BOOK REVIEW - TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN BY DONNA FLETCHER CROW

Who murdered an elderly woman and cut the throat of her maid? Is the artist interested in Lord Danvers' younger sister a good match or is the distrust of other family members deserved? And what secret is his wife Antonia keeping from him?

To Dust You Shall Return is the third installment of Lord Danvers Investigates by Donna Fletcher Crow, which not only is set in Victorian England, but has the main characters help solve a true crime story from that era. In this case, it is the above mentioned death of elderly Catherine Bacon.

The mystery is well written. There is some edge of the seat excitement in this tale. The characters are interesting as well: I enjoy the appearances of Lord Danvers' butler Hardy and the Dowager Duchess. My only squabble, and it is a small one, is if the main character of the Lord Danvers Investigates series is Lord Danvers or Lady Antonia?  And I mean it when I say it's a minor squabble. I have enjoyed this series (as well as Crow's other mystery series Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense and the Monastery Murders), and am looking forward to the next one.

THE FACE OF HEALTH? OR NOT?

Not the billboard referred to in blog, but same message.

 One thing that irked me during the social distancing/mask mandate era: There was a billboard on the I-465 titled "The Face of Health", with a picture of a nurse wearing a mask.

Hold on to your horses. Probably too late to avoid a Facebook notification of where to go to find the facts of the mask. This is not meant to make a statement one way or the other of the value of masks.

Rather, my focus is on the blurb. No, a masked face is not the face of health. Those who say so either don't know what health looks like or they are deliberately telling a lie to get the results they want.

Here's the obvious: if things are healthy, masks are not needed.

If the masks are able to protect a healthy person from COVID19, then the masked face is a face that needs their health protected. If, however, a mask works solely to keep the infected from infecting the healthy, then the masked face is the face of UNhealth.

Again, this is not a critique of wearing masks. I can see the rationale of it protecting you and others. In fact, mask wearing may help put someone else at ease, and that is a good thing. 

However, to me that billboard was saying evidence of a lack of health was what health looked like.

So if I'm not arguing against masks, why write this blog? Is it just letting steam of at a time where that steam has passed its prime?

No, there is Scripture that this makes me think of. And that verse is Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV):

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who set darkness for light and light for darkness, who set bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 

Okay. The billboard I saw is not the best example of that verse. I cringed when I read Christians saying a true Christian would not wear a mask, just as I cringe with the "Face of health" billboard and the mandates. But it still is an illustration of calling something the opposite of what it is.

Unfortunately, we can find better illustrations. Yes, I can find them and mention them. But then, why should I when you can give examples yourself. 

The reality is we need to realize we serve a righteous, holy God. He dictates what truth is, and plan A is to agree with Him. To disagree with Him is plan C. What's plan B? To realize plan A needs to work and if someone suggests plan C is an alternative, destroy plan C before someone makes the foolish mistake of trying the failed idea.

CHRISTIAN FAKE NEWS - CAN WE DO BETTER THAN THAT?

Pandemoneum, by John Martin

 I'll confess: I got dinged on Facebook for sharing a post that Fact Checkers found inaccurate. 

Yes, I know those fact checkers can be biased. I saw other stories that failed their tests, and the ones at the top of the list were stating a Conservative quote was false. But when I kept looking, I saw others pointing out the error of the liberal side.

In this case, I will raise my hand to acknowledge I'm guilty of the foul. I have no reason to appeal the ruling of the Fact Checkers.

The post I shared was stating a large number of Disney Plus Subscribers unsubscribing in a short time after the leak of the board meeting. The fact-checkers made this point - there was no way to access that information. Disney's numbers aren't due to be released for weeks, and they may not be.

The truth is we're involved in Spiritual warfare, and that reality overflows into culture wars. But are we using the world's weapons, and undermining our cause in the process?

I've remembered several waves, sometimes years apart, talking about atheist Madeline Murray O'Hair trying to get "In God we trust" removed and urging Christians to stand up against it. Each time, I remember other Christians pointing out that propaganda was not true.

