Significant research is being done regarding how reading books can make a difference in the lives of children.  Both the New York Times and USA Today recently referred to a study which is scheduled to be published later this year in Reading Psychology.  For three years, a researcher from the University of Tennessee studied students selected from seventeen high poverty elementary schools in Florida.  The researcher gave the students a dozen books on the last day of school prior to summer break.  The researchers found that the students who received the books had higher reading scores and began school in the fall without the expected learning digression that occurs in the summer especially in low income areas. 

This year, a similar experiment will be conducted in seven additional states.  More than one writer has suggested that summer reading may be a greater education enhancement for many children than attending summer school.

Reading books is also essential for spiritual and character growth.  While articles on the internet and printed periodicals can give us quick and easy information, reading books, whether in hard copy or electronically, is not quick or easy.  It provides time to interact more fully with the ideas of the author.

Electronically conveyed information is frequently pursued because it is advertised to be quick and accessible.  Often, it also means abbreviated, condensed, and simplified.  One blogger recently said, “blogs are the books for people with short attention spans.”

Many ideas must be processed.  Folks with short attention spans may learn the language of discipline without grasping the concepts.  PowerPoint presentations help us remember, but they can be a deterrent to helping us conceptualize.

Christians are to be thinking people in that we are to evaluate ideas based on the revealed truth of Scripture.  This requires time and mental interaction with what you read.  Far too often, books that are marketed as “Christian” are done so not because the content is based on scriptural truth, but because they are inspirational and help you to have some religious feelings.  The label “Christian” may be nothing more than a marketing ploy.

If you want to grow in authentic character, read good books and interact with the ideas.  Another verb for this kind of reading is “studying.”  Unfortunately this makes us think of school and accountability.  By reading and studying books, you will not only be a better informed person but also be better equipped to use truth, as revealed in Scripture, to evaluate the opinions and insights of what you are reading.

Below are the titles of two good books to read.  Don’t just take my word for it.  Read, study, and evaluate them against the truth revealed in Scripture.

The Reason for God (by Tim Keller published by Riverhead)
Jesus Among Other Gods:  The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message (by Ravi Zacharias)

Take a step down the character path by reading a book.

Gary Fenton
www.characterpath.com

One of Italy’s more creative correspondents and writers, Tommaso Debenedetti has published interviews with: Cardinal Ratzinger, just prior to his election to the papacy; Mikhail Gorbachev; Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu; and Elie Wiesel. He published interviews with well-know authors such as John Grisham and Philip Roth. His insightful interviews were the result of his access to major world players and were published in some smaller Italian newspapers bringing acclaim to both the newspapers and to him.

A writer, Judith Thurman, with The New Yorker magazine became suspicious of the validity of the some of the interviews and began asking questions and doing research. After several months defending the authenticity of the interviews, finally Debenedetti confessed that he had not interviewed these people and he just made up what they supposedly told him.

While this is certainly a very deceitful act and should be condemned, there is a similar and more dangerous deceitful practice that goes on frequently by people who claim to be Christians. You and I have probably participated in this hoax. We frequently tell people that we will pray for them or have prayed for them yet neither will we nor have we. When we tell folks that we will pray for them but don’t we are basically saying “I will talk to Jesus about you,” but never have the conversation. We are perpetrating a spiritual hoax. Probably most Christians have at some time has said. “I will pray for you” and then have not. I know I have. Yet it is not right; it is sinful.

Join me today in making a commitment to be honest about conversations with Jesus. When we pray for whom we promised to we are taking a major step down the character path.

Gary Fenton

CharacterPath.com

In Alabama neither college football season nor political campaigning ever ends.  In May I read my first projection of what teams will play in which bowl games.  It is now June and we have completed the first round of the state primary elections, but we are in the midst of political run offs, and the general elections are ahead this November.  But some are already looking beyond this fall; several folks are already publicly posturing and taking advantage of every photo op in preparation for the 2012 elections. The self-serving “P.R.” (another set of initials might more accurately describe it) called political advertising can make you so cynical that you consider not voting in order to show your disdain.

However, in a democracy people with good character vote!  It is unconscionable for a person to pray “thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth” and then assume they are acting consistently with that prayer by only criticizing candidates instead of casting ballots. Christians are to be good citizens and vote, even if that means we are choosing the lesser of two evils.

How does a person with good character prepare to vote, especially when none of the options are ideal?  Below are five questions to ask yourself before supporting and voting for candidates:

1. Does the candidate support policies that are consistent with the teachings of Jesus? This is much different than determining with which candidate you agree. Alternatively, finding the candidate most consistent with Jesus will make you reexamine your own positions. Often our political preferences are based on which candidate will give us the most freedom with the least taxes.  While I do not like high taxes or  large government, Jesus never suggested that taxes should be low and did not address the size of government. Just because I agree with a candidate on those two issues does not suggest the candidate has Christian character.

