Okay, it's official. This site usually has to "go dark" whenever I am off to Uganda. It's time for that again.

Unfortunately, with a demanding job, it now has to go dark even before I leave for Uganda. I'm busy preparing for the trip - amongst the dozens of other things I need to take care of.

I plan to be back on U.S. turf around September 13th, so this blog is going to be dark until then.

Think of it as a late summer break - and I'll blog you in the fall!

Political Capital

Dear Victorious,

What is meant by the term "political capital?" It seems to have some sort of a sinister connotation, especially when used in the context of a Christian organization. Would you agree?

David P. - Duncanville, TX

Dear David,

Political capital could have different meanings to different people. My understanding of it is simply the credibility or goodwill that one has built up with people who comprise the organization. In a workplace, for example, political capital would be the credibility that one has built up with his or her peers. It's a level of trust, or a level of influence. Often it is a leadership trait that makes people trust and follow an individual.

In a Christian organization, such as a church, political capital does sound a bit distasteful. However, I should think it really would emanate from the same relationship dynamics. People who have it in their church would be the people whom others look up to, trust, and follow. It would be wielded by people of influence - such as elders or other leaders - especially lay leaders.

There is always a dimension of politics that seems sinister. But if you study political science, you will find it is often simply the complex array of human dynamics at work in large collections of relationships ... such as a workplace, community or government.

Humility

Dear Victorious,

What is humility? How does one attain it?

Stephan Z. - Rockville, MD

Dear Stephan,

Humility is a very elusive character trait. The Bible regards it as highly important though. Jesus referred to Himself as "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). Aside from Jesus' living example, the Apostle Paul wrote the clearest definition of humility: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Romans 12:3) Humility is the character trait that allows you to live, act and even think with an honest estimate of yourself before God.

We show false humility when we project a negative worth on our abilities and efforts. We show pride when we inflate the value of our efforts or look down on others. True humility seeks to view our character and accomplishments honestly. Recognizing that we have succeeded in an effort does not need to be prideful ... it can be the conclusion to an honest assessment before God.

How can you acquire humility? True humility is not possible without a right relationship with God. In fact, it is such an elusive character trait that I don't believe anyone can develop it or acquire it. Rather it must be developed in us by God Himself.

Christ's Return

Dear Victorious,

We often hear about the second coming of Christ, and preachers tell us to look forward to this "glorious day." Help me understand what the practical implications of this are. Wouldn't it be just as good to die and go to heaven?

Robert P. - Bellevue, NE

Dear Robert,

No, the second coming of Christ is not the same as dying and going to heaven. They are two different events, and there are remarkable differences. Death as we know it today is a sad affair. Someone leaves this life and goes on to his or her final resting place - where they wait for Christ to return and raise them up from their slumber. During this process, of course, the human body decays - so what is raised up is a God-like spirit that will then be given a new body. We have no evidence that anyone goes to heaven when they die. People go to heaven when Christ returns for them.

What is so great about the second coming of Christ? Why should we look forward to it. I can think of several reasons. The first is physical. You see, we won't have to go through the dying process and there will be no "final resting place." Those of us who still have human bodies (i.e., are still physically alive) when Christ returns will get new ones instantly.

Beyond the physical, the more important aspects of Christ's return are significant indeed. Consider these:

1.. We'll have Christ's personal presence. We'll see Him face-to-face and be with Him forever in that state. It will be a new, permanent dimension to my relationship with Jesus.

2. We'll be redeemed from our old sinful nature. The battle that rages within us will be over. Our perfection in Christ will be complete. Think about it ... you'll be perfect!

3. All of creation will be restored. The created order will be restored. All of the world and everything in it will be as it was when God originally created it. No more will creation groan under the weight of sin.

I don't know about you, Robert, but I think these are very significant benefits to look forward to!

Denominational Differences

Dear Victorious,

Some of my family are long time Catholics. Some have married Protestants. Of those, there are different denominations. Now we have a nephew who married a Jehovah Witnesses and a cousin who is dating a Mormon. The religious arguments that erupt at family gatherings are dreadful. With the holidays coming up this year, plans are for large family gatherings. How can we cope with all these differences?

Janie A. - West Newton, PA

Dear Janie,

The thing to remember is that God isn't Catholic. Or Presbyterian. Or Mormon. The thing is that mankind has made up all of the denominations. We keep coming up with them. The newer ones have always been heresy. Christians were persecuted centuries ago - for joining religions that we consider mainstream today. That is likely to continue until Christ returns.