In Blinded by Might: Can the Religious Right Save America, Cal Thomas pointed out that activists love having enemies, because that helps with fundraising. We need our white hats and they need black hats. 

Naturally, this doesn't at all resemble the command to love our enemies. The Greek word used is agapao, the same verb used in Christ's commandment for us to love one another (John 13:34-35) and for husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). It means to love in action without expecting anything in return.

It is ignoring Galatians 6:1-10 on numerous levels:

• It is not done in gentleness, and we aren't on guard to keep from being tempted (Galatians 6:1).
• It is heaping burdens on others (either their opponents or those who aren't joining their "holy" Crusade) instead of helping bear them (Galatians 6:2).
• It is thinking we're something, at least enough to judge and condemn others (Galatians 6:3) or in other words building our pride by tearing others down).
• It is sowing to the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8) instead of denying our self (Matthew 16:24) by judging others (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 14:4; James 4:11-12).
• It is not done with a heart of doing good for all (Galatians 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:15).

Do you know what the worst part is? It is not showing Christ to others. It is portraying a God of vengeance towards our opponents, not a God who gave Himself, who died for our opponents while they were sinners (Romans 5:8).

I need to do better fact checking, but we also need to focus on winning others to Christ rather than fighting a holy war against the world by unholy means.

INTERVIEW WITH NOVELIST JODIE BAILEY

 

I've had the honor of interviewing several great novelists, including some of my favorites. On that list of favorites is Jodie Bailey. I was hooked on Dead Run, the first novel I read by her. Since then, I've had the honor of reading Compromised Identity, Mistaken Twin, Crossfire, Canyon Standoff ( with Valerie Hansen: a pair of novellas set at the Grand Canyon, not far from where I grew up), Fatal Identity (my favorite so far), and Deadly Cargo.

JR: Welcome to my blog, Jodie. It might be a cliche question in an author interview, but how did you get interested in writing?

JB: I can’t remember not writing. In elementary school, I used my grandmother’s typewriter so much that she bought me my own and, when she passed away, we found a drawer full of stories I’d typed on it. It’s something that’s always been in me and that I’ve always loved, though I never considered doing it as a career until I was 34. I was in a Bible study thinking, “Wow, how cool would it be to write about God as a job?” And it felt like he went, “Duh, girl. Why do you think you love writing so much? It’s about time you figured this out.”😀

JR: One thing I love about your novels is the how you work your faith thread organically into your stories. How did you come to faith in Christ, and how do you work your faith into your novels so effectively?

JB: First, how do I work my faith in? I don’t. I firmly believe that whatever is in you finds its way out. It comes through as an organic part of the story and the characters’ lives. I was blessed to grow up with a mother who didn’t only see God in certain places. She taught me that God is everywhere, all the time. I was young when I accepted Christ and He has always been a part of my life, but it has been very much like climbing a ladder. He is constantly growing me and changing me. I’ve had moments of doubt and of sliding, but He has always been so faithful to remind me that He loves me, and that will never change.

JR: In a couple of your books, you mention that your characters told you things about themselves. Could you tell us about interviewing characters for your stories?

JB: I sit and stare. A lot. I love music, so I think about what songs they might like. I picked up a method from Susan May Warren a couple of years ago, one that my friend Heidi told me about. I start with their darkest past moment, the worse moment of their lives. I look at how they overcame that and how they can keep growing from it. The story builds from there. It’s sometimes at our lowest that we see Jesus the most clearly, so that also helps with their faith journey. But sometimes, no matter how much I think I know them, they tell me something while I’m typing that I never saw coming. That’s when it gets fun.

JR: The most recent book I've read of yours was Deadly Cargo, part 5 of 8 in the Alaska K-9 Unity series, written by other authors, including a couple I've previously interviewed, Terri Reed and Laura Scott. First, what adjustments did you make in working with the other authors for this series. Second, out of curiosity, how much interaction and community is there with other authors, especially among those regularly featured by Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense?

