Today’s date will no doubt will strike horror in the annuls of history. I've just come in after seeing our "guardian angels" flying overhead. They are a pair of F-16's and a KC-135 Tanker, very high up in the sky. They are the only aircraft in the sky tonight, patrolling over the greater Phoenix area. The F-16's appear to be doing a figure-8... The tanker flies in a wide circle around the Valley. It is a very eerie evening. - journal entry, 11 September 2001

It was six years ago tonight that I wrote those words. It was a very eerie evening indeed. We live under the air traffic pattern for Sky Harbor airport, and the sound of jet engines is nearly constant. But not that night - or for several nights. The skies were nearly silent except for the sound of the combat air patrol circling our city.

It's hard to believe that it was six years ago today that we experienced the most fearful moment my generation has witnessed. It's even harder to believe that our collective memory of that horrific day is fading away just as the smoke did over Ground Zero.

There was a lot of uncertainty on that day, and in the weeks to follow. Six years later, now embroiled in an unpopular war, I dare say we live in a time that is just as uncertain. As we debate on whether or not we should bring the troops home, we seem more concerned about the antics of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton (all whom in my opinion have overstayed their fifteen minutes of fame).

Meanwhile, al-Queda and other extremist Muslims are hell-bent on destroying our way of life. They care not whether we are Christian or not - hell, they won't hesitate to kill other Muslims to impose their narrow-minded will upon the world.

Wake up people. And keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

Freedom Is Not Free

I think the inscription on a wall at the Korean War Memorial in Washington says it all - "Freedom is not free."

Let us not forget that our own country's fight for independence continued for another seven years after we declared it. And even then, the British came back again in 1812 to try and take it away.

Let us not forget the gargantuan issues our country faced for decades until it was finally resolved in violent struggle. The Civil War was nearly America's undoing; instead, an entire segment of the population was liberated, and we became a stronger nation.

Let us not forget the juggernaut of Nazi Germany and its evil Axis of fascist allies who sought to shape the world in their twisted image. The struggle was monumental - and came at a very high cost - but it was necessary.

The struggle against Communism and it oppresive ways has manifested in many ways. One of the most visible ways is in Korea, where many perished as two mighty powers vied for control of the peninsula. Even today, the struggle remains an unresolved stalemate as both sides stare at each other across a 54-year-old cease fire line.

We went into Vietnam hoping to stem the tide of Communist agression; failing this mission would start a domino effect of losing the rest of southeast Asia. We flinched. Vietnam fell. So did Laos. And Cambodia. And Burma. In Cambodia, some one to two million people were eliminated in the killing fields by that murderous regime.

So what about Iraq? Are we going to flinch there, too? Granted, the war has proved difficult. Probably because we're playing too nice, too politically correct. But this war has not been any more difficult than any previous struggle.

I admire my fellow Americans for wanting peace. It is a good cause. It is just. It is honorable. But peace - like freedom - is not free.

We are dealing with an enemy that thinks America has gone soft and are more than willing to prove it. They don't understand the freedoms we enjoy. They have no Bill of Rights. They are intolerant of any religion other than their own. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, something else, nothing else, or even some sort of Muslim, you are on their hit list.

This is a small but tenacious enemy. They must be dealt with over there or we will be dealing with them over here. Perhaps it's already too late. But we must be prepared to struggle.

Freedom is not free. That's not a suggestion. It's a fact. Let's not forget that.

Back From Camp

Another summer music camp has come and gone...now I'm back home where it's nice and hot (whoopee).

This year's camp was a bit smaller as about a dozen kids we usually get from one particular church did not come this year. Too bad.

We also had a rather unfortunate and serious incident (of which I can't really elaborate) that resulted in sending one camper home. On Wednesday night, Pastor B and I drove back to Phoenix to take him home. Not something I ever want to do again.

Otherwise, it was a really great camp. The children wrote and performed a wonderful little opera. The weather was cool (even downright cold one day), and we even got to have campfires despite the fire danger.

From our church we had three children attend this year - they all had a great time. Their parents and grandparents can attest to that.

As for me, this was perhaps the best camp experience (even with the glitch) that I've ever had. There's just something about that place. I consider it one of my God places. As one of my fellow staff members said, it's a place that helps turn my spiritual life back to normal. Without a doubt, I prayed more this past week than I have been lately. I got to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones, all with whom there was much levity. My friends at church told me today that I looked more peaceful. Well, I sure feel that way. Onward and upward.

