40,000 Dow

The Dow Jones stock index is closing in on 40,000 points.  As a teen I remember seeing 12,000, sitting on the floor while my dad watched evening news. And in my 40s I remember a picture of an investor in the news wearing a t-shirt with the printed message, “30,000,” eagerly anticipating breaking through that threshold. I wonder where that guy is now—is he content or is he wearing a “40,000” t-shirt?

Our best indicator of wealth has risen tremendously, but ironically a key “happiness index” has just reported last week a drop in US happiness levels. 

I think it was Ryan Holiday who asks the insightful and penetrating question (of anything in life), “How do you think that will make you feel when you get it?”  When ancient cultures set up idols on hills to worship, God told them through the prophet Jeremiah, “An illusion comes from the hills.  Today we could say, “Hills even made out of money are an illusion.”  But we keep yearning, not able to see through the mirage. Not until we come to know that Jesus became poor for our sake, in order that through his poverty we might become rich.  But look over there—someone just printed a 50,000 shirt.  Wow, I can’t wait. 

Home

I love songs with deep and meaningful lyrics.  Even if you hate country music, Miranda Lambert's The House That Built Me will take you back to your childhood yard.  I've been back to my granddad's in Daytona a couple times over the decades.  His initials and a smiley face are still engraved in the concrete poured under the outdoor shower.

Lambert writes, 

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here, it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself

Why is 'trying to find ourselves' ending in disappointment such a universal experience? St. Augustine wrote some 1,600 years ago--that's a long time ago, "Our hearts are restless..." But he knew the answer and continued, "...until we find our rest in you, God."  Maybe the house that built me is not 2144 Windsor Hills Drive but is actually my God from his heavenly abode.  We were made to be like him and live with him; not in the world in its current broken state--to which I have contributed.  The fact is, even if you had a 'perfect' childhood and could go back, you would be disappointed.  No, the reason this world will never fully satisfy is because we were made for another world (C. S. Lewis): We were made by God, for God, and to enjoy his presence forever.  Jesus even said he is "preparing a place" for me in John 14, and for all who put their trust in Him.   

  

Counseling

 

I guess an "abundance of counselors" in Scripture does not mean trained therapists, but of these I have had my fair share (Prov 11:14).   A couple of my counselors over the years were great, most were good, some were ok, and a few were not.  One told me I was not very good at being a counselee, which was true.  Some years ago, I went with a loved one to see a counselor; not for them but for us.  I had fallen into a deep, dark hole that took some years to crawl out of, and--wouldn't you know it--it impacted our relationship.  No matter what part of the problem is yours, it is all too easy to blame the other.  But look around the world; can we not all agree with G. K. Chesterton that you and I are at least part of the problem?

Usually, one benefit of seeing a counselor with a spouse or child is simply the presence of a third party, or it may be learning new communication tools and insights.  But there is one benefit that is almost absolute and universal, one that makes it worthwhile regardless of the help given.

The priceless benefit is that your loved one may think to themselves, "Huh, I guess he/she must really love me.  He did some research, made a call, set up an appointment, took the time, pushed through the discomfort of asking me to go along, and in the process is humbly admitting that he/she needs help themselves.  And with all this, they would gladly drop $100 for just the hope and possibility that our relationship might improve.  

Even if the counselor is worthless the above may be a game-changer.  I'll bet many humble, awkward drives together to the counselor's office have soften hearts.  God, help me humble myself in your sight (James 4:10).  Lift my loved ones and me up that we would move closer together as we are drawn closer to you.  

In our case the counselor was really helpful.  Or was it the drive?  

Nothing New Under the Sun

A picture of Justin and Hailey Bieber caught my eye in the post-Super Bowl paparazzi reporting. Justin's wife, Hailey--now she may be nicest person in world, I don't know--Hailey was sitting in one of the most exclusive venues in the world, on the most exciting night of the year, in a box seat that cost somewhere around $60,000 (not to take home, just to sit in for an evening), and she looked so bored.  Another picture in the batch showed them laughing together, and in another her head is down in her phone.  Why am I looking at these pictures?  I have no idea.  But in front of them, behind the safety glass demarking luxury and opulence, stood a plastic bottle of Heinz ketchup.  Now they may have paid extra for Waygu Hotdogs, but a really nice hot dog is still a hot dog; and ketchup is kind of just--ketchup.  

One of the most exclusive and expensive condos in the world is on a luxury cruise ship that endlessly travels the world.  One of the condo owners recently sold his unit because, “Once you’ve circumnavigated the globe a few times, you’ve seen it...I was ready to do something new.”  The only problem?  There is nothing new.  When you have sat in a $60,000 seat or lived on a billion-dollar yacht, you kind of run out of new things to chase.  

Ecclesiastes 1:9 reads, "There is nothing new under the sun."  The rushing wind of God's Spirit is readily available for any who seek him with their whole heart (Jer 29:13); instead, we chase after the wind seeking more fancy hot dogs and ketchup.

Resurrected Blog, Resurrected Hope

 Wow, 10 years. 

Ten years since my last blog post.  The many blessings have also included bumps and bruises, and I feel as if now I actually have something to contribute in the way of wisdom. I will keep posting occasional updates on caringbridge.com regarding my health and that of close family.  But stop back here from time to time (or subscribe at the bottom) as I reflect on culture, faith and eternity.  For now, AI has gotten my attention along with most of the first world:

The oldest profession in the world was preceded by the oldest pastime in the world: The lust of males after the beauty of the female body.  And what we read about through the ages makes perfect sense in light of a good God and a sinful humanity.  Others have traced the trajectory of pornography through the years of pre-internet.  Most Gen Xers remember the relative inaccessibility of porn, with covered up covers stored safely behind the 7-11 clerk’s checkout counter.  Today, young teens do not merely have a rolled-up Playboy in their back pocket; instead, they have a 24/7 adult superstore with no clerks or checkout counters to be found. 

