Month: March 2009

Meditation: Why it’s not about clearing your mind

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When you talk about meditation with someone you can often be talking about different things entirely. The other day in the paper there was an article about yoga which mentioned the benefits of a healthy mind and body.

As a Christian, I want to have a healthy mind and body. I want to bring glory to God through doing my best to be healthy because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. But for Christians to practice yoga is a misunderstanding about what the Bible means by meditation and the way the world sees meditation. They are two different things entirely.

In the article, it is briefly explained that yoga was developed as a way of preparing the body for meditation. And while it goes on to say that the Western practice of yoga is a set of postures, there is more to it than that. Even the instructor, while trying to deflect concerns, hints at the real reason behind yoga:

“Some are skeptical of yoga at first — some think it’s a religion or something, but are surprised to find the movements and breathing exercises help them.”
Frazier said she hopes her students derive some of the same benefits from practicing yoga she has.
“Yoga brought me a new compassion for my self,” she said. “Yoga is embracing what is, an acceptance of reality.”

The idea of embracing yourself and “acceptance of reality” is not harmless exercise talk but in fact echoing tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism. That, and the fact that yoga brings “compassion for my self” should sound alarms for any Christian. Is that what yoga and meditation brings? Compassion for ourselves? When I am alone with my thoughts, rather, this is what confronts me: I am not good. Consider what the Bible says about how we should meditate:

  • This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
  • but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law hemeditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
  • I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:12)
  • I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (Psalm 119:15)
  • I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. (Psalm 143:5)

Notice in those verses what is lacking? Yes, any reference to self or self worth. Instead, we are to focus on God’s greatness and his majesty. Why? Because only He can save us from our terrible conditions. “Clearing” your minds won’t make it go away, it’ll just mask the problem.

While yoga may not be advertised as a religion class, by going through the routine you get the same effect. Even in the “non-religious” Western world. Christians should beware.

Update: The AP is the one playing politics on stem cell research

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So, yesterday I posted about a story from two Associated Press reporters, Ben Feller and Lauran Neergaard, who couldn’t find anyone to quote about their objections to President Obama reversing Bush policy to restrict funding for embryonic stem cell research. What did they do? Find a scientist to better frame the debate? Nah.

Instead, they updated their story with a quote from Tony Perkins at the Family Research Council. Oh, wait, that’s the conservative Family Research Council:

“Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for experiments that require the destruction of human life,” said Tony Perkins of the conservative Family Research Council. “President Obama’s policy change is especially troubling given the significant adult stem cell advances that are being used to treat patients now without harming or destroying human embryos.”

After a cursory summary of the potential of adult stem cell research over the last eight years the article veers back to the left and states that scientists, not politics should judge. OK, who just inserted politics into this story? Anyone? Yes, that would be reporters Ben Feller and Lauran Neergaard (and, most likely, the anonymous editors) of the not-conservative Associated Press.

Now, to be fair, that quotation from Perkins might have been in the original story but was cut by an editor. But I’m going to say this anyway. Listen closely , AP: There are plenty of scientists (not politians or activists) who I’m sure would like to talk about their research with adult stem cells and give you balanced feedback about this. If you want to do your politics story and talk to people like Tony Perkins — who does have a point — then do it in another story with activists who are pro-embryonic stem cell research. And, if you really did talk and quote adult stem cell research scientists and then cut it, then shame on you.

But to frame this as a science-vs.-politics story is completely manipulative on your part. Again, your story (even updated) is still cheerleading.

The Associated Press: Your one-way news service

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The Associated Press reported Friday that President Obama is expected to sign on Monday an executive order reversing restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

After reading this article, you may wonder what’s missing. The answer: Any kind of reaction from those opposing reversing restrictions. Instead, we are given the views of an anonymous senior administration official (the quote fragment “scientific integrity” which gives you an idea of how this administration totally misunderstands the issue), a stem cell researcher who favors embryonic stem cell research, Obama himself (from his views on the campaign trail when he announced his opposition) and a spokesman for a group that advocates embryonic stem cell research.

What can be said that might give pause for reversing the policy? Two paragraphs give the entire argument against it:

Such research is controversial because embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells; they typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away. Once a group of stem cells is culled, it can be kept alive and propagating in lab dishes for years.