The first thing we should notice then in our religious differences is how we are to regard them. Titus 3:9-11 gives the clearest direction that I know if. It says, "But avoid foolish controversies ... and arguments ... about the law (religion) because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."

All of the religions you mentioned seem to have Christ as their foundation. So rather than focus on the religious differences, I'd suggest you focus on the religious similarities. Make an announcement at the Thanksgiving table - that there will be no tolerance for religious argument. It doesn't honor God in any religion. Instead, ask everyone to say what they are grateful to Christ for. Or ask them to name one characteristic of Christ that they most appreciate.

If after you've gently tried to correct, then you must boldly confront. If you still get no cooperation, you can be sure the individuals who continue to argue religion are not righteous people at all. You should stop inviting them to family gatherings ... and you should tell them why. Perhaps you can lead them to Mark 9, where the chosen disciples questioned Jesus about what appears to be the first "break away" denomination. Jesus response? He said in Mark 9:40 that, "... if they are not against us, then they are for us." What He meant was that they may not have it exactly right. But they are focused on Jesus. So let us be glad for that.

May your holidays be happy. And may the spirit of Christ transcend all the religions at your dinner table!

Bible Errors?

Dear Victorious,

There is a lady in our church (who lives nearby) that says she is re-writing the Bible. She claims that God's told her the Bible is "full of errors." She believes she is called by God to correct those errors. Further, she claims that she simply holds the pencil and the Lord does the writing for her. This woman and her husband have been very active in our church for years. As such, she is a trusted, spiritually mature woman.

What do you make of this?

T.J. - Sheridan, WY

Dear T.J.,

I think we have to look at the definition of spiritually mature. People who are truly spiritually mature would never display such behavior. So that makes your fellow parishioner a pharisee, at best. At worst, she is a false prophet, an Antichrist. Satan has entered her body and is apparently controlling her mind.

This is typical of Satan's tactics though. He worms his way into otherwise spiritually sound doctrine --- and perverts it. So he got into a decent church, found a devoted church-goer, and then proceeded to contaminate. It's what he does.

If you haven't already, you should report this woman to your church elders. Her activity must be confronted - in love of course. If she does not repent, she must be expelled (from your church). Everyone in the church must "shake the dust off their shoes" with her.

Psychology

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of psychologists and psychiatrists? Isn't it better to lean on things like Biblical truth and prayer? I mean, are these so-called "professionals" even Biblical?

Vern N. - Harker Heights, TX

Dear Vern,

You're asking three different questions ... it sounds like you've already decided the answer! Seriously, it is always better to start with Biblical truth and prayer. They are the anchors of sound thinking. That said, the world is a difficult place. Sometimes there can be influences beyond just flawed thinking. There can be organic, physiological problems that can interfere with sound thinking. (Closed head injuries or strokes, for example, can cause uncontrollable outbursts of anger.) Trained professionals are qualified to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action.

Of course I am partial to Christian professionals. I would never want to work with a psychologist or psychiatrist that didn't share my values and core beliefs. But I would never hesitate to consult them (or a pastor or other qualified ministry leader) who might help be correct my flawed thinking --- using Scripture and prayer as the anchors to do so.

Good Friendships

Dear Victorious,

I often have trouble making and keeping good friends. What do you believe sustains great friendships?

Doreen G. - Morristown, NJ

Dear Doreen,

I am no expert when it comes to friendships. However, I believe that whatever sustains great friendships is probably very similar to what sustains any great relationships. Sacrificial love for one another, plentiful amounts of forgiveness, and a healthy dose of respect and humility.

The problem that many of us face is that we go into friendships looking for whatever we might get out of it. "I enjoy his or her company," for example, sounds like an innocuous statement. But that makes it about you. A better statement might be, "I want him or her to enjoy themselves around me." Your desire to be there for them must be greater than your desire for them to be there for you.

Nuclear Threats

Dear Victorious,

There seem to be more and more hostile nations threatening the security of the world with nuclear arsenals. We read that there are sufficient nuclear weapons in existence today to actually destroy the world! How should Christians regard this threat?

Worried

Dear Worried,

Psalm 93:1 tells us that, "The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved." You can take that to the bank. Nobody is going to destroy the world until God is ready to have it destroyed. So from a Christian perspective, we should have confidence that God is still in control. We should take comfort in the fact that God is more powerful than all of earth's hostile nations combined.

