Joshua 20

once again we read of the cities of refuge, except this time God chose them.

It's interesting that of the three west of the Jordan River, two became national capitals. East of the Jordan was one we still hear about from time to time.

Review: LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD! 3rd ed. by John Piper

I actually had a copy of this book (2nd ed.) for a couple of years and never got around to reading it. That's a shame, because it's a very good book.

A lot of my reluctance probably had to do with the author. If modern Calvinists had a Pope, it would be John Piper. Since he and I disagree on so much, I went through a long time when I just didn't read his books. Of course, Piper is a great writer and I always learn from him, so it was only a matter of time 'til I came back.

Surprisingly, there's little Calvinism in this book. It builds a solid case for missions first from Scripture, then from experience and logic. There is a good deal on becoming the kind of missionary people will be glad to see coming, and Piper explains why the Gospel really is good news for the world.

I enjoyed reading the book, and recommend it to anyone interested in spreading the Gospel, here or overseas. It's easy to see why it's become a standard in the field. I wish I'd read it sooner.

Joshua 19

The rest of the tribes got their inheritances, as did Joshua.

Remember that waaay back in the book of Numbers, Joshua was one of the faithful spies. He was promised a piece of the land, and in this chapter he got it.

Joshua 18

interestingly, God promised to divvy up the land, and he chose to do it through lots.

After all, nothing's random.

Don't lie

There's some wiggle room in "Thou shalt not bear false witness ." That's how most people have heard it. I've heard plenty of analysis that pretty much lets people off the hook. What it comes down to, though, is "Don't lie."

Not a lot of wiggle room there. 

But what about...? Don't lie. But what if...? Don't lie. It doesn't say, "Don't lie unless..." It says, "Don't lie."

So don't lie.

Joshua 17

Not only did apparently no one drive out all of the Canaanites from their territories, but some were actually afraid of them.

Remember that not doing what God says shows a lack of trust in him. Being afraid of the Canaanites ment that they weren't sure who was stronger.

Joshua 16

I'm not going to lie to you. This is boring.

My good friend and first Sunday School teacher David Alexander once said that if it's in the Bible, it's there for a reason. It's not there for everyone, though.

One year

it's been about a year since I got an iPad. A family I'd never met and haven't seen since gave it to me. I don't know the exact date, but it was around the first of December, and that seems easy to remember. Anyway, I'm very grateful.

But what have I used it for? I believe with all my heart that whatever I have should be used to advance the kingdom of God, and I've tried to do that. I've also ranted a good bit, but I won't tell if you won't.

I've also read around 125 books. This is partly because I love to read, and party because I want to stay ready to evangelize. I don't know if I'm going to get better or not, but I'm not going to stop trying, and I'm going to be ready to go when it's time. 

Have I accomplished anything with the incredible blessings I've been given? I'll find out one day.

Joshua 15

Much of the chapter-- much of the rest of the book of Joshua, in fact -- is very dry. Tucked in the middle of a long real estate definition is a story about Caleb.

It pays to read the whole chapter.

Review: RESOLVING PERSONAL CONFLICT by Ken Sane and Kevin Johnson

There isn't anything anti-Christian in this, but not much particularly Christian,either. It's based largely on modern psychology with a little Jesus on top.

Honestly, this book made little impression on me. I wouldn't recommend it on that basis alone.

Joshua 14

Caleb and Joshua were the faithful spies sent from Kadesh-barnea. Because of his faith, Caleb was allowed to pick his portion of the land.

Naturally, at the age of 85, Caleb chose not only an unconquered city, not only a fortified unconquered city, but a fortified unconquered city full of giants.

'Cause that's just the kind of guy he was.

Joshua 13

Even though Joshua had grown old, the land still wasn't entirely taken.

Just like God promised, remember?

Don't steal

This one's very straightforward. Read it however you like, in whatever version you like, and it's hard to get anything else out of it.

These are called the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Suggestions. Failing to obey them reveals a serious lack of trust in God. This one's no exception. The thief doesn't trust God to take care of him; he trusts his own ability.

Of course, if his abilities were that good, he wouldn't have to steal in the first place.

Joshua 12

This chapter is a list of the kings defeated by Israel under Moses and Joshua.

It's dull, but vital. This didn't happen in some distant, mythological past. God gave a specific place to specific people at a specific time. He invites us to check his work.

Joshua 11

If this looks different, it's because I'm trying something different. I doubt anyone will mind too much. 

This chapter covers the conquest of northern Canaan. We're told that God hardened the hearts of the Canaanites so they wouldn't make a deal like the people of Gibeon. 

 He hadn't promised the land to anyone else, and he wanted the people already there out. 

The real American religion

A few weeks ago, I wrote that football was a religion is many, and I stand by that. But while I was typing that, I realized what the actual religion of America is.

Simply put, the religion of America is America.

Before we go any farther, let's nip some objections in the bud. I don't hate this country; I love it, and I'm glad I was born here. I'm also not a godless Commie. Communism is a dilapidated building on a nonpartisan foundation, which only eliminated pickpockets by eliminating pockets. As for godless ... love for God is why I say what I do.

It's unfortunate and wrong, but we've always identified bibical Israel and America. I said it a while back, but nothing can be Christian. People can be, but things can't. Ergo, this isn't a Christian nation.

Let me repeat that. This isn't a Christian nation. It's also not a nation of Christians, as I've heard it put. Think about it. If this country has 200 million Christians, why does Hollywood keep putting out movies that are deliberately provocative? Why does TV get more offensive as it goes along? Why does it seem like the entire world is dead-set on using our worst instincts to separate us from a little money?

