Biblical Principles
Elijah's Agony and Ecstasy
Friday, January 07 , 2011
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.
Learning to make up your mind and stand for something is a great attribute in the Legislature. On the other hand, taking a stand can leave you a little lonely, even feeling like the ‘last man standing’ on occasion.
Nothing made me more irritable than fellow legislators who could not make up their mind. Whether it was whom they were going to vote for to become Speaker or how they were going to vote on a bill or amendment, it was just exasperating to deal with a ‘weak kneed’ and often ‘two-faced’ Member. These Members would tell some folks they were for a bill and others they were against the bill.
For example, a Member who is campaigning to become Speaker of the House will print pledge cards for Members to sign as a pledge of their support. It was almost funny in the Speaker’s race after me several Members had signed pledge cards for both Speaker candidates!
Taking a stand can have consequences, too. I remember some lonely moments as a freshman member when I had a face-off with a senior Republican healthcare committee chairman who wanted to pass more needless regulations. The regulation that he wanted would have made it almost impossible for the widespread dissemination of lifesaving automated external defibrillators that are so prevalent today. On a committee with over twenty members, I was the lone man standing against the proposal. Somehow I eventually convinced the other members to go my way, but I paid the price for the next two years.
As we continue our study of 1 Kings we are introduce to Elijah the Prophet. Solomon died in 930 B.C and was succeeded by his son Rehoboam under whose poor leadership nation of Israel was divided to avoid a civil war. The northern ten tribes became the nation of Israel, and the southern two tribes encompassing Jerusalem were know as Judah. The chronicles of the succession of the kings of Israel and Judah provide many abject lessons about the character of God and human nature.
A continuing theme was the people’s ambiguity of allegiance to God as they were followed any exciting fad, including the worship of pagan deities worshiped by the non-Israelites and neighboring countries, the citizens of which they seemed to have freely intermarried. Of course, this ongoing flagrant violation of the first commandment would be their undoing.
This week we are introduced to King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, a Sidonian princess who worshiped Baal. It is worthy to note that although there were many evil Kings of Israel, Ahab was said to be worse than all who went before him. Jezebel was an ardent worshiper of Baal and used her considerable influence on Ahab to increase the number of places of worship of Baal. Jezebel also greatly multiplied the number of priests who served Baal to the point the where Baal worship threatened to completely eclipse the worship of Israel’s true God.
Fed up with the religious ambivalence of the Israelites, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest between God and Baal on Mount Carmel.
“…and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”
18 “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.” I Kings 18:16-21
Elijah set up a showdown between the priests of Baal and himself to settle once and for all whose god was the true god. However, it seems that Elijah’s angst was directed more toward the vacillating Israelites than the prophets of Baal. Elijah knew God could take care of Baal, but what about the lukewarm hearts of the people? Elijah demanded that the people choose one god or the other, but they simply were unwilling or unable do it. How do you think Elijah felt? How do you think God feels when you and I try to have one foot firmly planted in the world and the other in the Kingdom of Heaven? John relates Jesus’ message to those who run hot and cold in Revelation 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Elijah was plenty brave enough to stand up to King Ahab, but how did he deal with the deafening silence of the people? Well, he turned it over to God, like we should – through prayer:
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:36-37
Elijah did what he could and turned the rest over to God, and God did what he does best - he did the awesome, improbable and miraculous thing! Then, the people fell down and acknowledged that Yahweh was God! Some of us have to feel the scar in Jesus’ side; others of us have stronger faith. Our goal should be moving our personal faith in the positive direction of putting everything in God’s hands.
Yet, after a great victory we can be vulnerable. Within a few hours Elijah went from a literal mountain top-experience to a hunted man on the run. How could this be?
1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. 1 Kings 19:1-5
After defeating the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel swore to kill Elijah. Hearing the threat, Elijah fled to hide out in the wilderness. Jezebel was no idle threat. She meant business. Elijah’s witness was neutralized by his fear. His fear then became self-pity, and then hopelessness.