2. What are the values, character, and philosophy of the candidate’s inner circle of friends?  Political leaders by the very nature of democracy must both delegate to others and be influenced by others.  Knowing the persons in their inner circle will help you know the candidates personal inner core.

3. Other than what I have learned about the candidates from their commercials, what do I really know about them?  With today’s technology there is very little excuse to be an uninformed voter. 

4. Have I prayed for wisdom for voting or I have just prayed that my candidate will win?  The Bible teaches us that if we ask God for wisdom we will receive it (James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”).

5. Am I expecting the candidate to please me or to do what is right? Since as voters we are also sinful we can be just as self-serving as the candidates we criticize. People who are selfish want officials who will please them while people of good character want candidates who please God.

These questions will help you evaluate the candidates’ promises and your personal character.  People of good character use elections to examine their own principles and not just the values of others.

During the never-ending season of political campaigning, examine your own character as well as those who have their names on the ballots.

Gary Fenton

Characterpath.com

Click on the pastor’s blog at  www.dawsonchurch.org for more on this subject.

Recently, a very gifted track and field coach died. The last five years of his life had been difficult as he had battled lymphoma, but the last twenty years had been filled with controversy and disappointment. Charlie Frances was a Canadian coach whose star athlete was stripped of his Olympic medal as a result of testing positive for performance-enhancing steroids. In 1989, Frances was barred for life from coaching in Canada when he acknowledged that not only the Olympic champion Ben Johnson, but ten other athletes had used performance-enhancing drugs as part of training programs he designed for them.  As a result of his lifetime ban, some tried to paint him as a villain, but in reality he was a discouraged man of virtue who had eventually caved in to the pressures around him.

www.Characterpath.com

Gary Fenton

Recently, someone asked me if my theology was “reformed?”  The term “reformed theology” is currently a “hot button” among many evangelicals.  To some, it is becoming the single-question litmus test to help people know whether you are one of “us” or one of “them.”  Book publishers and blog writers have learned how and where to post the phrase on book covers and websites believing that to evangelicals, it has a similar impact to the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

My response to the question was “sometimes, but I try not to let anyone know.”  I was not trying to be a smart aleck.  In a world in which both the political left and the evangelical right have volunteered to serve on the enforcement patrol of the political correctness movement, some phrases need to be either fully explained or not used at all.  I think “reformed theology” is one of those terms.  So, for the following reasons, I rarely describe my theology as “reformed:”

While “reformed” theology usually means it came out of the Protestant Reformation, it is important to remember not all the reformers carried the same theological torch to burn down the dead wood of religious institutionalism.  Luther and Calvin were not the only reformers.  Some of the folks were in the extreme right field or extreme left field, and a few were lost in the woods and never found the field.  I hope today’s reformed theologians are not suggesting that they intend to carry all the baggage of the Protestant reformers.  “Reformed” is far too imprecise of a term for me to use to describe my theology.

Some use the term “reformed theology” to refer to five-point Calvinism.  While I agree with most of the major points of the attorney turned preacher turned city political boss, John Calvin, one of his major points appears to be scripturally contradictive to me.  His concept of limited atonement sounds like attempt to blame God for the fate of the lost.  Leaving the “L” out of tulip makes me sound like I have a speech impediment when I answer the Jeopardy question, “What was in John Calvin’s favorite floral centerpiece?”  I have read many of the arguments for limited atonement; but, using the principle of using Scripture to interpret Scripture, I can’t find buy what this argument is selling.  If “limited atonement” is blaming God for people going to hell, then I cannot wear the “reformed theology” label.  If, however, it is simply the recognition that not all people will go to heaven, I suppose you might find the RT label in my clergy collar or clerical robe if I wore either.

Any system of theology can become a perceived means of grace rather than an imperfect descriptive schematic of the grace delivery system.  Salvation is never found in a system but in a Savior.  Therefore, I am hesitant to wear the label of any system including reformed, Calvinist, Ariminan, conservative, or fundamentalist.  I do not resist these labels because I am indecisive; I resist them because systems will always reflect the bias and limitations of the systematizer as well as the truth he or she is trying to put in an understandable form. 

Rather than describe my theology with a label, I prefer to describe who I am:  I am a believer in and follower of the Jesus the Christ, empowered by the Spirit of God to obey the Word of God.  That doesn’t fit neatly on a book jacket or on a website logo, but I think God is more likely to hold me accountable for who I am rather to test me on Calvin’s Institutes, Luther’s Ninety-Five theses or Wesley’s interpretation of Jacob Arminius.  Who we are in Christ and what we do as result of who we are in Christ will ultimately reveal what we believe.

