I sent out a tweet that said, “Is Christopher Hitchens in heaven or hell? The brain dies in about 2 minutes after the heart stops. Did he talk with Jesus? I hope so.” An atheist replied, “If he talked to Jesus, his brain had definitely stopped.” I sent back the message, “You’re probably right. Therein lays the tragedy.”

If the brain does in fact die two minutes after the heart stops, is that person still able to talk to the Lord? The Bible says that each person is destined once to die, and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). As the thief on the cross had his “last chance” to talk to Jesus and repent, so, I hope that before the brain dies there is also that opportunity. Only the Lord knows what happens during those brief moments of time before a person slips away with finality from this life to the next.

Why not find an atheist and talk to him or her about Christ? A person who says there is no God is declared a fool (Proverbs 14:1). Why? Only an arrogant person could make such a subjective statement, which is clearly based on the assumption that he or she is all-knowing. They are saying that they have thoroughly investigated and inspected every space in the universe and beyond to conclude that there is, in fact, no God.

The core of atheism is deliberate, intentional unbelief. Many, if not most, atheists don’t want there to be a God because they don’t want God interfering with their personal morality. It is of little wonder then that the rest of the verse says, “They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!” Of course, there is a continuum between good and evil on which all people fall at some point, whether atheists or not.

While taking a class on logic in college, I soon discovered that the professor (an ex-Southern Baptist preacher who denied the faith) was in cahoots with his protégée, one of the students, to attack Christians in the class. Of course, I was a primary target. While in the parking lot after class, I approached my fellow student and asked him, “Was there ever a time in your life when you believed in Christ, when you claimed to be born again?” He looked surprised and answered, “Yes.” I continued, “Are you doing things in your life now morally that you would have never allowed when you claimed to be a Christian?” I have to admit to being surprised at his honesty when he said, “Well, yes.” My response was, “I thought so. You can’t believe in Christ because you know that by doing so you condemn yourself. You have no choice but to not believe.”

It turns out that atheists do believe in God, after all. Why do I say that? Because they all believe in the kind of life that can only result from people being created by God. Exact atheism would believe in moral relativism, namely, that there is no such thing as right and wrong. Therefore, anything goes by anyone. But, no atheist would admit to murder being a good thing. Their morality is selective, however, in that personal choices such as adultery and lying are off-limits to the judgment of God or others.

In the BBC summary, the prominent atheist Richard Dawkins described Hitchens as, ”a valiant fighter against all tyrants, including God.” I wondered how God could be a tyrant if he didn’t exist. But, evidently Dawkins does believe God exists. Otherwise, his fight against God wouldn’t be so vehemently hateful and life-long.

I wish that Christopher Hitchens had lived a life worthy of his name. Christopher means “one who bears Christ.” It may be coincidence, but it is significant that his death was overshadowed by the season which focuses on the Christ that he rejected, but of whom he is now very much aware.

Actually, it’s hard to imagine, but a day will come when 9/11 will be forgotten by most and remembered by only a living few. Survivors of Pearl Harbor understand. Seventy years later, most survivors are now in their 80s or 90s. Because it’s easy to forget, significant events of history need to be showcased at certain times and places. That’s one guarantee that memories live on throughout generations.

What can you do today, December 7, to remember Pearl Harbor?

Remember “the date which will live in infamy.”
That famous phrase, first spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he addressed the nation on December 8 referred to the bombing of Pearl Harbor the day before, December 7, 1941. Commemorations will be held throughout the world today. Tune in on the Internet. Watch on the evening news. Take a few minutes to read about it. Ask your family and friends to join you in remembering.

Honor survivors of Pearl Harbor
Say “thank you” to someone who endured the war years after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I’ll be looking for the 80+-year-old gentleman that I see most Sundays in church. He served in the Army for many years, always wears a pin-on American flag, and smiles as we exchange military salutes. Life was hard for him, other military personnel and civilians alike. I’ll tell my senior friend that if it were not for the enormity of his sacrifice, the United States would not have become the strong nation with which we have been blessed. Germany and Japan would not have been rebuilt. Nations now live in freedom because of Pearl Harbor survivors.

Highlight the power of God
Read about the “miracle of Dunkirk,” as Winston Churchill called it. Talk to others about how God showed his powerful strength against earth’s mighty forces of evil in the turbulent days of war following Pearl Harbor. God directly intervened so that good conquered and wickedness was defeated. Then the Lord went a step beyond, sending an army of missionaries throughout Europe and the world. The result? Millions of people now experience ultimate peace with God in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Make today personal
Look in the rearview mirror of your life. Relive God’s deliverances from your own personal battles. Clap and laugh over victories from attacks by spiritual forces of evil. Throw a party! Design a ceremony of your own.