JB: That was so much fun! And also some hard work! There were ten of us, I believe, ultimately writing that series. We had a giant email loop and were constantly asking questions and adding tidbits to each other’s stories. (The scene with the harmonica is one example…) Those comments and conversations added a lot of richness to our characters, I think. As for community, many of us know each other online, mostly through Facebook and email, where we talk and encourage and pray for one another. It’s a great group to be a part of.

JR: Besides faith, a lot of your stories have heroes who are in the military. Did you have background with the military? How does that help you deal with spiritual warfare?

JB: I grew up near a military base with ZERO connection. I just swore I’d never marry a soldier, not after knowing how much they owed and how the job can be. Uhm, don’t tell God what you won’t do. I married a soldier. :-) And I’m so blessed that I did. He’s incredible. We moved a lot. I learned to live without him when he was deployed or away training, and it made his returns special every time, because it reminded me how blessed I am to have him. 

As for spiritual warfare, it definitely puts a “face” to it, so to speak. Unless people are somehow connected to the military, they really have no idea what it actually looks like. We think of spiritual warfare as a full frontal assault every moment, sometimes, but it can often be an insidious sneak attack. A gradual wearing down. Sometimes our enemy is out front, guns blazing, thick of battle. Other times he’s close, pulling strings or lobbing smaller assaults that might go largely unnoticed. We need to recognize it and to have a plan off attack ready.

JR: Thank you for your time. What other novels do you have coming out? Any other news, and how can we keep up with your stories?

JB: There is always another novel coming out! Witness in Peril just released, which was a fun story that takes place in and around the Grand Canyon. In August, I have another K-9 continuity in the Rocky Mountain K-9 series, Defending from Danger. After that is Blown Cover, about an undercover agent who comes face to face with the ex-partner who betrayed her. I’m also working on two more books as we speak. There are always words going on the page! Updates are on my website, jodiebailey.com. Thanks for inviting me to chat! This has been fun!

THE LIE OF "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" AND THE TRUTH OF THE EMPTY TOMB

Gate at Jourhous building, Dachau Concentration Camp. By Dorsm365 - Photographed by Dorsm365, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4526036

One of the highlights in my life was the two months in '80 when I served on a mission trip with Mission To Europe's Millions. We worked in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland working with Yugoslavs who worked in these Western countries to save up enough money to build houses back home.

Of course, we did some sightseeing. I was at a gift shop where they had postcards for the Oberammergau Passion Play, which takes place every ten years (including '80). We visited Neushwanstein Castle in Bavaria, which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Slovenia's Postojna Cave. And one afternoon we stopped at Olympic Stadium in Munich after a morning at the most memorable site: Dachau.

How can someone not be moved after visiting a former concentration camp? If you don't believe that people have the capability of being evil, remember the Holocaust. You see the evil from those who committed atrocities against fellow human beings, and you see evil from those who ignore what's happening.

The one item that made the biggest impact was the gate the prisoners entered into the camp. Over it were the words "Arbeit Macht Frei" - "Work makes you free."

Did it? How much work would it take to be released from Dachau or the other Concentration Camps? Not enough. The goal of the Camps was to exterminate the undesirable. When Germany was defeated, the camps were given the orders to kill all the prisoners.

Even then, I realized the spiritual parallel. Are we saved by Grace or by works? One is a gift, the other is wages. If you pay for it, it's not a gift. "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, work is no longer work." Romans 11:6, NKJV.

Can we make ourselves free from sin? Both the Old and New Testament make it clear we can't.  

• "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him - For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever." (Psalm 49:7-8) 
• "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?" (Proverbs 20:9)
• "Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.'" (John 8:34-36)
• "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:8-9) 
• "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." (Galatians 1:3-4)
  
• "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
• "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)
  

 Is this enough? Or do you need more? Because there's a lot more!

We serve a living Savior. 

Happy Resurrection Day.

 

 

WHAT DAY DID CHRIST DIE? WHEN DID HE RISE? AND IS THIS SOMETHING TO ARGUE ABOUT?

Christ Crucified Between Two Thieves, by Rembrandt

 I'll never forget my surprise one Good Friday when I worked in downtown Indianapolis. As I was out of the building for lunch, I saw a gentleman who was always handing out tracts. Well, I wished him a happy Good Friday.