Is this blog intended to be critical of those who wear systematic labels?  Absolutely not!  It is simply to say that in the theology wars among the Evangelicals I am a pacifist.  But make no mistake–I certainly plan to be fully suited in the full armor of God when defending the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ against those who attack it.

Character is about who we are and what we do and not about the label we wear.

I invite to know your identity in Christ and to live accordingly, thereby taking steps down the character path.
   
www.Characterpath.com
Gary Fenton

A crude and crass comedian has popularized a phrase to such an extent that it is now frequently used in motivational talks and, unfortunately, has even been displayed on some church marquees. While the phrase “git-r-done” may have some value as a call to action, it certainly does not summarize the Christian call to service.

“Git-r-done” were not the final words on the cross; the words of Jesus rise far above a pep talk.  Jesus did not look at His disciples and family members who had failed Him and say, “I have done my part, now you get your part done.”

Rather, Jesus said, “It is finished.” To finish means to complete.  Jesus was not only indicating that His physical life was completed, but also stating that He had completed the work of salvation. If it is finished then our only response is to receive it. Certainly Christians are to serve, but our acts of service flow out of gratitude for what we have received rather than being payment for what we want to receive. If you attempt to serve in order to receive you will always be exhausted knowing there is so much to do and not enough time to do it. Serving to receive depletes, diminishes, and discourages us—it is defeating. But serving because you have received empowers, enriches, and encourages.

Living out gratitude will not lower moral and ethical standards, it will raise them.  Legalism, doing enough to get by, and mediocrity are the result of just getting it done. Living in grateful response to grace leads to moral excellence.

When you claim the implied promise of “It is finished” and then live accordingly, you are taking another step down the character path.

Characterpath.com
Gary Fenton

Recently a good man who was tragic figure in American history died. While you may not know his name, you were impacted by a decision he made.

On December 7, 1941 Kermit Tyler was on his second day of manning the air traffic center at Fort Shafter in Hawaii.  A private on his first day of duty noticed some planes on the radar. He called Kermit Tyler, who was in charge, and told him what he had spotted on the on the radar. Kermit Tyler knew that the American private had very little experience and had likely only observed some American B-17s returning from an assignment.  So, rather than suggesting that the private review the radar more closely or that he should look at the radar screens himself, Kermit Tyler spoke the following four words: “Don’t worry about it.”

The rest is a tragic day in history, including 2,400 American military and civilian casualties as a result of an attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, and provoking the United States to enter World War II. While most believe that certainly it would have been too late to avoid the attack, the 30 minutes between the spotting of the planes on the radar and the beginning of bombing could have been used to reduce the number of casualties and to prepare a crippling or possibly finishing attack on the Japanese carriers from whence the attacking planes took off.  It would have changed the war significantly.  The war that resulted changed all of our lives, even those who were not as yet born.

Lieutenant Tyler lived with regret but so did the private who notified Tyler but failed to tell him that there were fifty planes on the radar screen.  Both failed to recognize what was important.

People of character know what is important.  Our principles are more important than our preferences. Far too often we spend time defending our preferences when they are under attack rather than our moral and spiritual principles.  Some people only have passion when their favorite sports team is unranked or under ranked and yet are completely oblivious that their principles are being bombarded with destructive principles by the movies they watch and the internet sites they surf.    They casually watch programs that seduce their fantasies and tell themselves, “Don’t worry about it,” only to later to realize their character has been blown out of the water.

Today, identify, live by, and defend you principles.

Heroes often die unnoticed but their virtues continue to live. Recently the death of Mel Cuba, a 99-year-old resident of Del Ray, Florida, went for the most part unnoticed, but his greatest virtues continue to impact the next generation.

On August 8, 1933 forty orphanage residents were swept away by a wave while on excursion to the beach at Rockaway Queens, New York. Six lifeguards rushed in the water and rescued thirty-three of them. Mel Cuba may have performed the most heroic act of the six. He swam 100 feet out from the shore and grabbed four boys. Two were on his back and one on each arm and he somehow miraculously kept their heads above the water for several minutes before another lifeguard could maneuver a catamaran close to him.  All six lifeguards were honored for their efforts, but Mel Cuba was thought to have performed the most amazing feat. What made Cuba such a hero was that he would not give up.  He never gave up when he was nearly unconscious from exhaustion. Mel Cuba didn’t give up; he didn’t give, he just gave it his all. Persistence under pressure was his greatest virtue.

In 1933 New York City honored Mel Cuba as a hero, but soon his story was forgotten except by the four children he rescued.  Had Cuba given up, four children would never have seen adulthood nor would they have had had descendents. If the orphans he rescued are living today they are in their eighties and are grandparents and possibly even great grandparents. His character helped them experience life, and in them his virtuous actions live on.

