs. Robbie Jones.

Robbie grew up in Spur, TX which is about 70 miles east of Lubbock in Dickens County. This summer Robbie’s four children gave her a special gift. They picked her up at her home in Katy and the five of them drove to Spur for a trip down memory lane. While there they visited the city hall. The clerk let them see the records that showed a “resolution of respect” to Robbie’s father, Sam T. Clemmons, who was mayor of Spur from April 15, 1921 until his death on June 26, 1923. Robbie never knew her father as he died less than 5 months before she was born.

The resolution is worth reading. It is not only a commentary on the life of a fine man but also a reminder of how far our culture has strayed from our godly heritage. Can you imagine a city council publishing a statement like this today?

Whereas, on June 26, 1923, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe called from this field of labor our late brother and fellow official, Mayor Sam T. Clemmons, now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Spur, Texas:

That while we bow in humble submission to the fiat of the Supreme Judge of us all, we his associates recognize his loss with feelings of regret and sorrow, and keenly feel the absence of his counsel and advice.

That we recognized in Mayor Clemmons the elements of an honorable official; he was noble and generous of mind, an efficient officer, and an exemplary citizen.

That we extend to the devoted wife, in this her sad bereavement, and to the children coming under the shadow of their first great loss, our sincere sympathy. Time alone, and faith in “Him who doeth all things well” can assuage their grief.

That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of our deceased brother and that a page of the minutes of the Board of commissioners of the city of Spur be set aside as a memorial page and these resolutions by entered therein.

Passed July 6, 1923. Attest: EJ Cowan (City secretary), Ned Hogan, JB Richbourg, Board of Commissioners, City of Spur, Texas.

In the photo you see Robbie with her children viewing minutes of the Board of Commissioners in Spur. They are (left to right): David, Polly, Robbie, Janie and Murray. While Robbie is glad to tell of her service to our nation and her wonderful marriage to her late husband, perhaps her biggest achievement in life is having raised four wonderful children who know how to honor their mother. Their example is priceless. Sam Clemmons would be proud of his daughter and his grandchildren. His legacy goes on.

I was given a link this week to a very interesting story about Mother Teresa, the late Roman Catholic nun who was known around the world for her compassionate service to children, invalids and lepers in India. Mother Teresa (born Agnes Bojaxhiu) served in the most difficult of circumstances. Those she served were beyond the margins of Indian society - they were “Untouchables” most of whom society would have been very pleased to forget about completely.

Their needs were extreme. The filth, sickness and disease that were a part of Mother Teresa’s everyday life were overwhelming. For such service, she was admired (from a great distance) by the world, even given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. If ever there was a person who deserved the title “saint,” many thought, surely it was Mother Teresa. How could anyone be so selfless? How could anyone be so humble? Surely it was only a vibrant, effectual, unique relationship with God that enabled her to live the life that she did. If anyone would be certain of going to heaven, it must be her — for she could plead years of selfless service in the worst of conditions with no compensation, comfort or reward. When God asked Teresa “Why should I let you into My heaven?” the answer could take weeks to complete.

But there is a problem. Just recently, private letters and journals written by Mother Teresa have been published, titled Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (by Doubleday). There is a Time Magazine article about the book that you can read here. The letters reveal a very different picture of the life of Mother Teresa. It was a life filled with doubt, emptiness and spiritual dryness. Brian Kolodiejchuk, the compiler/editor of the book is not an atheist of the Richard Dawkins/Stephen Hawking school. He is a senior member of the Missionaries of Charity, the organization founded by Mother Teresa. He is not intending to “discredit” her. And yet it is very difficult to read passages such as:

“Jesus has a very special love for you, as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, - Listen and do not hear - the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak … I want you to pray for me - that I let Him have [a] free hand.”

“So many unanswered questions live within me afraid to uncover them — because of the blasphemy — If there be God — please forgive me — When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven — there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul. — I am told God loves me — and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. Did I make a mistake in surrendering blindly to the Call of the Sacred Heart?” — addressed to Jesus, at the suggestion of a confessor, undated”

“Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Child of your Love — and now become as the most hated one — the one — You have thrown away as unwanted — unloved. I call, I cling, I want — and there is no One to answer — no One on Whom I can cling — no, No One. — Alone … Where is my Faith — even deep down right in there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness — My God — how painful is this unknown pain — I have no Faith — I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart — & make me suffer untold agony.”

How do we, as evangelical Protestants, understand this apparent contradiction? The answer, I think, is an important one. Without going into the discussion about salvation and Roman Catholics in general, or Mother Teresa’s eternal fate in specific (although there is a very interesting article by Reformed blogger Tim Challies here), I believe we must face up to the fact in our own lives that we cannot get assurance from our works. Not even if we perform the most selfless actions possible - like Mother Teresa. Not from our church membership. Not from our baptism (as so many today in “Reformed” circles want to do). Not even from other’s opinions of us.

Perhaps you today struggle with assurance. Or perhaps you are struggling with whether you are “arrogant” for having assurance. Rather than psychoanalyze Mother Teresa, I invite you to get nourishment for your soul from a brief editorial written by a friend of mine and a gift to Christ’s Church, Rev. Chris Hutchinson, the pastor of the PCA church in Blacksburg, Virginia. He appropriately concludes:

It is neither arrogant nor narrow to lay hold of that free grace God offers to all who know they need it. Indeed, the Scriptures tell us that the multitude in heaven will consist of people from every nation, tribe and tongue, and will be so many that it cannot be counted. Yet each of us can surely know that we will be counted in that number — because of Christ’s life and death on behalf of all who believe.

May you know that assurance today.

Some of you may have heard of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action in which the Court by a 5-4 vote (with Justices Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito and Kennedy in the majority) rejected a school diversity plan based on racial criteria. The Court’s decision actually covered two cases with the same issue, one from Kentucky and one from Washington state. You can read a PDF copy of the opinion here.

What you probably didn’t know is that this is yet another instance of the “small world” syndrome. Many in the Christ Church PCA family have head me comment about this minister or that elder in the PCA that I know from various places and times. But I did lead a “former life” as a lawyer - and even before that, as a classics graduate student. In the earlier 1990s (yes, kids, I am that old) I was at the University of Chicago studying Latin and Greek. I became friends with many law students at the University of Chicago’s Law School through a debating society called The Edmund Burke Society. (Yes, talking is nothing new to me!)  One of my good friends there was a young law student who after graduation took a job in Seattle. His name was Harry J.F. Korrell. Why this lesson in history?

Because Harry was the lead attorney representing the parents in the Washington State case. He argued before the Supreme Court and won. A lesson for the younger among us: (1) you never know what you can do if you work hard, study hard and strive for excellence; and (2) you often only get one chance to form relationships, and you never know who the person next to you will “turn out to be.” But the one thing that you can be sure of is that the person is made in God’s image, is valuable and is worth your time and commitment.

After a long hiatus, the webpage with the sermons has finally been updated. It is now better organized with a separate page for each sermon series and hyperlinks to download the MP3s. In coming weeks, we hope to be able to make audio CDs of sermons available to listeners. They will be available on the book table after morning worship. We may also be able to ship out Audio CDs for a nominal cost (shipping). Stay tuned for details.

Watch the website for further updates in the next couple of weeks. WordPress (and independent developers) has made some significant strides in enhancements to its software that will be incorporated to the website. The result should be a continuation of a cleaner-looking, easier to navigate website.