There are numerous places in the Bible which tell Christians that we are not to be afraid of anything. We are to have no fear. If fear tries to overtake us - we are to turn it over to the Lord. His perfect love drives out fear. In other words, when someone is in intimate relationship with Christ, fear cannot survive ... much less intimidate, threaten or control.

The world is a frightening place to be. But it always has been. Today's threats are no more intimidating or frightening for us than the threats that people faced centuries ago. And God's Word is appropriate today ... just as it was back then.

It is interesting to read of threats of all types. But if we spend time dwelling on such things, we will lose our focus on Christ. Don't go there. Resist the temptation to get caught up in the hoopla of hand-wringing that our society engages in.

From a practical perspective, the Bible tells us that when God destroys the earth (again), He will do it by fire. It occurs to me that a mass arsenal of nuclear weapons could be playing right into God's hands. Perhaps they will be used to destroy the world --- by God Himself at the appointed time. But like I said, Christians should never fear God's will. He is in charge and no harm can come to us - regardless of what happens in the world.

Conflict's Source

Dear Victorious,

What do you think is the source of most conflict between people who otherwise love each other?

Carol Ann - Dublin, GA

Dear Carol Ann,

I believe pride plays a critical role in all types of conflict between people. Beyond that, I'm pretty certain that ignorance and selfishness are also at the root of the conflict. Notice the absence of the issue that people argue about. Those are usually not what the conflict is about. In other words, whatever you and I are arguing about is probably not the source of the conflict.

Like Paul

Dear Victorious,

I've read about the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. It is amazing to me that God could take such a sinful man (who literally killed Christ-followers) and create such a powerful ministry impact with him. What can I do to be used by God in such ways?

Kevin Z. - Alliance, OH

Dear Kevin,

Look closely at how Paul related to God and how God used him. God did not waste any part of Paul's background. He used his training, his mind, his position in society - and even Paul's weaknesses. All became useful to God as He deployed Paul in ministry work. But - and this is big - Paul first had to surrender his entire being to God.

If you want to do great things for God, focus on surrendering yourself to God.

Problem Solving

Dear Victorious,

You've blogged in the past about the importance of using the right criteria to make decisions. How should Christians go about the business of decision-making?

Charles A. - Frederick, MD

Dear Charles,

Well, it would all depend on the situation I suppose. But a fundamental guideline for all decisions that Christians could ever need to make would probably include the following steps:

1. Analyze the problem thoroughly to uncover (or expose) the underlying or core issues. Circumstances (and feelings) can be deceptive. So it's important to spend time making sure we've focused on the true causes of the problem in the first place.

2. Determine the Biblical values that should guide our actions. Asking, "What would Jesus do?" is a very good place to start. Looking at the character and nature of God in the context of this decision I have to make will help me make a better decision.

And of course, you would not want to approach either of these steps without prayer. That goes without saying!

Christian Fellowship

Dear Victorious,

We often hear and read about Christian Fellowship. It seems that fellowship is an often used term in Christian culture. But what does it really mean? How is it really achieved?

Tom G. - DeSoto, TX

Dear Tom,

Christian fellowship means people who are united in relationships. It is that simple. You don't accomplish a Christian fellowship when you get a bunch of Christians together. Rather it is accomplished when those Christians enter into deep relationships with each other. They love one another. They bear each other's burdens. They rejoice with each other. They worship together. They know each other intimately and care for each other deeply.

Real Christian fellowship has several important dynamics. I can think of three though that we should pay particular attention to:

1. Our fellowship is grounded in the testimony of God's Word. Without this underlying strength, togetherness is impossible. Aside from God's truth we are not really capable of unity.

2. Christian fellowship is mutual. It depends on the unity of all believers. If any party does not commit to and work for this unity, the fellowship is not possible.

3. True fellowship is both spiritual and social. And it is renewed daily. It is made possible only through a living relationship with Christ. In other words, as we relate to Christ, so will we relate to other Christians.

Prayer Requests

Dear Victorious,

What is the most important thing that we could pray for?

Hank F. - Sparks, NV

Dear Hank,

Well, some of the greatest Bible characters prayed for things like wisdom or courage. I think it's good that people pray for strength, patience and discernment too. But I believe there are two things that would be most important to pray for.

King David, in the book of Psalm 86:11, prayed that God would, "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

What David was really asking for was:

1. God, teach me how to live, so that I can live life on your terms (and not my own).
2. God, give me an undivided heart, so that I may have an appropriate perspective about you.

Honestly, I can think of nothing that would be more important than these two prayer requests. They seem to trump everything else I could ever imagine praying for.