Headed Off to Camp

I will be spending the next week at camp, so obviously I won't be blogging unless someone brings a computer with an internet connection. But it is, after all, about getting away from it all, isn't it?

There are some things I won't miss. Like the summer heat in Phoenix (although it hasn't been that bad this year yet). Like hearing about the continuing saga of Paris Hilton (can we serve some cheese with that whine?). Like work.

And who knows, maybe I'll even see one of those elk thingies.

Blacksburg: Reflections On A Tragedy

Is it my imagination, or does it seem like the flag has been flying at half-mast a bit too much lately? Sure, it's to be expected now and then - like when former president Ford died. But not when it's a senseless tragedy like what happened at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia on Monday.

Of course there are always the questions as to why. But when it comes down to it, if I were alone in a room with Cho, I don't think I would ask why - his words would be meaningless. There is no justification whatsoever for this wasteful and hideous act of evil. Perhaps I would share the good news of redemption through Jesus Christ - at least give it a try. But it's too late now anyway. Satan has claimed another soul and Cho was probably honored that evening by "having dinner with Hitler" as I like to put it.

I would also call NBC on the carpet for even considering to air this insane man's manifesto. Again, it is pointless and provides no added value to our society whatsoever. The materials sent to NBC should have just been turned over to the FBI - period. Because of NBC's irresponsible handling of these materials, others may now be emboldened to follow Cho's footsteps and perhaps - God forbid - try to top him. Although all the news outlets are showing it, I think NBC should be singled out for boycott of all their programming and sponsors, at least until those who decided to air Cho's rantings are fired. After all, Don Imus fired for less (and I'm not trying to minimize the effect of his inappropriate comments or discount the response to those comments).

So who's all to blame? Do we blame the psychologists who did little or nothing to treat Cho's mental illness? Do we blame our medical system which no longer institutionalizes the criminally insane? Do we blame the lax gun control laws that allow people like this to purchase weapons? Or do we blame strict gun control laws that disallow security personnel to carry the very weapons that could have dropped this animal before he snuffed out 32 lives? Was Cho's upbringing not strict enough? Or too strict? Do we blame those who did not reach out to Cho? Or do we blame the disease that made him so unapproachable to those who tried to reach out?

As I watch this and other world events unfolding before me, I submit to you the root cause of the world's ills. This is not a God-fearing world. We live in a generation that goes about its business as if there is no God with whom to be accountable. As if there is no God to judge them. As if there is no God at all.

It is better to depend on the LORD than to trust mortals. - Psalms 118:8

If God is so good and loves us so much, how can He let this sort of thing happen? That's a valid question, for which I have a valid - if also simplistic - answer. We are all God's children, and God created each and every one of us with a free will. Instead of robots that obey His every beck and call, we are to make our own choice to love God. And it's that free choice that makes our love of God truly genuine.

Yet there are others that choose not to love God. They don't respect God's creation, and they don't respect God's children. They don't care who gets hurt. They just go on and live their lives as if God doesn't exist.

What we saw Monday was a clash of values. And 32 people innocent of the charges leveled by an insane animal were killed in the crossfire.

It is time to mourn again. I leave you with this link to the Virginia Tech homepage which has a fitting tribute to their fallen students and faculty.

The Don Imus Scandal: Can We All Just Move Ahead?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked him, "Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?" Jesus answered him, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

Let's face it. When Don Imus made his derogatory remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team last week, he was an idiot. His comments were unacceptable. Period. And I think it was right for his radio show to be suspended. And I think it was perfectly alright for Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson to call Imus out.

I've never heard Don Imus' show. In fact, I never even heard of Don Imus until this whole thing came out. I don't know anything of his character or his beliefs. I have heard a recording of the comments he made on the infamous broadcast, and I agree they were distasteful as they were polarizing.

I also know that Don Imus has apologized profusely for his comments and has thrown himself at the mercy of the public, those he directly offended, and his staunchest critics. Don Imus has figuratively nailed himself to a cross for his offense. Which is more than anyone can say for former Arizona governor Evan Mecham, a horse's ass who made similar racial slurs on a daily basis without apology.