 

Unfortunately (in this case) in our modern culture technological ‘advancement’ seems to take place exponentially.  So, what may the future hold in this area with the advent of AI?  Many heard of the recent Taylor Swift images making the rounds on X with a superimposed digital nude body.  (Don’t worry, they were quickly taken down.)  Let me suggest what may be a mere matter of months away: Lightning-fast computer programs and apps that allow any subject on any screen to appear nude: from an image of a friend to a YouTube clip, and—yes, even in real-time walking down the sidewalk through Vision Pro Goggles.  The impact on marriages, families and society is overwhelming and discouraging.  Except for what I am observing this year. 

 

At many churches (in name only), let’s face it: no real transformation takes place.  At most churches long-haul life-change simply takes time, measured often in years.  But at a small, growing number of churches, real change can be observed week to week.  At one such church in Upstate SC, small groups of mostly young men and women work to address all sorts of behaviors, habits and addictions they desire to change.  Through mud, sweat and tears (it is messy), they dig into issues of family, the past, forgiveness, reconciliation; looking at how they have been hurt, honestly admitting where they have hurt others, and all this through the lens of God’s unlimited grace through Jesus.  

 

Jesus said, “I will build my Church.”  I wish it were much quicker, starting with my own heart, but it is happening, nonetheless.  And if you are not a Christian, what is taking place is difficult to explain away without supernatural forces at work.  That which appears to be shrinking is simply becoming more well defined, refined and beautiful with time.   

 

Playing in the Street

"And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets," Zech 8:5

When I was young, my mother would say, in joking frustration, "Go play in the street."  I don't think that is what the prophet Zechariah is after, when he speaks of a future day when children would do just that.  He is certainly speaking of a day of peace, joy, and laughter; when the Prince of Peace would bring peace to earth--both in part at his inauguration, and in fullness at his consummation.  

But I am also convinced that the New Heavens and New Earth will be one of activity, responsibility, engagement, and--yes, play.  When my Fort Bragg MPs patrol the roads, and we feel safe enough that our kids play in the street; when neighbors come out to play, and talk, and borrow chocolate chips; when we bring or fire pit out, and throw the football, we are mirroring and moving toward that great Day when there will be no more skinned knees, or dangers, or accidents of any kind for those whose trust is in Christ.  

Someone has called it "rolling back the effects of the fall."  In a way, I do that in different ways, not just as a neighbor, but as a Chaplain.  I am blessed that Soldiers instantly identify me by the cross on my uniform.  And as I live out my life, find balance with my family, seek to be helpful, promote justice, and bring encouragement, I am imaging Christ to a lost world.  

This morning, instead of doing PT with a platoon of Soldiers, one with a cane called me over.  He has had multiple injuries and is in severe and constant pain.  As the conversation finally got around to 'religious' issues, he opened up to me that he has a nominal faith and attends a church.  I was able to talk about Christ's suffering, his poor treatment by others, his physical pain, and the wrath of God he bore for the sake of those who believe.  That those who suffer more can identify with him in unique ways that others can't.  

As we continued to talk, I thanked God silently for calling me into military Chaplaincy.  I continue to love what I do, and I have more opportunities than ever to be stretched and communicate the gospel.  God has most certainly answered that early prayer of mine, that many have joined in praying for me! 

Even as my excitement in what I do stays strong, for the time being, I'm losing the motivation to blog regularly.  I will send a newsletter to supporting churches regularly, and if anyone would like a copy of those by e-mail, send me a message: hammted@gmail.com. 

Blessings, and thanks for continued prayers! 

Sharing Leads to Deepening

"...and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ,"  Phlm 1:6.

I have often read the jailor account in Acts 16 and thought, "Sure, when is it going to happen that someone comes to me and asks, 'What must I do to be saved?'"  Well, it finally happened. In casual conversation after church last weekend, someone mentioned to me they were wanting to be saved, but that they had to take care of some things first.  This led to a long conversation, and me communicating that there is nothing one must 'take care of' first, and her trusting Christ.   Miraculously, we didn't have any interruptions in a room full of people for at least 30 minutes.  My wife didn't come prop me up and complement me, which would not have been a bad thing.  The Navigator Director was not around for me to pass her off to.  God gave me the words I needed, the confidence, the ability to be a tool in his hands, when it seemed clear someone was ready to trust him.

During seminary on a visit to Prague, I remember watching a respected pastor have a one-on-one conversation about faith, belief in God, and spiritual issues with a young lady.  I remember his confidence, his articulateness, his boldness, and thinking, "Wow, I wish I could do that."

Some just have a gift,  But I believe God uses life experiences, and sometimes the hard knocks of life, to develop in us deeper levels of confidence and ability to just navigate waters--including waters of relationships, questions, and conversations.  When I meet young Soldiers now in my third career (and calling), and they tell me about their short lives, their home state, their interests, I can almost always find a connection point, some way in which the contours of my life have intersected with theirs.

God also gives ability where there is an exercise of faith.  As one shares their faith, they develop greater faith themselves, as the above verse hints.  Lord, thank you for "Two Ways to Live," and my buddies that learned that gospel presentation with me, and for using it as training wheels to propel me forward in the exercise of my faith.

God, thank you that multiple extraordinary and ordinary forces combine to mature us as we walk through life, growing, looking to you, looking ahead to our reward.  Thank you for using me, in increasing measure, as part of your plan, the advancement of your church, your kingdom, and your glory, amen!