The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

World War I -- "The Great War" -- ended officially on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting ceased with the declaration of an armistice of the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month," 1918. Ever since then, 11/11/1918 has been recognized as the end of WWI.

Starting with President Wilson and ending with President Eisenhower, the country now celebrates "Veteran's Day" on November 11. This year is no exception. This year's celebration has been especially enhanced by my last plane ride.

I was on a flight from Atlanta to Albuquerque. On the flight was a large contingent of Navaho Code Talkers. These brave men were able to disseminate messages throughout World War II and the Korean Conflict using their native Navajo language. The enemy was never able to break their code. I was honored to sit with these brave men.

As we approach this year's celebration, the country is in mourning for the loss of life at Fort Hood. We are in shock thinking about how this tragedy happened. We honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to fight for our freedom.

We also remember and honor those brave men and women who continue to fight the good fight around the world, particularly in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. No words can convey our gratitude for their sacrifice, dedication, and courage.

This Thursday I will fly my flag as a tribute to those who defend it from all enemies domestic and foreign. I will also offer prayers of thanksgiving for all military veterans, and I will implore our Almighty God to send His holy angels to surround them with their protection.

I will also distribute information about the military prayer guides available from Lutheran Hour Ministries. These prayer guides, written by the Rev. Ken Klaus, wrap thoughtful and comforting words around the deep feelings and emotions surrounding military life. To purchase your copies of "Those Who Serve" and "Those Who Support" visit our online store.

Thanksgiving - 2009

The Halloween pumpkins have been reduced to pies; the trick-or-treat candy is getting stale, and the stores in the mall have their Christmas decorations out: welcome to Thanksgiving, 2009. I, like much of America, look forward to the day when I can eat turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, corn, and lots of pie! I admit it. I like the meal.

I also will partake in the American tradition of "Let's pretend to watch the Cowboys on TV while we take a nap." Ah, those are what memories are made of: the family all gathered around me at church and at home, the big, delicious meal, the all-afternoon football games, the laughter, and the joy -- each of these are much looked forward to during Thanksgiving.

A bigger part of the day for me, though, will be the time I spend apart from family and friends, and even spouse -- and talk to God -- just Him and me. I start off with giving Him thanks for all of the gifts I have been given over the past year. This year will include a growing family, a godly spouse, an awesome job, lots of opportunities to share His story, a comfortable house and more things than I could possibly ever use. Yes, God has given me more than I could ever dream of!

Then my thoughts will turn to the times when I wasn't particularly happy with my life. This year there have been health issues, family job reversals, downsizing, and uncertainty about the family's financial future. I will share with God a little of my frustration and anger over those things too.

Then my thoughts will turn to our nation. I am fearful of what is happening in our country. It seems as if there is way too much anger, self-serving maneuvering, and self-righteousness among our politicians, our news reporters, and our neighbors. I feel this year more than any other we are facing a "house divided" -- in much the same way President Lincoln must have felt. I will give thanks for our nation. It is still a nation of safety and freedom like no other country in the world -- and for those things I am most thankful. I will, however, also ask God to bless us with wisdom to walk away from our selfishness and look to the greater good.

Then I will be still and just sit in wonder and awe at the greatest gift I have -- eternal life in Christ.

Yes, God and I have been chatting for many Thanksgivings now. I look forward to this year's conversation as well. Perhaps you look forward to talking to Him, too?

Sexual Temptation

It's hard to avoid. It's in the movies, a substantial number of TV shows, on the radio, at the grocery store checkout counter, in e-mails, and all over the Internet. It's been around since the first fig leaves in Eden, and it thrives in today's society -- sexual temptation. The numbers are both staggering and sobering. According to some studies, 70 percent of men ages 18-24 visit a pornographic Web site monthly, 30 percent of viewers of Internet pornography are women, 90 percent of children ages 11-16 have seen Internet pornography and the majority of pornographic Web sites are visited between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

All classes, races, and occupations of men are affected by sexual temptation and particularly the sin of Internet pornography -- even churched men. The numbers continue to grow, due in part to the affordability, accessibility, and anonymity afforded by Internet pornography. Often the addicted will attempt to dismiss his or her sin with the words, "It doesn't hurt anyone," or "It's a victimless crime."