His reply? "Every Friday's a good Friday."

Really? From a person who's trying to tell others the Gospel, and how Christ's death, celebrated that day, would give them life?

Allow me to give you some news that would surprise some people and not surprise others: Not all Christians observe Good Friday or even Easter. It's not that they minimize Christ's Substitutionary Atonement on the Cross or deny His resurrection from the dead. Rather, they see these days, as well as the Lent season and Christmas, as started by the Catholic Church and borrowing pagan traditions.

What day should we celebrate Easter? Most holidays are either celebrated on the same date (Christmas, Independence Day, Groundhog Day) while others are celebrated on the same day of the week on a set week of the month (Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Mother's and Father's Day). Not Easter. Don't ask me how they determine when it should be celebrated. Yes, it's always on Sunday, but it could be any time from mid-March to late April. 

You may be aware that not all Christians agree how the date should be calculated, with Orthodox Easter celebrated later than Catholic and Protestant Churches. And none of them seem to consider connecting it to Passover, as the original Easter was. 

At least they agree that Easter is on Sunday, or at least the first day of the week (some will say that Christ rose not on Sunday morning but after sunset on Saturday, which is when Jews believe the first day begins). There is not the same agreement on the day Christ was crucified. Sure, most of the organized church believe it was on Friday. But did Jesus rise on the third day, counting the tail end of Friday as day one and the beginning of the first day as the third? Or did He spend three days and three nights in the earth as the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40)? If the latter, then He would have been crucified Wednesday, which doesn't fit the traditions we have.

As I asked in the title, is this something to argue about? Of course... NOT!!!

The Gospel is contained in the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 15, which mentions that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures. The focus is on Jesus' death and His resurrection. The day He was crucified doesn't change the fact, and when we celebrate the Resurrection doesn't either.

So why don't we plan on celebrating Jesus' substitutionary death for our sins and His victory over the grave with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, both in our local church and those we know outside the church? And maybe borrow the idea of author Leah Libresco in Building the Benedict Option and go Easter caroling?! (Wouldn't your neighbors like to hear you singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and "The Easter Song?")

INTERVIEW WITH KERRY BALDWIN OF MERE LIBERTY, CO-AUTHOR OF FAITH SEEKING FREEDOM.

 

JR: First, welcome, Kerry. How did you come to Christ, and what influenced you to be, as your pod-cast promo on Facebook is described, "Theologically Reformed, and Philosophically Libertarian?"

KB: I was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS); baptized as an infant and confirmed in the faith when I was 15. I have an inquisitive nature and continued to ask questions to understand the deeper truth of doctrine, but met resistance in one form or another. I spent a few years attending Baptist and non-denominational churches in my 20s. In roughly 2006, I decided to really examine the doctrine of baptism so I could decide whether or not to baptize my own kids as infants. This examination took me to R.C. Sproul and Ligonier who seemed to be answering the questions I had been asking for many years. And the study of baptism conveniently (providentially) found me exploring related doctrines on soteriology, eschatology, covenant theology, and more. In 2014, I officially became Reformed by joining an Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC).

My exploration of reformed theology and libertarian philosophy began exclusively from one another, and only by happenstance. In 2008, I learned about Ron Paul and libertarian philosophy thanks to his ’08 presidential run. Much of what he was saying lined up with things I had been learning through Sproul and Ligonier and so found some compatibility. As time went on, I found there was so much compatibility that my research into the two fields really began to converge. I eventually found Reformational Philosophy, originated from the Dutch Reformed tradition of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Dooyeweerd. This non-reductive view of the world, grounded in Calvinism, became the glue that now holds my libertarian philosophy and reformed theology together.

JR: I'd like to hear about your ministry, Mere Liberty. Could you tell me about the Liberty Seminar and the coming link Reformed Eikon?

KB: Just a correction: I don’t consider Mere Liberty a ministry. A ministry is something directly connected to the institutional church and ecclesiastical office. Though I do write about matters relevant to theology, I adhere to the view that the office of ministry is reserved to qualified men in the institutional church.