Character is not just about doing good things; it is about doing the right thing over and over again. Even when you are weary, discouraged and exhausted, continue to do what is right. While persistence under pressure may not make you a hero, it will take you one more step down the character path.

Characterpath.com
Gary Fenton

Watch Birmingham CBS 42 at 10:00 a.m. as Gary continues the Steps on the Character Path sermon series.

People who are on the path to good character are always in the process of re-creation, not just recreation, which is too often confused with entertainment.   Entertainment is an amusement or a diversion, while recreation is the refreshment of strength and spirit. In order to emphasize the right meaning of recreation in this blog post, I will hyphenate the word to stimulate thought about the refreshment of strength concept.

Even spectator sports can be a form of re-creation rather entertainment for the person of character. For true character and spiritual re-creation you need to ask after watching a game, “What did I learn about character from this event?”  The BCS Football National Championship gave us several great examples of character truths:

Coach Nick Saban’s philosophy that championships are the result of process and not events. Both before and after the game Saban indicated that excellence in the big game included paying attention to the smallest details regarding planning, practicing, and playing in the little games.  The same is true in building good character. You have to plan to do right, and then you have to do right in the little things before you will do right in the big events.

Colt McCoy, the star quarterback of the Texas Longhorns, was eliminated early in the game by an injury.  The injury was not the result anything he did wrong; such injuries just happen in the game of football. Yet when the game was over McCoy was gracious and spoke of his passion for the game. Stuff happens in life that we did not cause and over which we do not have control.  People of character choose to stay engaged rather than bitter and withdrawn.

True freshman backup quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, arrived at the game with little expectations of playing, but due to McCoy’s injury played all but five offensive plays. His inexperience showed early but he more than met the challenge in that exciting fourth quarter. In issues of character you never know when you will face the greatest challenges and you have to be ready at all times.

Mark Ingram, Heisman trophy winner and offensive MVP of the game, never used his father’s imprisonment as an excuse not to excel. This amazing and inspiring young man refused to allow his future to be determined by his family’s past. People of good character never let the bad character choices of family members determine who they are.

Next time you watch a sporting event, choose to be re-created rather than just entertained.  When you do you will be taking a major step down the character path.

Characterpath.com
Gary Fenton

You can hear Gary Fenton each Friday morning at 9:35 on WERC FM 105.5 and WERC 960.

It’s that time of year!  Every December we hear a peppering of commentary in Christian circles protesting the fleecing of the real meaning of Christmas.  Many Christians cringe as the media and secular culture substitute the “Merry Christmas” greeting with “Happy Holidays.”   Understandably, believers feel compelled to remind society of the origins of our traditional holiday.  As Christ-followers, we are wired to desire glory for our Savior in this season created to honor Him.  But even as public Nativity scenes are left in storage and religious carols are replaced with secular songs, my Christmas is no less meaningful or holy. 
 
Just as a relationship with Jesus Christ is personal, so is the sacred celebration of Christmas.  It is my responsibility to keep the real meaning of Christmas within me.  And while I appreciate music and décor featuring the nativity or Christian aspects of the holiday, I do not want unbelievers to confuse their choice in decorations or holiday expressions with what makes them a Christian.  Saying “Merry Christmas” or sending a Christmas card with an artist’s rendering of the Christ child may or may not reflect a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. 
 
A Christian is one who accepts the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.  Upon becoming a believer, he or she allows Jesus to be the Lord of their life.  The Bible prepares the Christian to be viewed as an outsider in his or her culture.  Jesus promises discrimination, persecution and suffering to those who submit to follow Him.  As a result, Christians cannot expect an unbelieving culture to reinforce the aspects of Christmas we revere.  Until and unless a person embraces the awe of the Incarnation, forcing them to adopt our expressions may make us feel better, but it will not aid the unbeliever in developing an authentic Christian faith.   Our goal is not to get the world to use our vocabulary but to help humanity to know our Lord, Jesus the Christ.
 
Instead of wasting energy in futile frustration, internal angst or caustic angry comments, use this season as fuel to empower you to be light in a dark world and salt in a society that is over-flavored with evil. Christians are called to meet people where they are on life’s path and even to reach out to those who are off of the path.  Demanding that unbelievers catch up with us on our spiritual journey will rarely yield success.  In fact, we may do more damage in the minds of non-Christians by engaging in public rhetoric focusing on the negative and proclaiming our need for respect.  Christians live to serve their Lord by focusing on the needs of others.  During this Christmas season may we be less bothered by the secularization of the holiday and instead experience and express joy for the gift of the Christ-child and by that we will make our day holy.  And by experiencing our own wonder of the season, may we reflect to others a spirit of peace. When a secular world encounters the grace of the Savior in the lives of professing–not protesting–Christians,  they are far more likely to discover that Christmas can become a holy day for them also. If God is really here in Jesus, what do we have to complain about?