God spoke to Elijah in the wilderness asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This question is very similar to God’s question to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-9. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that God is always here with us. When we think all is lost God has a plan.
“And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, …” I Kings 19:9-15
In an ironic turnaround God had to show His strength to Elijah the Prophet just as He did for the people of Israel at Mt. Carmel. Even a prophet can ‘hit a wall’ it seems. In the rest of the story, God helps Elijah shake off his fear and hopelessness by reengaging Elijah in a meaningful task, putting hope back in Elijah’s heart and purpose to his life.
This story shows that as humans our faith comes and goes, just like Elijah. Who then is always faithful? God is always strong, always present, always available to those who seek Him.
Remember, when you’re down and out God is there. Give Him a shout! He will put hope in your heart and give purpose to your life. Trust Him. Read More...
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Agape Love - Unity in the Community
Thursday, July 15 , 2010
31But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31
Some say that Florida is really five states, not one. There’s no better proof of that than the sixty days each spring when Florida legislators from around the State descend upon the otherwise sleepy college town of Tallahassee. From the rural Panhandle to transnational Miami, and everywhere in between, state legislators bring their special and unique talents and dreams for the future of the Great State of Florida.
At first blush one would wonder how this menagerie of politicians could accomplish anything. Yet, believe it or not, during the closing weeks of the legislative session the vast majority of all bills pass unanimously. What unifying force prevents this cacophony of diversity from devolving into permanent deadlock? What’s the secret?
Like the members of the ancient Christian church at Corinth, the Florida State legislators are a diverse group of gifted, ambitious, and to a large degree, self-oriented individuals, many of whom are seeking acclaim and prestige. Whether a collegial body such as a church or the legislature can succeed at its work depends less on the individual gifts of its members than whether the members will embrace the higher need of unifying the majority behind common goal. So, what gift is needed to reach the goal of unity? Read More...
Christian Olympians
Friday, July 02 , 2010
1 Corinthians 8-11
“When the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.” Edith Hamilton
In the years leading up to the 1996 Republican takeover of the Florida House, the mantra of the Republican leadership was a return to the traditional ideals of ‘less taxes, less regulation, more personal freedom, more individual responsibility and family values.’ This mantra resonated with Floridians who placed their trust in the Republican Party to lead the Florida House for the first time in 122 years.
So, what did the Republican concept of ‘person freedom’ involve? In application, the ideal of ‘personal freedom’ must be tempered by the restraining force of ‘individual responsibility.’ Otherwise, there would be no distinction between a Republican and a Libertarian. Responsibility necessarily connotes self-discipline, a rather pesky limitation on personal freedom in modern American culture.
And, so it was in ancient Corinth in the times of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. In answering a list of practical questions from the new Corinthian Christians, Paul reveals that Christian ‘freedom’ is more than meets the eye. Paul explains the right balance between freedom in Christ and the concomitant responsibilities in its exercise – an effort that takes discipline. Paul uses the analogy of training for the ancient Olympics to impress upon his readers that freedom is nothing without discipline.
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Mixed Marriages
Friday, June 25 , 2010
Mixed Marriages - 1 Corinthians 7
As a new member of the Florida House without much responsibility, I burned off stress by jogging early in the morning before going up to Capitol Hill. As I pushed myself up some of the steep hills surrounding the Capitol, I noticed an occasional pressing chest pain. Was it stress, or worse? After a trip to the family doctor and a referral to a cardiologist, I landed in St. Joseph’s Hospital for an angioplasty in order to rule out a coronary blockage.
At the hospital I was prepped for the test by a flurry of nurses and left on a gurney awaiting my turn in the operating room. Since Melane was not allowed in the staging area, I was all alone, or so I thought, and more than a little worried about what was to follow. I’ll never forget what happened next, and I will never stop thanking God for putting me where he wanted me that day.