Ah, the rationalization of Satan! Sexual sin is sin that fractures families, destroys lives, and places people in danger of eternal damnation. Addiction, especially to Internet pornography, will cause a person to draw into him- or herself at the expense of family, work, and all relationships. One extreme danger associated with pornography is the exploitation of children. Dipping one's toes in this cesspool can lead to a federal charge of child pornography -- a felony punishable by a fine and jail time.

Men, it's time to step up and be sexually pure. Men, let's examine what our mouth says, our eyes see, and our mind desires. We need to especially scrutinize our use of the Internet, cable TV, and what we read. It's also time for men as responsible -- and protective -- fathers to critically assess and guide the use of the Internet by our children.

Men, it's time for us to confront a sin that seems to know no bounds. And men, it's imperative we remember there's still hope in Christ for the sinner -- every last one of us. It's time for us to extend the Good News of the Gospel to those entangled in the use of pornography, especially Internet pornography.

Whose Job is it?

With all the recent discussion about health care, gay rights, abortion, military involvement in war, euthanasia and government bailouts, the question is naturally asked, "Whose job is it to take care of people?"

It seems to me today's answer would be, "The federal government needs to take care of all the social needs of society. Only the federal government will insure that social programs are administered fairly and equitably to all residents of the country, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, financial need, or citizenship status." It seems it is assumed in today's society only the federal government is capable of delivering social services to America's population. It seems as if individual states are looking to the federal government to keep them fiscally afloat, even as it provides for the social needs of the state's population.

As I review the list of social services afforded by the federal government, I am in a quandary. I wonder, "Wouldn't it be best for people if social services were provided by churches instead of governments? Wouldn't it make sense for churches to come forward and feed the poor, help the homeless, provide for job placement help, fund the medical needs of the indigent, and so on?"

I know churches used to be the first place people went for help in time of need. I know churches still do an awesome job providing aid and comfort; hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of how the church community stepped up and continues to provide aid. However, why is it many church folk today seem content with the federal government taking over the primary role of aid and comfort? Why is it so many non-Christian people in America see the church as close-minded and unwilling to help others in need?

Is it time for Christian men to step up and become a force for social programs in the church and not rely on the federal government? Is it time for us to speak up and show up? Have we gone so far that churches will never regain their role of providing aid and comfort to those in need?

Guest BLOG - My Lesson in Grace

I first remember experiencing grace was when I was about 12 years old. It was just after Christmas and I was the church acolyte one Sunday. Nobody had trimmed the wax on the Christmas candle in a while so I should have just blown it out at the close of service rather than trying put it out with the issued equipment. As the candle started to fall I quickly reached out and grabbed it resulting in hot wax pouring over my hand. The swear word that exited my mouth not only was loud enough for the congregation to hear, but I'm pretty sure anyone walking outside became a little more curious about the Lutheran denomination that day.

Now it was standard operating procedure that our pastor would stand facing the alter as I put out the Advent and Christmas candles behind him. After my charismatic outburst, pastor slowly glanced over his shoulder checking to see that I wasn't on fire. As I turned back toward the congregation I noticed everyone's eyes darting around the room in every direction but mine.

I then finished up my duties, exited the sanctuary, and put away my acolyte gear. It was then that the fear of the inevitable gripped me. A lecture was a given, a beating was more than possible.

As I exited the church and found my dad I braced for the worse. What I got though, wasn't what I expected. Nothing. Nobody said a word. It wasn't even joked about by anybody. It was as if it had never happened.

Our Lord and Savior is just like that, only better. His forgiveness is complete each and every time. In fact, Psalm 103:12 reminds us,"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Now I'm not saying that the grace of my congregation is equal to God's everlasting grace, but the feeling and the consequence was pretty similar.

You see, even though I screwed up royally nobody held it over my head and they still let me light the candles. I'm sure with crossed fingers. In addition, I learned from my mistake. First, I kept a tight grip on my tongue; and second, I blew the candles out the next go around just to avoid a repeat performance.