I saw a license plate that said, “We will never forget.” May that be true for our nation; may it be true for you.

Blog-talk aside, Jesus is on my list because there is something that he doesn’t yet have, namely, all of me. That’s just another way of saying that I have things that he doesn’t want me to have. So, I’ve decided to give the Lord Jesus the useless – even harmful – things in my life. He loves those kinds of gifts. Here’s a starter list of some of those things:

1. Get rid of elephants in the mind. Those elephants won’t go away because the Spirit of Jesus keeps bringing to the forefront desires and attitudes that are in my mind that he wants to go away. Earlier this month, I wrote in my journal:

“List every thought, behavior, action, attitude, words…everything that my conscience tells me is wrong. The great majority of those things, if not all, is God the Holy Spirit speaking to me. If that is the case – and it is – then I must obey and right the wrong. I obey because I love the Lord…”

 2. Attack problems, not people. Do you know what I did this morning? As I was reading the Bible, I looked up and saw a small fly resting on one of the petals of a beautiful bunch of flowers sitting in the middle of the table in the sunroom. I slowly got the fly swatter and BAM! I took a swing at the fly. Where the fly went, I have no idea. But, half of the beautiful flowers went flying through the air. That’s easy to do when dealing with people who are – regardless of problems they have or cause – of great beauty to God. Wounding a person – even mentally or attitudinally – with malice or slander, under the guise of fixing their problem, is not allowed and has to go.

3. Let go of good things that atrophy the best. “Brother, it’s a sin for you not to preach!” So said a delightful, senior African-American, former preacher himself, as we fellowshipped in the lobby before the start of a service. He chided with a smile, and I knew he was right. Considering the dearth of Bible knowledge in our society, as a seminary graduate, former church-planting missionary, former Dean of a Graduate School, along with many other Christian work and life experiences, I should be teaching God’s Word on a weekly basis. I’m taking good things out of my life to build up the best.

The supremacy of Christ
On the one hand, talking about giving to Jesus what is already his is ludicrous. After all, “you are not your own, you are bought with a price.” On the other hand, it’s the highest act of worship I can give, as God’s Word says, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” The supremacy of Christ is at the core of all gifts offered to the one who is Lord of all.

I want to give my gifts to Jesus this year. He won’t be surprised, because he’s been telling me what he wants on that list.

Making big bucks off of values
Commercialization overshadows every holiday of American and Christian history that’s rooted in noble thoughts of significant events. Valiant efforts to emphasize the values of gratitude at Thanksgiving, celebration at Easter, and wonder at Christmas have stiff competition from the allure of sirens beckoning at the doors of Wal-Mart, Target and Costco.

Go for good deals
We understand that’s how it is and we fight it with minimal success. I say if you can’t beat it, use it for good! Here are some ways to make a good deal out of Black Friday:

1. Cash in on great deals. Buy your presents and needs for the house now. That’s not only good stewardship of God’s money, but it stimulates the economy.
2. Don’t overspend. Overspending is a signal that some other spirit—like greed and coveting—is controlling you, not the Holy Spirit.
3. Get gifts for others in need. You were created for doing good works, so look for people who can’t get deals on Black Friday because they’re out of cash. Like a refugee family, a single parent, a family with a spouse on deployment, a homeless person…. The list is endless. Surprise them with a good deal you got on Black Friday.

Talk about Good Friday
Here’s the best deal of all: Tell someone on Black Friday about Good Friday. Share with a family member, colleague, friend, an enemy or stranger about the out-of-this-world “deal” God gave us in Christ. Forgiveness of sins, freedom to live a life of meaning, restored honor, adoption in God’s family…and, Christ paid the price for us to have all this for free. You don’t have to stand in line and pay the cashier; you kneel at the cross and say thank you to Jesus.

All are true. Each is urgent. None by itself fully captures the Spirit of Jesus. So, take a deep breath. It’s not that hard to be ready to die. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Paul said, “Christ is my life, death is my gain.” Luther and Paul were going about their business as they understood their part in the Lord’s business to be. I feel the same. I’m not particularly looking forward to dying. But, I am keenly interested in living. A couple of days ago, the wind’s strong puffs were blowing down the mountain. I stood outside mesmerized, watching a large bird soaring above, swooping up and down with hardly a flap of its wings. “That’s the kind of life I want Lord,” I prayed, “to soar with freedom, no matter how the winds may blow.” The more you fully live here, the more you’re ready to keep on living forever.