“Are you a pastor?” “Sir, are you a preacher?”
I looked around and there was one of my nurses looking at me. She was in her late twenties, with a sweet smile, and she was talking to me. All I could muster, timidly, was, “No, I’m not a pastor…. But I am a deacon in my church… and a Sunday school teacher.”
“You just looked like a preacher,” she said, “So calm and all.”
As she lingered, I asked her what was troubling her. Nurse Sara me the story of her and her husband and two young daughters having moved to Tampa from Indiana in search of better jobs and a better life for their kids (the same reason I moved to Florida in 1988). Yet, Sara’s heart was aching because her husband would not take the family to church. Sara’s inability to satisfy her motherly love for her children by fulfilling their need to know Christ’s love was literally breaking her heart. She needed answers.
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Sexual Immorality in the Church
Friday, June 18 , 2010
When I was elected to the Florida Legislature I was about as close to having fallen off of the proverbial ‘turnip truck’ as they come. I’d only been to Tallahassee once on a Chamber ‘Day in the Capitol’ trip before I was elected. I really had no clue about ‘inside politics’ and the political ‘environment’ in the Florida Capitol. It didn’t take long to learn that Tallahassee was replete with ‘special interests’ employing literally thousands of ‘government relations’ professionals (commonly known as ‘lobbyists’) to make sure their clients got ‘their way’ in the Legislature.
As I was settling in to this new arena I’ll never forget the day a prominent lobbyist, a former legislator in fact, explained to me how, in his view, legislators were to deal with lobbyists. He said, in the most offhand way, “Son, lobbyists expect you to eat their food, drink their whiskey and spend the night with their women, and still vote against them!” I was somewhat taken back at this condensed code of ethics (of course I didn’t show it), but over time I heard this saying time and time again and always found it as crude and vulgar as having heard it for the first time.
It is sad to say, but over my time in Tallahassee I saw more than a few legislators fall prey to the temptation of lobbyist provided sexual favors, in fact some legislators totally abandoned their families at home, divorced their spouses and married or ‘took up with’ lobbyists who had been assigned to ‘handle’ them by their employers. There were some prominent cases of this bad behavior involving the highest leaders of the Legislature, but no one spoke out for fear of reprisal. In fact, the tendency of the Tallahassee ‘crowd’ was to rationalize the bad behavior in some way or another.
In First Corinthians 5, Paul continues his constructive criticism of the new Corinthian Christians’ world view. In the first four chapters of First Corinthians, Paul set the Corinthians straight about their over-adulation of various preachers and their over-critical attitude toward other church leaders, such as Paul. In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul moves on to the issue of sexual immorality in the church.
Paul was certainly not afraid to excoriate the church at Corinth over the Corinthians’ view that the sexual immorality in their congregation was ‘no big deal.’ In Chapter 5 of First Corinthians, Paul ‘gets in the face’ of the Corinthian church over their rationalization of the sexual immorality in their midst. Read More...
As I was settling in to this new arena I’ll never forget the day a prominent lobbyist, a former legislator in fact, explained to me how, in his view, legislators were to deal with lobbyists. He said, in the most offhand way, “Son, lobbyists expect you to eat their food, drink their whiskey and spend the night with their women, and still vote against them!” I was somewhat taken back at this condensed code of ethics (of course I didn’t show it), but over time I heard this saying time and time again and always found it as crude and vulgar as having heard it for the first time.
It is sad to say, but over my time in Tallahassee I saw more than a few legislators fall prey to the temptation of lobbyist provided sexual favors, in fact some legislators totally abandoned their families at home, divorced their spouses and married or ‘took up with’ lobbyists who had been assigned to ‘handle’ them by their employers. There were some prominent cases of this bad behavior involving the highest leaders of the Legislature, but no one spoke out for fear of reprisal. In fact, the tendency of the Tallahassee ‘crowd’ was to rationalize the bad behavior in some way or another.