And now Imus has been fired. That is certainly the prerogative of his employers; the loss of listeners and sponsors is probably enough to justify Imus' termination.

But is that enough to make the likes of Sharpton and Jackson happy?

To these Christian leaders, I would ask now that they step up to their faith. Imus has apologized enough already. Are they willing to forgive? And if you forgive seventy times seven, have you really forgiven the first 489 times?

Call to Discipleship

I have a friend at church whom I don't always see eye-to-eye with. And I'm sure I annoy her at least as often (if not more) than she annoys me. Yet while I don't always agree with her (and I choose to agree to disagree), we have some really profound spiritual moments together.

She has had some real struggles with her health for the last several years, not the least being the breast cancer which started her whole struggle in the first place. I saw her today as she was walking by, and since I hadn't seen her for a couple of weeks (when I'm sure I annoyed her last), I motioned for her to come give me a hug.

Turns out she really needed that hug, the kind that says, "I'm so grateful for this safe, comfortable place because I'm not okay." She just found out that her cancer is back. As we held each other much longer than your typical casual hug, her tears flowed and she shared how she dreaded the struggle. She said she was tired of fighting. "I know you are, honey," was the only response I had. It was the only response appropriate for that moment. I think it spoke volumes.

So today was obviously one of our profound spiritual moments together. So pray for my friend.

False Prophet Identified

"At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." -Matthew 24:23-25

Take a good look at the picture on the right - this is exactly what Jesus warned us about. This is a false prophet. This is a false Christ. Sounds crazy?

Meet Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, a pastor in Miami who claims to be Jesus Christ incarnate. And he has the number 666 tattooed on his arm. Now that's odd. And the scary thing is that a lot of people believe him.

De Jesus preaches that there is no devil and no sin. I don't know what Bible he's preaching from, but the New International Version has a combined 466 specific references to "devil" and "sin," as well as 46 references to "Satan." And that's not including other references to the devil including "serpent," "beast," "evil one," etc. That's a lot of references to something that doesn't exist (did you know that cats are not mentioned in the Bible? yet they exist!).

Satan is the Great Deceiver, and perhaps the biggest lie he perpetrates is that he doesn't exist. Trust me, he does.

But wait, it gets even more twisted. Not only does De Jesus claim to be Christ incarnate, but also the antichrist! How can he be both?

Then there's the matter of the "666" tattooed on his arm. While the number 666 is associated with the devil, De Jesus claims it's all just a misunderstanding. Well, let's see. Revelation 13:18 states: "This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast [the devil], for it is man's number. His number is 666." Sorry, there's no mistake about this verse; 666 is associated with Satan. Unfortunately, De Jesus' followers do not have the wisdom to discern that. In fact, De Jesus thinks the antichrist is a great guy.

De Jesus also preaches, "The Antichrist is not the devil; he's the being who replaces Jesus on Earth." True. The Antichrist is not the devil. 2 John 1:7 says, "Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist." But when Jesus ascended into heaven, he was not replaced by deceivers. The work of Christ was placed in the hands, feet, mouths, and hearts of his followers. Nor did Jesus leave us in a spiritual vacuum after he left, for he promised us in John 14:26 : "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

De Jesus - I wonder if that's his real name, or one he concocted to ease his deceit? But one thing is sure - he is an antichrist in the true definition. He shmoozes his congregation along the path of evil. They hear what they want to hear. He exploits their ignorance. By telling them there is no devil and no sin, they have no God to fear. In the end, he will only lead them - and himself - to destruction.

How do they allow this to happen to themselves? How do they allow this inherently evil man to control their very souls? Quite simple. They don't know their Bible. And Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda knows this.

If you wish, check out the full story on CNN.

Meanwhile, I close with this passage: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1

In other words, get into the Word, my friends. The Bible is your best protection against scheisters like Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda.

Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

Nobody's Perfect - But That's Okay

Some convicting words I heard in this morning's sermon:

"Raise your hand if you're perfect." No hands went up. "Raise your hand if you would like to be more Christ-like." Most - if not all - hands went up.

See, here's the thing. If you're not perfect and you want to be more Christ-like, that means you've got some work to do on yourself. I know I do. But that's okay. The Bible is full of instruction on how to be a better person.

...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ♦ Romans 12:2