So, my website is simply a place where I can publish and share my thoughts on philosophical matters from a Reformed perspective. My mission with Mere Liberty is to challenge prevailing paradigms in politics, religion, and culture. This may be challenging non-libertarian Christians to consider more seriously the principles of a free society. It may also be challenging non-reformed Christians to consider more seriously the importance of true doctrine. And it may also include challenging reformed Christians on whether their views are truly reformed.

The Liberty Seminar is an online, semester-long, course I developed in 2020 when the lockdowns happened. I am a single, work-from-home, mother of three – and I homeschool them. One of the ways I managed to do this was by teaching my kids how to think well. My philosophy background and inquisitive nature meant incorporating the Socratic method (inquiry-based learning) into my homeschool model. By teaching my kids how to think (not merely what to think), they have the tools necessary to teach themselves anything. As families across the nation were thrown into “remote schooling” I wanted to offer a resource to parents that teaches them and their kids these valuable skills. But to learn how to think, we need ideas to think about. The ideas I present for discussion are the principles of living in a free and prosperous society. I offer these courses for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults.

I have made no formal announcements about Reformed Eikon yet. I have been compiling Reformed resources which are non-egalitarian but challenge the (arguably) non-Reformed (Baptistic) views of Complementarianism viz the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW). This is a controversial topic. Many conservative Christians assume complementarianism is merely a general belief about the natural complementarity between men and women, and a proper view of qualified male-only ordination. This is not the case. I have found that though CBMW affirms these basic facts, they have developed and promote some highly questionable doctrine that, at the very least, is not Reformed. Reformed Eikon will provide a host of resources to demonstrate the case that we can hold to historic reformed orthodoxy, gender complementarity, and qualified male-only ordination while rejecting the numerous errors of complementarianism (and by extension, so-called “biblical patriarchy.”) Just to be clear, as this is easily misconstrued, I do not support the ordination of women, nor “lay teaching” during public worship, on the Lord’s Day. I am not the least bit interested in softening this view. Nor do I support feminism. For my position on feminism, you can listen to my episode, What is Feminism in Simple Terms? https://mereliberty.com/podcasts/what-is-feminism-in-simple-terms/ And my view of women’s ordination, here: https://mereliberty.com/podcasts/can-reformed-women-be-ordained-deacons/

JR: One of the best books I read last year is a book you're a co-author of, Faith Seeking Freedom: Libertarian Christian Answers to Tough Questions. What feedback have you received to this book? Anything you'd like to say about the Libertarian Christian Institute? Also, what was it like working with not one, but three other co-writers?

KB: Of those who’ve read the book and commented, I’ve heard nothing but excellent reviews. To be fair, the respondents have been mostly already convinced of libertarianism. But many newer libertarians get asked tough questions they sometimes don’t have an answer for. So, this book provides concise answers with resources for further study. I’d love to hear feedback on the book from a non-libertarian, however.

The Libertarian Christian Institute (LCI) was born out of the question, what is the best expression of Christian political thought? Conventionally the answer to this question has been, republicanism, in large part due to the conservative coalition in the 1980s. If one takes the time to study further though, political party lines used to be divided on very different issues, and many Christians were Democrats before Jerry Fallwell’s “moral majority” took root as Republicans. Christians today, including the Reformed, tend to take for granted political philosophy and the need for a robust public discourse. Many Reformed are unaware of the libertarian roots of notable Presbyterians such as J. Gresham Machen, who might have been the first Christian to be labeled a ‘libertarian.’ So LCI, reevaluates the question and (essentially) concludes that libertarianism is the best expression of Christian political thought. Obviously, that’s somewhat of a loaded answer and requires an explanation. That’s why our book, Faith Seeking Freedom is valuable to the uninitiated Christian. LCI is not itself Reformed – it’s ecumenical but limited to the Trinitarian Christian tradition that ascribes to the ancient creeds. I represent the Reformed voice on staff.

What was it like working with three other authors for the book? It went pretty smooth, actually. There’s 102 questions and we each took a quarter of the questions based on our knowledge set. Then we reviewed each other’s work to refine it. If anything, I’d say our ability to work cohesively, from different theological backgrounds, evidences our claim that libertarianism is indeed the best expression of Christian political thought.