In First Corinthians 5, Paul continues his constructive criticism of the new Corinthian Christians’ world view. In the first four chapters of First Corinthians, Paul set the Corinthians straight about their over-adulation of various preachers and their over-critical attitude toward other church leaders, such as Paul. In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul moves on to the issue of sexual immorality in the church.
Paul was certainly not afraid to excoriate the church at Corinth over the Corinthians’ view that the sexual immorality in their congregation was ‘no big deal.’ In Chapter 5 of First Corinthians, Paul ‘gets in the face’ of the Corinthian church over their rationalization of the sexual immorality in their midst. Read More...
Christian Followship?
Friday, June 11 , 2010
“I’ll be with you as long as I can, Johnnie.”
Loyalty is a precious commodity in politics. When I asked fellow legislators to support my bills they would often say, “I’ll be with you as long as I can, Johnnie.” If I heard that once, I heard it a thousand times.
I learned a lot about loyalty from Speaker John Thrasher. He was a strong leader with a pro-business, pro-taxpayer, anti-trial lawyer legislative agenda. It’s no surprise that he was tapped to take over the reins of the Florida Republican Party after its recent problems.
As a relatively inexperienced legislator, I was surprised when Speaker Thrasher called me into his office and said, “Johnnie, I am appointing you chairman of the judiciary committee for the next two years because I need someone who I can trust to push a pro-business tort reform package through the committee process.” Thrasher also told me that I would be working under the guidance of a senior legislator, Tom Warner, a lawyer from Stuart, Florida, who would be serving as chairman of the judicial council which was set up to supervise several committees, including the judiciary committee.
I don’t think Warner or I had a full understanding of the ‘heat’ and vicious attacks that would come from the Florida Association of Trial Lawyers over the next two years. The trial attorneys hated tort reform.
There were many days when it would have been easier to give up on tort reform and tell Speaker Thrasher that, “I stayed with you as long as I could.” Yet, my loyalty to Thrasher inspired me to follow through with my commitment.
Unfortunately, there came a point where Rep. Warner ‘bailed’ on the Speaker the on tort reform bill and resigned his position as judicial council chair. As a result, the Speaker appointed me to fill Warner’s position as chair of the judicial council, and the rest is history. I stuck to it and made sure that tort reform passed.
Over my years in the Legislature I learned a lot about leadership, but the tort reform battle taught me a lot about “followship” - the satisfaction gained from simply being loyal to something or someone.
In Chapter 4 of First Corinthians, Paul continues his scolding of the church at Corinth about the factions within their fledgling church. After pointing out the foolishness of prideful church cliques in Chapter 3, Paul moves on to confront Read More...
Asking Forgiveness - Leviticus 6
Friday, May 14 , 2010
Explore the Bible Setting – Leviticus 1-16
This week we are leaving the Book of Exodus and moving through the first 16 chapters of Leviticus. God has redeemed the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt adopting them as his chosen people and giving them the law at Mr. Sinai. Next, the people will be taught how to worship their God.
Sacrifices to the ‘gods’ originated in antiquity. The Bible documents the early sacrificial worship by Cain, Able, Noah, and the Biblical patriarchs. The spontaneous offerings to the gods in primitive civilizations are well documented, and typically included human sacrifices, but not Jehovah God. It is said that Abraham learned that our God’s character was entirely different from other ‘gods’ of antiquity when Jehovah God intervened to provide a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. Through the substitution of the lamb for Isaac and the Passover lamb for the Israelites, God revealed his loving and forgiving character.
Above all, Leviticus provides foreshadowing of God’s ultimate plan to sacrifice his only son for the sins of the world.
The Goal of Godly Leadership
During one of the last legislative sessions while I served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, there was a serious split within the Republican caucus over whether the legislature should repeal an upcoming telephone rate increase. I pushed hard for it; others were against it. Tensions were high and the news media had a field day fanning the flames of discord between fellow Republicans. The floor debate was emotional as the bill was debated and passed by a close margin. As a result, the session ended with a deep personal wedge driven between many of the members. I was not immune from the damage that the rancor inflicted on my relationship with fellow legislators.
