Silly String Assassin

Back in my college days we played a game called Assassin. The rules of the game were simple. We tried to assassinate each other with silly string. That's right, sports fans, we ran around campus firing silly string at each other. Once hit, you were out. Usually one game lasted a week so we used lots of cans of string. The only safe place was a dorm room or class room. Professors frowned upon shooting string in class. Even though rules prevented us from shooting in class, we always carried our cans.

I remember sitting in Group Psychology with Dr. Early listening to him lecture about group norms. Group norms are the acceptable behaviors groups set for themselves. An example would be a group of friends eating lunch in the snack dome with everyone eating their own food not snatching random food from each other's plates. Wait, this was college. We did that. Never mind. Anyway, group norms are the acceptable behaviors groups set.

Dr. Early explained our next project was to violate a group norm and write about it. He wanted us to intentionally violate an acceptable norm.

With silly string in my back pack, the idea spontaneously came over me. He continued explaining the project and like a bullet shot from a gun, I stood up and walked to the front of the class. No one expected what happened next. I emptied my can of silly string all over Dr. Early. He was covered with purple string in seconds. The shocked gasps turned to applause and finally a standing ovation from my classmates.

Al he said was, "Class, that's how you violate a group norm."

I got a B- on the paper.

Refuge ...

Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19

These two passages describe the establishment of Cities of Refuge in ancient Israel. Six cities were established as refuge for those who committed manslaughter – the accidental death of someone. If someone caused the death of another a member of the deceased person’s family had the right to take the life of the accused. The avenger had to retaliate against the killer before he made it to a city of refuge. Once inside the city the avenger could not pursue. Protection only came within the city of refuge.

This seems to be another puzzling passage of why God asked ancient Israel to establish different or peculiar laws and practices. He clearly wanted His people to live differently. He established a system of justice ruled by mercy.

Why did God establish cities of refuge? He was painting another picture of His spiritual redemptive work for humanity. The cities of refuge were a picture of Jesus.

The Bible applies this picture of the city of refuge to the believer finding refuge in God on more than one occasion:

Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. More than 15 other times, the Psalms speak of God as being our refuge.

We can flee to Jesus for refuge when the accuser chases!

Jesus vs. City of Refuge:

Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach for the needy; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge. The cities were within one day’s travel.

Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite. No one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need.

Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around.

Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.

Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death.

With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest. Those accused stayed in the city until the death of the current High Priest. Upon his death, they were free. What an incredible picture of the work of our High Priest, Jesus. He set us free upon His death for our sin.

Shine, Jesus Shine

Judges 6-8

I always wondered why God asked Gideon to circle the bad guys at night while holding lamps covered with clay pots. I'm sure you remember the Old Testament story of Gideon. He assembled potential soldiers for the battle. Through a series of tests, the Israelites army was reduced to 300 men. Under the cover of night, the small army, armed with lamps, surrounded the enemy camp. When Gideon blew his horn, the 300 broke their clay pots exposing the light from their lamps. What a goofy way to win a war. God was definitely using His creativity when He came up with this idea.

Gideon: "God, how are we going to win with 300 men?"

God: "Get some lamps, clay pots and horns."

Gideon: What about swords and bows?"

God: Naaahhh. Not gonna need em."

Gideon: "Are we gonna set em on fire?"

God: "Circle their camp tonight. Wait for my signal and break your pots."

Gideon: "Then we set em on fire!"

God: "No, just run around blowing your horns."

Gideon: "You're serious?"

God: "Trust me, I've done this deliver My people thing before."

Ok, that may be my version of the conversation but you get the point. Gideon trusted God. He knew Israel would be delivered from their enemy. By the way, who is your enemy? Are you being pursued and persecuted? If so, God is your source of delivery.

So, here I am trying to figure out why God used clay pots and lamps. Then it hit me right in the face. Does that ever happen to you? Read a passage of scripture for the 100th time and all the sudden it comes to life clobbering you with something so obvious it makes you feel stupid? Well, that's what happened.

Many times the Bible refers to us as clay in the potter's hand. We are also referred to as light. So here it is. I finally understood this passage. God was painting a picture of our spiritual lives. His light only shines through our brokenness. We are the clay pots being held in His hands. When we are broken, He is able to be seen as the light of the world. Our brokenness reveals His light. If you don't understand what I mean, I would recommend you study the Scripture about light, clay and brokenness.

Lick the Windows, Bang Your Head and Ride the Short Bus...

This coming week is National Mental Health Care week. You can do your part by remembering to contact at least one unstable person to show you care.

Well ..... my part is done. Your turn! Follow my example by sending this encouraging message to a disturbed friend. I don't care if you lick windows, bang your head against a wall or take the short bus .... you hang in there sunshine, you're special ....

Message of the Day: Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, And Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that makes you smile.

Faith in Faith

We are taught in Hebrews and other Scriptural references to have faith. Sometimes faith can be spiritually fatal. When we pursue faith in faith the result is tragic. Many Christian leaders teach a brand of faith contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Some of these leaders can be seen on flat screen TV’s across the country broadcasting this word of faith or revelation knowledge lifestyle. By abandoning the Biblical teaching of Christ, mainstream Christianity has allowed this movement to derail our hope of teaching true faith in Christ not faith in faith.


Thousands of unsuspecting and spiritually immature Christians have been devoured by faith healing and word of knowledge leaders because the Church has not dealt with these false teachers appropriately. Far too many Christians are drinking the kool-aid and pretending this brand of Christianity isn’t harmful. It is the single greatest threat to Biblical Christianity.

Much has been written about the New Age movement, Witchcraft and Islamic fundamentalism and the threat they pose to Christianity. The word-faith, faith-healing, positive confession or prosperity gospel false teachers pose the greatest threat to Biblical Christianity.


The doctrinal difference between the Gospel preached by Christ and the prosperity gospel is striking. Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world John 16:33. In sharp contrast, the word-faith teachers promise unlimited health and wealth to believers who can conjure up their level of faith.

Jesus taught His followers not to labor for that which perishes but to labor for that which is eternal John 6:27. The prosperity gospel encourages Christians to focus on what they can receive from Christ now.


Have you heard the testimonies of businessmen who say their businesses doubled after they sowed a faith seed into some faith ministry? This teaching emphasizes getting something from Christ as opposed to the Bible’s teaching of sacrifice for Christ. Jesus has become a means to an end, and believers are enticed through slick marketing.

Jesus predicted for poverty, rejection and persecution for His followers not name and claim what you want and magically God will snap and provide.


No one can guarantee prosperity or healing. We should live by faith in Christ not faith in faith and leave the results to Him.