JR: This world has always been a mess, but I think we're in an era where it's messier than normal. What would be a "Theologically Reformed, Philosophically Libertarian" solution? Are the problems more political, spiritual, or none of the above?

KB: I wouldn’t necessarily say that things are “messier than normal.” I’d say, we’re now more keenly aware of the messiness that has always been. The Internet has really allowed us to shine a light on pervasive and perennial problems. But if, for example, you’ve read Machen on politics, you’d see that much of this is not new. Here’s an article I wrote about that. https://libertarianchristians.com/2018/10/22/taking-up-machens-torch-an-archetype-for-christian-libertarians/

I do believe that the Reformed view offers a unique perspective as to the “solution” viz the Kuyperian concept of Sphere Sovereignty. I have heard some guys like Doug Wilson appeal to Kuyper, but I’d say Wilson’s understanding and application of sphere sovereignty is deeply flawed. If your readers would like a more thorough treatment of Reformed Libertarianism I commend them to read the statements that I and my colleague, Gregory Baus, formulated on the matter:

• Reformed Libertarianism (a minarchist view) https://sites.google.com/view/reformed-libertarianism
• Reformed Anarchism (a view of stateless civil governance) https://sites.google.com/view/reformed-anarchism/

Gregory Baus and I have also begun discussions of the Reformed Anarchism statement on my podcast, Dare to Think, beginning with episode 26 on culture.

Other important points of interest from the Reformed perspective is the historically reformed position of resistance to tyrants. You can read more about our view of Romans 13 here: https://mereliberty.com/romans13/

Also, many Christians tend to resist libertarianism because the Libertarian Party comes off as very socially liberal on issues like abortion, drug use, prostitution, etc. I have offered a libertarian theory relevant to abortion that indicates libertarianism is foundationally prolife. In the book, Faith Seeking Freedom, I wrote the chapter on abortion (as well as most of the chapter on Christian ethics) to address these important matters. You can see all my work relevant to abortion, including my Soho Forum debate against PhD Economist, Walter Block, at https://mereliberty.com/abortion

JR: Thank you for your time. If someone wants to learn more about Mere Liberty, how can they accomplish this? And I didn't take time to ask about your alma mater? (Though I'll confess, I always found it easier to root for Wildcats than Sun Devils.)

KB: I must confess that I attended Arizona State University online – so never participated in the on campus culture. None the less, I graduated from ASU, summa cum laude, in 2015 with a BA in Philosophy.

Please feel free to visit mereliberty.com to learn more about me and my work. You can find information on my online courses there as well. You can find my podcast, Dare to Think, on any podcatcher. I appreciate reviews on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter. If you friend me on Facebook, please send a message introducing yourself. I screen friend requests and I’m more likely to accept yours if you’ve messaged me.

BOOK REVIEW - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: HOW THE WORLD KNOWS WHO REPRESENTS JESUS BY JONATHAN LEEMAN

Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman is a short read, as is characteristic in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series. Also, as is characteristic, it takes you out of the comfort zone and gives you things to to think about.

Leeman starts off by raising the question if our view of church membership and whether it is not just important but necessary in a Christian's life. He doesn't candy coat the subject; there are concepts that are, to be honest, jarring, such as the phrase "Submitting to the church". With authoritarian movements and cult groups, there is a reason for that distrust. On the other hand, some of that discomfort is that we are looking at things from our individualistic, materialistic, often hedonistic societal American worldview. (By the way, when you read the book, "submitting to the church" is not as scary as it sounds.

One question that is dealt with is whether there is a difference in dealing with a person who is a part of the "universal church" and one who also is a part of your local church. Another is whether where you live and work is your personal decision or whether one should consult the church in making these important choices. Like I said, this book will take you out of your comfort zone.

This book is to-the-point, but Leeman also gives some humor in the book to help make this an enjoyable read. I would suggest this as a book a new member of a church should read. Just as important, I would recommend reading with others, be it in a Sunday School class or a discussion group.
 

WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT FRIDAY?

 If I had a dime for every time I hear someone say "Happy Friday," or "Wish it was Friday" or, of course, the cliche TGIF.

On the other hand, I often hear my wife Becky and the Hungarian Bible wish each other "Happy Sunday." Is that any different?

To be honest, I find the "Happy Friday" mentality depressing. Of course, the people who say that are at my place of work, and so I don't get to see them on the weekend. But it still saddens me. Why?

First off, it gives the impression that one day of the week - or at least one workday - is worth living, and the rest of the time, not so much.

Second, there's a reflection that work is a curse. We need to remember that Biblically, work preceded the fall and the curse. Adam had a job - he was a gardner. He had a job before he had a wife (probably the one who started that pattern). 

Let's approach it a different way. What dreams do youngsters have? They want to be a musician or an actor or an athlete. Guess what? To be good at any of these, it takes work! Maybe it seems more glamorous than the usual 9-5 or what used to be my pattern, the graveyard shift, though those who make a living at those things might think the shine is a little fainter than it was when they were young. 

I have a friend who had his foot amputated. He shakes his head at those who can work and don't; he's unable to work and wishes he can. 

To me, life is too short to not enjoy each day, even if it is mundane and boring. Do you like any of the people you work with? Is there satisfaction in doing a good job at your place of employment? 

Now, I would feel differently if that person who wished me a Happy Friday had told me "Happy Thursday" the day before and is also known to say "Happy Wednesday," "Happy Tuesday," and the inconceivable "Happy Monday." 

After all, I enjoy Mondays! It is a new beginning, a chance to improve on the job I did the previous week. 

Now, does "Happy Sunday" differ? For me, it does. It is not primarily thankfulness for what is not being done but for what the person is doing. Particularly, when stated among Christians when they're going to church, when they're meeting with fellow believers, when they're studying God's Word and singing praises to Him.

SHOULD WE CONSIDER DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN TO BE SAD?

Ralph Carmichael, 1927-2021

Okay, sometimes my reaction is a little bit delayed. It was almost six months ago that Christian composer/conducter Ralph Carmichael went home to be with the Lord. So hope my comments are still relevant. And it's not as much about Carmichael and his passing as it is seeing a few people call the event sad.

I had the honor of hearing him at Knott's Berry Farm. Dony and Reba McGuire hosted a live presentation of their album "The Lord's Prayer," which included Cynthia Clawson, B. J. Thomas, the Archers, and an orchestra conducted by Carmichael. I've also enjoyed some of his songs such as "He's Everything To Me" and "Love Is Surrender."

But when did that happen? 1981. Four years later, I believe he conducted the choir when Steve Camp recorded the song "Do Something Now" which was the Christian equivalent of "We Are The World." That was the last I heard of him in that context. The truth is that he didn't have much of an impact on my life.

Now, I'm sure his passing was a sad event for his family and friends as anybody's passing. But why would it be sadder than anybody else's life. Besides, he was 94! Shouldn't we consider him leaving this planet with COVID making a mess of things, a culture that is at war with God, and with a madman in Russia plotting the destruction of a neighboring country just because he can something to rejoice about, as well as rejoicing in his ministry?

I felt that way seven years ago when Andre Crouch was on his deathbed. The singer Carman, who was positively influenced personally by Andre, was asking for prayer for Andre's recovery, stating that he was only 72 and people had productive years after that. Maybe it was just me, but that hit me the wrong way. 

First, it implied a desire for Andre to stay. But again, wasn't it better for Andre to be with Jesus than here? Second, Gospel pianist Anthony Berger was called to his eternal award when he was 45. Was there something wrong with him leaving sooner? 

Let me add a thought. Is it death that's sad? Or is it really sin? After all, death is the consequence of sin. If there had not been sin, there would not have been death.  In eternity, we will be removed from the presence of sin, and as a result there would be no death.

Okay, maybe this is just my rambling. But maybe we should be thankful for the brief life we have, of the short time others can bless us and we can bless them. And maybe we should echo what the Psalmist said in Psalm 116:15 - "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."