After a few months, the Lord laid it on my heart to meet with some of my legislative colleagues to make sure there were no lingering hard feelings, and if there were, to ask for forgiveness so we could put the episode behind us.
With no small amount of trepidation I began to set appointments. I started each meeting by asking my friends to forgive me if I they felt that I had not treated them fairly. Without exception the unanimous response was ,,,, Read More...
Giving From the Heart
Friday, May 07 , 2010
When I stroked a check to the IRS this year I never thought about giving more than I owed to Uncle Sam. How about you? No? I didn’t think so. Why?
Marvin Olasky, the guru of ‘compassionate conservatism’ explains it best:
The exact opposite of the direction in Washington under the current regime, the idea of compassionate conservatism is the straight forward concept that American social ills are best addressed by persons to whom the such work is a ‘cause’ for, not a ‘caseload’ of a government bureaucrat. Government cannot put hope in someone’s heart or give purpose to their life. Only those inspired to give of their time and money are capable of changing America. What, or who, will inspire someone to give more than asked? After their miraculous delivery from bondage, the new Israeli nation was inspired by Moses to give and give and give to the building of the new tabernacle. What inspires you to give abundantly of your time or money or both? Read More...
Marvin Olasky, the guru of ‘compassionate conservatism’ explains it best:
“If you were given $500 that you had to give to a poverty-fighting group of some kind--governmental, religious, community, whatever--how many of you would send it to the federal government…? [Are you kidding?] How many would send it to a state or local government? [Ugh] How many of you know of a poverty-fighting charity that would spend the $500 more effectively than the government? [That’s how America works]… If nearly all of us would choose to direct funds to groups not controlled by government, why must we collectively direct our funds to groups that are under governmental control? Why not find new ways to aid organizations with strong track records in fighting alcoholism and drug addiction, tutoring children, or motivating ex-cons to avoid further trouble?”
Compassionate Conservatism
The exact opposite of the direction in Washington under the current regime, the idea of compassionate conservatism is the straight forward concept that American social ills are best addressed by persons to whom the such work is a ‘cause’ for, not a ‘caseload’ of a government bureaucrat. Government cannot put hope in someone’s heart or give purpose to their life. Only those inspired to give of their time and money are capable of changing America. What, or who, will inspire someone to give more than asked? After their miraculous delivery from bondage, the new Israeli nation was inspired by Moses to give and give and give to the building of the new tabernacle. What inspires you to give abundantly of your time or money or both? Read More...
A Leadership Void
Sunday, March 14 , 2010
Secretary of State Al Haig’s ‘I am in control here’ declaration following the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan will go down in history as one of the most ridiculed attempts to fill a leadership vacuum. Today, Godly leaders must be mindful of the potential fallout from real or perceived leadership breakdowns and learn how to appropriately lead their constituencies back onto the right path. In Exodus 32, Moses deals with a significant leadership void. We can all learn something from this chapter in Israeli history and apply it to our own journey of faith.
Biblical Setting – Exodus 32 - 35
As Genesis is the book of creation and fall, Exodus is the book of redemption. Enslaved in Egypt for 400 hundred years, the Israelis lived ‘bitter lives’ cried out for help. Acting through Moses, God interceded to rescue his people sending them into the desert in a journey into nationhood. Yet, with new freedom came new responsibility, and the people ‘grumbled’ and complained that it would have been better to have died in Egypt than be lost in the desert.
The Golden Calf – Exodus 32
Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to receive instruction from God and was gone for forty days. The Israelis faith waned, and the masses demanded that Aaron, as second in command, fill the leadership vacuum. Aaron acquiesced and crafted a new, visible ‘god’ to go before the Israelites – the golden calf… Read More...