There are different types of stem cells, and critics say the nation should pursue alternatives to embryonic ones such as adult stem cells, or those found floating in amniotic fluid or the placenta. But leading researchers consider embryonic stem cells the most flexible, and thus most promising, form – and say that science, not politics, should ultimately judge.

This is followed by a comment by an embryonic stem cell research advocate saying that “science works best and patients are served best by having all the tools at our disposal.”

And I’m sure Josef Mengele would agree.

It’s disappointing that it took two writers, Ben Feller and Lauran Neergaard, to write an article that is basically propaganda for the embryonic stem cell research position. It’s not like there are no scientists to be found on the other side, but Feller and Neergaard didn’t make the effort to talk to them. Here would have been a good start, at least as far as better framing the argument from the other side. Instead, we get cheerleading from the AP.

What discipline looks like in the life of Jerry Bridges

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Today at the weekly men’s group that I attend (not as regularly as I would like, but as much as I can), we talked about praciticing the presence of God in our lives. Particularly, we talked about cultivating spiritual discipline in our lives — things like Bible study, prayer, fasting, solitude.

With that in mind, I was pleased to come across this interview that C.J. Mahaney, who leads Sovereign Grace Ministries, did with Jerry Bridges. If you are not familiar with Jerry Bridges, he has served with The Navigators for 50 years and has authored many helpful books including The Pursuit of Holiness, The Discipline of Grace and Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. Mahaney did a short Q&A with Bridges, asking him about how he did his devotions and what books he read or had influenced him.

In all, it was a good glimpse into the life of a man who has worked hard to develop discipline into his life. We often shy away from discipline, but, as it is good to be reminded of what it says in Hebrews 12:11: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields o the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Boys wrestling girls — for sport and shame

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Girl wrestlerI was curious to come across this post by John Piper addressing girls wrestling boys because the same thing happened here in Nebraska. While the state tournament is ongoing in Minnesota, it already happened here and the result was the girl managed to finish second in the 103-pound weight class. In both cases, it was the first time that a girl wrestled in the state tournament.

While much positive media attention was given to the girl in each case, not as much was focused on the boys who had to wrestle against girls or those who had concerns. One writer who was at the event in Omaha said the fans at the arena were decidedly against the girl even though she wrestled for an Omaha school. For as many positive reactions to the story about the Minnesota girl, there were also comments like the one below:

First, let me start by saying that wrestling is a great sport for girls. Next, let me challenge them to the same standards boys have to go through if they want to play a typically female sport. They can’t handle it. You see for everyone that makes excuses and whines about it’s sexist to keep them out – it’s not. In fact it’s equality at work. The problem is girls like this don’t understand being equal DOES NOT mean they get their way. First double standard, where boys are strong than girls post-puberty, the girls are allowed to play on boys’ teams in middle school when the girls are bigger. If they get to beat up on the boys in middle school, you can’t whine when boys return the favor in high school. Second, in wrestling, this girl has an unfair advantage because she can maintain lower weight classes later in life, thus giving her more experience. Any wrestler worth his or her salt will tell you experience will trump gender anytime. She often ends up wrestling freshman. Not only that, since girls have a lower center of gravity, it’s harder to throw her. Third, what about the sexual harassment? Boys are uncomfortable wrestling her and she doesn’t care. I wonder how she would feel if a bunch of boys decided to come shower with her. You know, nothing sexual – just a shower. If the coach explains it’s just a shower I’m sure she’ll be ok with it. God knows the boys can’t complain because her right to participate overrides their right not to be harassed. Basically, girls have no problems taking boys’ spots but then they whine and cry like babies when boys – even small boys – show up to take theirs. Heck, they whine and cry even if the boys don’t want their spots and just want an equal chance to participate in their own sports. (Look at the Title IX quotas)You see mhandler, You have NO idea what you’re talking about. There are about 3 states, PA, NY, and MA that allow boys on girls teams. The rest don’t. Wanna know how I know? My 70 pound godson wanted to play field hockey because his roller hockey team isn’t sanctioned and the state said he was too big and strong to play against the 200 pound girls. Again, it’s fine if she wrestles. Let her go out and get a bunch of girls so she can wrestle them – just like a boy would have to do if he wanted to make a new team. Is it too much to ask the princesses to simply live up to the same rules the boys have to live by? Fight for equality. Fight Title IX

A rant, yes, but some strong points as well. I’m sure that there are advocates who would argue just as strongly the other way, but in the end it’s pretty clearly a no-win situation for any boy. Girls who want to wrestle should wrestle — with other girls. But mixed gender wrestling does no one any good.