Sinner or saint?
People who see a sinner in the mirror will be like my friend who used to be in the military. As he walked along (well, he marched), he would repeat in cadence, “Obedience! Obedience! Immediate obedience!” It seemed like life was made of check marks next to spiritual successes, things that he did in order to sin less.

On the other hand, if you see a saint in the mirror, you’ll see something that the Holy Spirit has put in you, a nature called “God’s seed”[1], or, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”[2] It is absolutely impossible for this part of you to sin. I think that if you could see that nature as God sees it, you would be stunned by its brightness! So, if you see a saint, how would you spend your day? Focus on how you could live and look like the pristine truth, beauty and goodness of the nature of Christ in you.

How you start the day is how you’ll live it. What you first see is what you’ll look and live like.

A right motivation
While Christians who see themselves as primarily sinners can still have lives that honor the Lord, the Lord cares about not just what we do, but why we do it. He wants outward manifestations to match inner motivation. It is at this point that the all-important difference of thinking, more than just a nuance, comes into play. Intentions (outcomes) may be the same, but two people can look the same outwardly and, yet, have two different motivations.[3] One is motivated by fear, the other by love. One starts the day with a sense of weakness because of self-reliance, the other with strength that is given by Christ.[4]

Take a look for yourself
Browse Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Circle “riches” (five times), “grace” (twelve times), “glory” (eight times) “fullness” or “filled” (six times), “in Christ” or “in Him” (about twelve times), “in”, “with” or “through” Christ (some thirty times). Go back to the mirror. Now ask, “Mirror, mirror of my mind, am I of sin or in the Divine?”

Actually, that may be how you feel about your job, what you’re obligated to do day-by-day. No freedom to influence decision making. No prospect of using the skills and talents God gave you. You feel guilty. “Doesn’t he hold me accountable?” you ask yourself in despair. “I’m in a straitjacket. My life is going by. How can I escape?” Here are some ideas…choose the one(s) that fit best.

Accept slave-status. In his predictable counter-intuitive thinking, God raises the status of a slave to heaven’s highest regarded servant. To Roman slaves, with no chance of escape, often brutally treated, Paul writes, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.”[1] No matter what your job requires, it’s Jesus himself that you’re serving. You can’t get a better job than that.

Frame your own room. An architect wrote that his toughest job was to redo a condo with room requirements that the current structure would not allow. His solution? Build inside the unchangeable structure the framing that would allow for the new rooms. That’s what Paul and Silas did while in prison. Intimidation and being beaten up didn’t keep them from doing what they loved: singing hymns and spreading the joy of the Gospel to others. Within the confinements of your job, create your own rooms in which you can use and express your talents. You don’t need permission.

Work inside, live outside. Many people don’t make their fortunes from their jobs. They invest their wages elsewhere. Work at your job and have the enjoyment of investing your talents and gifts elsewhere. That’s what my father-in-law did. On the weekends and holidays, he started a camp for kids while still running his asphalt paving business in Washington, DC.

If the door opens, leave. Paul wrote to Roman slaves who had become Christians, “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.”[2] There isn’t necessarily a virtue staying in a hard place of restrictions. If the door of freedom opens, sprint!

Look to leave and do what you love. God preordains the good works he wants you to do[3]; he gives you the talents and gifts for those works[4]; he expects you to get on the move, use your own creativity as you choose the context. Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking for the place of your choice and his leading. The Lord will guide you, as he did the servant of Abraham who was on the move.[5]

Remember that there is no correlation between straitjackets and joy. Your relationship with the Lord, your source of deepest joy, can never be laced up by anyone or anything. You’re free! So act that way.

There’s still much to do about theodicy. So, what can we do?

1. Study to explain. Prepare to answer others who ask about the hope you have in your God.[1] At least browse to read the response of apologists like Bruce Little, Gary Habermas, Norm Geisler and Ravi Zacharias.
2. Live to show. Blend God’s words with yours, God’s ways with yours. The best argument for the goodness of God is by showing his goodness in daily life.[2]
3. Trust when you don’t know. All that I know about Jesus convinces me that he is perfect in all he knows and does. I trust him, knowing that my understanding is limited, his is infinite.[3]

Be at ease. We’ll never figure out things that are beyond us. Let’s focus primarily on applying the things we do know. As Mark Twain said, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it’s the parts that I do understand.”