It’s Graduation Season here in Texas with celebrations of educational achievements by students from pre-kindergartens to high schools to universities.  The annual Graduation Season traditionally begins with university grads walking across the stage in early May and culminates with high school ceremonies in early June. Diplomas and degrees give each graduate their credentials with accompanying rights and privileges as specified. Each person deserves to be recognized and honored for their achievements, but graduates (and everyone else) should beware of the dangers of a prideful spirit.

Confidence rooted in humble dependence on God is far different than a boastful, self-serving pride. The challenge by the prophet Jeremiah to the 6^th century BC Israelites is applicable to any and all who are honored for their accomplishments. Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Pride is listed as one of the seven deadly sins, and indeed pride is toxic.  Arrogance is certainly a killer of relationships, undermines unity in any organization, sabotages the fellowship of the Church, corrupts the government, and destabilizes the culture to its very core. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

  Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem a short time after Jeremiah prophesied to that city.  This king was the most powerful man in the world as the Babylonian Empire controlled all nations including Israel.  He was also very self-centered and boastful of his power and wealth. The prophet Daniel bluntly spoke God’s message to the king and warned him to repent of his sin and acknowledge God’s power. Instead, King Nebuchadnezzar continued to boast in himself and did not worship God. His attitude was…  Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30 Immediately after this incident, Nebuchadnezzar literally lost his mind. At the height of his power, he began behaving as an animal. Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.  You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Daniel 4:31-32  As prophesied, Nebuchadnezzar’s mind and sanity was restored after seven years.    He then expressed a far different attitude as he boasted in the Lord, instead of himself.  I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion;   his kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:34  

The accomplishments of kings, students, grads, moms, dads, employers, employees, athletes, entrepreneurs, should all be celebrated. As Nebuchadnezzar testified and Jeremiah instructed, celebration of accomplishments must always be centered in humble recognition that God is in control. Thus boast in the Lord is when you gratefully worship God as the great Giver of all gifts.  

 

STAAR

Educators in Texas speak and write in a code language of acronyms. STAAR is easily the most recognizable educational acronym, especially during this week of statewide testing. STAAR is the “State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness”, the standardized test most recently mandated by the Texas Legislature. STAAR replaces the TAKS which replaced the TAAS and is based on the TEKS curriculum standards set by the TEA. If all these acronyms make sense to someone, they will also know the secret handshake and have a decoder ring as full members of the educational inner circle!  The significance of STAAR and other assessments is to determine the knowledge level of students, and is also an evaluation of the effectiveness of the schools and teachers.  Educators, parents, and even students recognize that academic readiness is a link to successful careers and is the foundation for a stable culture. Thus STAAR brings accountability for students, parents, faculty, and administration through testing on various academic disciplines.

 Social Studies are one major category of STAAR alongside math, science, and reading skills. Social Studies is foundational to establishing a worldview which determines the social, political, economic, emotional, and even spiritual well-being of a specific culture. Therefore, knowledge of history sets the course for 21^st century USA customs and mores as time goes forward. Social Studies, including World History and US History are a secular subject, but the underpinning of social studies is ultimately rooted in spiritual truth.  That truth is that all history is at its core, HIS…Story, God’s story.  God has revealed Himself in creation. The oral and written record of humanity on planet earth is in context that God is the Author. The parameters for setting an historical timeline are established with an understanding of origins. Origin of the universe and of humanity is either from a secular or Biblical worldview.  A Biblical worldview is the recognition that the Source of all is God Himself. Paul addressed the great scholars of Athens and spoke this truth to them at their assembly on Mars Hill. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; ²⁵ nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; ²⁶ and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and exist, Acts 16:24-28

Thus history is HIS…Story. Jesus is literally the Power that created and now sustains the universe.  Correct answers to the STAAR test or EOC (End of Course) Assessment are bubbled in on the scantron because of  adequate study and preparation by students and faculty. By contrast, an understanding of HIS..Story is not a grade earned, but is a gift that is accepted (or rejected)  by faith. God’s Word proclaims HIS…Story of redemption, restoration, resurrection. Each “student” has opportunity now to receive the HIS…Story correct answer, which is the Grace of the Cross and the power of the Empty Tomb. The ultimate EOC (End of Course) Assessment is when Jesus returns.  HIS…Story prophesies the future as well as telling of His work through past centuries.  Celebrate His…Story now through the Presence and Power of the resurrected Jesus!

Heart Change

The National Basketball Association continues to set higher and higher standards for attendance and television ratings.  The NBA is more than just a game–it’s big business also.  The popularity of professional basketball is even greater during the NBA playoffs than the regular season. The first round of the 2014 playoffs began in April and will climax with the championship series in June. Understandably, the focus during the NBA playoffs normally is the basketball game and the action on the court. The media broadcasts and reports on the various games with highlights featuring the skills of some of the best athletes in the world. Fans cheer for their hometown teams or favorite players and “trash talk” on which team will advance through the rounds to play in the championship.

The playoffs began this year with that same emphasis on the games on the court.  All that changed on Friday, April 25^th. A recording was released to the media on that day that has dramatically shifted the focus away from the ballgames to an intensive look into the very culture of the NBA. The recording is a conversation which includes insensitive, racist comments by Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. His comments are certainly inflammatory, but this is only the most recent chapter in a long history of questionable actions and attitudes. The fact that Sterling has been a 30 year member of this very exclusive club of 30 franchise owners in the NBA is now a public embarrassment to the league. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been quick to bring a ruling in response to his comments.  Silver issued a lifetime ban from any involvement with the NBA or the Clippers franchise.  He is also counseling the NBA Board of Governors to force Sterling to sell the Clippers. Although the process for forcing the sale is yet to be determined, it is a foregone conclusion that the actions of the Board of Governors will be enforced.

As Christ-followers in this 21^st century culture, this NBA racism incident teaches life lessons on how believers in Jesus are to impact the culture. One lesson is that racism is unacceptable in the USA, and certainly must be denounced by Christians of every ethnicity. Another lesson is that the root of racism or any wickedness is the heart not just the external words or actions. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  Jeremiah 17:9 Therefore, the goal for the Christ-follower is to lead others to have a change of heart.  Above all else, guard your heart,   for everything you do flows from it.  Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Proverbs 4:23-24 A third lesson is that God changes the hearts of people. God speaks love as an offer of grace. Any person can have a change of heart. The gospel is that Jesus forgives all sin and thus any person can experience grace.  When an individual is in a love relationship with God, Christ transforms hatred and bigotry into loving authentic fellowship with other people. This change is the result of new life in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand... how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. Romans 5:1-2,17

Much has been achieved and\ yet there is more to be done to erase racism from American culture. True unity is possible in the fellowship of Christ Jesus. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith … for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 The NBA is certainly an example of cultural and racial diversity, but the local church must be the fundamental “Association” of love and respect for all persons in  the USA and for all the nations.