Life is a vapor, be productive

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Because of my sinfulness, I am prone by my very nature to rebel against God. One of those ways is by being inactive. While it is good to rest, and it glorifies God (who never sleeps), I can also fall into a habit of idleness.

And, when we do that, we make a god out of our rest because it becomes the thing that satisfy us rather than God. The Bible tells us that life is a “mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Do we want to waste it on the drug of idleness? Rather, we need to trust God to help us in our labors and find rest in Him:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

— Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 11: 28-30


Good news: The bailout is working (in a way)

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From Scott Ott at the dcexaminer:

The Treasury Department announced today that the bail out [sic] of AIG Insurance, which began in September under the Bush administration, is working better than expected.
Encouraged by the company’s loss of nearly $62 billion in the 4th quarter of 2008, the Obama administration injected another $30 billion into AIG this week.

“The government stepped in last year with $150 billion because AIG was too big to fail,” said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “The stock was trading in early September at more than $20 per share.

Today it’s worth less than 50 cents a share. If we keep pumping billions of tax dollars into it, I’d say we’ll soon reach the point where AIG won’t be too big to fail, and then we can stop giving them money.”

The ESV Online Study Bible — for free

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Crossway Books has announced today that, for a limited time, the ESV Online Study Bible will be available to everyone for free. This means that the complete ESV Study Bible with all its notes, charts, articles and maps can be accessed for free.

I have had access to it for about a week now since my ESV Study Bible arrived and I can say that it is a tremendous research tool for indepth study of the scriptures and extremely helpful in understanding the scriptures and answering questions. An added benefit of the ESV Online Study Bible is the ability to take notes and have them available anywhere you have Internet access.

Thanks so so much to the folks at Crossway Books for making this available. I would strongly encourage all to take advantage of this offer and check out this resource.

The ESV Online Study Bible is now available for free for a limited time.
The ESV Online Study Bible is now available for free for a limited time.

Are we ready for tough times ahead?

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The coddled Western world will sooner or later give way to great affliction. And when it does, whose vision of God will hold? Where are Christians being prepared for great global sorrows? Where is the Christian mind and soul being prepared for the horrors to come? Christians in the West are weakened by wimpy worldviews. And wimpy worldviews make wimpy Christians. God is weightless in our lives. He is not terrifyingly magnificent. His sovereignty is secondary (at best) to his sensitivity.

— John Piper, Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of God (13)

We don’t have to imagine as hard these days to envision tough times in our country. But tough economic times aren’t the same as tough times to be a follower of Christ. It is good to turn to Christ for comfort, but some times we need more than just comforting words. We need words of warning. There is evil in this world and it touches every one of our lives. The fact that we live in comfort in our Western world is a providence of God, but we should not look at it as the only way.

In John Piper’s Spectacular Sins, cited above, he examines how evil in our world not only fail to nullify God’s purpose to glorify Christ they — by his providence — succeed in making his purpose come to pass. And through understanding this, we can be strengthened in our own lives in the difficult times that will surely come.

The book is one of many that you download for free as a PDF onto your computer. If you still prefer to hold a book in your hand, you can purchase it here.

Spurgeon’s words still ring true: God is at the bottom of it all

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And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

— Ezekiel 11:19-20

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher from the 19th century was saved when he was 16. His recounting of how it came to be is good to remember for all of us:

I can recall the very day and hour when I first received those truths (of election and effectual calling) in my own soul—when they were, as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown on a sudden from a babe into a man—that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God.

One week-night when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher’s sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, “How did you come to be a Christian?” I sought the Lord. “But how did you come to seek the Lord?” The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have sought him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that he was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, “I ascribe my change wholly to God.”