In our Christian life it's humbling to recognize that we're all just a bunch of dumb sinners. But that our Lord is the Lord of second, third, and as many chances as we need. And that He will keep on forgiving and forgetting until we get it right.

I hope your first experience in grace was just as memorable.

NFL - Week Four - Real Men Wear Pink

Watch any football last weekend? Pink hats, pink gloves, pink ties, pink shoes and even pink ribbons on the goalposts. Coaches, receivers, linemen and even officials are wearing pink. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the NFL has donned pink to draw attention to the second leading cause of cancer death for U.S. women - breast cancer. These men of the gridiron are showing support for and encouragement for the estimated 192,370 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and the estimated 2.5 million women living in the United States that have a history of breast cancer.

While some may think it is a bit odd for the bastion of manliness...the NFL to take up this cause of breast cancer awareness, I could not agree more with their support. I have a bias towards anything that will advance the cause of breast cancer awareness and cure.

My wife did everything right - according to all of the risk factors for beast cancer. Yet at age 43 she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. A radical mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy gave her ten more years of cancer free life. Then the disease returned - this time no surgery, no treatment could take away the disease. She fought for three more years as the disease slowed its ravages, but continued to progress. The disease won and she was called home to her Heavenly Father. She left behind her husband of 35 years, four awesome children, a fantastic daughter-in-law and one amazing grandchild.

Having witnessed her fight against the pain, the attack on her body, the weakness, and her physical deterioration, I am a crusader for Breast Cancer Awareness Month - for if I never witness another woman who has to fight this disease, I will be happy.

Her fight was such an inspiration to me - for against her tremendous pain and suffering - she always pointed to God as her salvation - God as her strength - God as her Fortress! As her pain increased, her trust increased - she witnessed to her faith, her strength, her Father. I pray that we each can be encouraged by her faith, but never have to face the disease.

The men of the Men's NetWork also join together to encourage the women in our life to have an annual screening mammography beginning at age 40. We also urge the women who are at high risk of breast cancer - a first degree relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, delayed child birth, along with other risk factors - to have a screening mammography at an earlier age. Yes, real men are wearing pink and are proud to do so,

Yes, this real man will wear pink.

Fear

It seems as if there are a number of people who wish to instill fear in our hearts and minds. Najibullah Zazi is being sent to New York to face charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction; the Associated Press reports that "School drinking water contains toxins"; President Obama and the leaders of France and Britain demanded that Iran fully disclose its nuclear ambitions; Michael C. Finton, also known as, "Talib Islam," of Decatur, Illinois, made his first court appearance Thursday on charges of attempted murder of federal employees and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction by plotting to bomb the federal building in Springfield, Illinois, and the two Belleville (Illinois) West High School students who attacked a third teen on a school bus recently now face felony charges under the juvenile code. Yes, fear, intimidation, and even terror appear to be the motive for many of the news stories coming out of just one day.

Adrian Monk, fictional San Francisco detective, appears to hold a "fear record," categorizing 312 fears. Among his phobias are germs, needles, milk, death, snakes, crowds, heights, mushrooms, and elevators. Perhaps some of the popularity of his character is that many people can empathize with his fears -- for we seem to live in a fear-filled society.

Much of the anger and rhetoric revolving around the current administration appears to be fear driven too. Many people are afraid of the unknown and the loss of control -- both of which come to the forefront when discussing economic bailouts, government health reform, the recession, and retirement costs. This fear has driven people to action -- some good, some not so good.

Fear can be debilitating and cause inaction. Fear can be depressing and cause inaction. Fear can be demonizing and cause inaction. It has been said that fear can be healthy. I would suggest that fear is unhealthy -- raising anxiety levels, causing inaction, and derailing people from participating in constructive civil debate.

So I have stated the obvious. So what? Perhaps it is up to us as Christian men to step forward in courage, overcome our personal fears, and speak the truth in love. Perhaps now is the time to examine issues with rationality and objectivity -- refusing to blindly adopt un-informed opinions. Now is the time to address the issues rationally and draw our own conclusions.

I will try.