Why are we excited when our children learn to kill because someone told them to, to protect a country whose very constitution places it in opposition to God? I think Leopard Ravenhill put a very well when he asked, "Would we send our daughters to have sex with the enemy if it were for 'the good of the country'? Yet we send our sons to kill for the same reason!"

America didn't die to save you. You weren't created in the image of America. It's all well and good to say you love God and country, but what happens when you have to choose?

Joshua 10

Where the author of the book gave six chapters to this conquest of Jericho and two to Ai, the rest of the southern part of Canaan took less than a chapter.

It helped that five kings allied together, but it is clear a pattern had been established.

Review: PARALYZED BUT NOT POWERLESS by Kate Adamson

I read this on my wife's recommendation. Since she's smarter then me, I've learned over the years to pay a little attention to what she says.

Mrs. Adamson had the same kind of stroke that I did, but our circumstances were very different. Because of those differences, I can't honestly say that this book helped me.

I can appreciate the work that went into this, and the fact that so much credit is given to God, and I'm certainly glad for anything that gets the word out about this rare condition. In the end, though, this is a story of personal triumph, and that's just not a genre I like.

Joshua 9

The Gibeonites had a terrible choice. God had told his people to destroy everyone in this land. The only way to save their lives was to trick the Israelites into ensuring them.

What would you have done?

Joshua 8

Ai 2: The Rematch.

Guess how it went this time.

Don't sleep around

The commandment actually says, "Don't commit adultery", but our culture has so completely lost the meaning of that phrase that I found it necessary to put a different way.

It doesn't just mean you're not supposed to cheat on your husband or wife. It's more than that. Adultery is having sex with another you aren't married to. That includes when you're single as well.

And that still isn't all. Jesus equated lustful thoughts with adultery. Just thinking about it is as bad as doing it. As always, he was spot-on. By the time we sleep with someone, we've rolled it around in our hearts dozens of times. I assume, anyway.

I've never physically cheated on my wife, and I don't think she would cheat on me either. I know we both have in our heads, though.

And that's what matters.

Joshua 7

After taking the mighty city of Jericho, the Israelites are defeated by what can only be described as the podunk little town of Ai.

I don't think it's giving away too much to say it isn't God's fault.

Joshua 6

This is the part of the book everybody knows about.

I'm no expert, but it seems like God gave them a thoroughly ridiculous plan for taking a city. And then he never told his people to do it that way again.

Tradition for its own sake

A while back someone accused me of saying that I hated tradition. That person was incorrect. She also had a serious case of selective hearing and numerous other problems with me, but this is neither the time nor the place to talk about that.

What I actually said was,"I hate tradition for tradition's sake."

We Southern Baptists are bad about this. We tend to think apostolic Christianity is whatever our grannies did. Who else would call something "contemporary" when it came from the 1970s, as opposed to "traditional", which is how they did it in the 1950s.

We have a seriously skewed view of time.

But we're here to talk about tradition.

I'm not against having traditions. I'm thankful for those who came before me, and I'm glad to have giants on whose shoulders to stand. We should build on the foundation we have, but not be bound by it.

Too often, though, we think our job as Christians is to pass along the way we were taught. It's not. I doubt many of our traditions are in Scriptrure. That means at some point, someone made them up. If they don't work anymore, someone can stop them.

But that takes courage.

Joshua 5

Circumcision was the sign of being part of the people of God.

Does this mean that the generation that conquered the Promised Land wasn't part of the people of God for 40 years? It's something to think about...

Review: THE SILMARILLION by JRR Tolkein

This is a prequel to both The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and consists of a collection of Elvish legends. It is not so much a coherent story as a group of texts written throughout Tolkein's life and hammered into shape after his death by his son, Christopher.

I found it easy to admire, but hard to love. Tolkein created Middle Earth as a place to put his Elvish language, and saw these legends as far more important than his more popular works. That may be true, but "important" doesn't equal "interesting".

To put it bluntly, this is a boring book. I can only recommend it for the most obsessive Tolkein fan.

Joshua 4

The next generation was always on God's mind.

Crossing the Jordan was in a big deal, that he wanted remembered.

Joshua 3

What was so special about the city of Adam?

Nothing that we know of, but that's where the waters of the Jordan stopped.

Don't murdrer

This seems easy to keep. I haven't killed anyone, and I assume you haven't either. So we can pretty much check this one off, right?

Maybe not.

Jesus equated murdrer and hatred. Wanting to kill someone was as bad as actually killing him. Lack of opportunity or courage for sin is no excuse for sin.

I've hated. Everyone I know has. I'm pretty sure you have, too. If what Jesus said is true,we're all murderers, and we all need forgiveness.

Joshua 2

it's important to remember that even at this stage Israel wasn't entirely homogenous.

God has always taken anyone who would obey him, even lying whores.

Joshua 1

"Be strong and courageous."

Even though God was giving them the land, the people still needed to do their part.

Closed-minded?

"The purpose of an open mind is the same as that of an open trap: to close it eventually on something solid." -- GK Chesterton 

Many believe Christians are closed-minded because we believe we have the only way to salvation. At the same time we're accused of believing in fairy tales.

Which is it? Too credulous or too incredulous?

The fact is that I'm more open-minded than any secularist I know. To believe the Bible, we  Christians have to believe that at least two people walked on water. We have to believe that the earth's rotation stopped or slowed, that dead people came back to life, and that not everything has a materialistic explanation.

Doesn't sound very closed-minded to me.