We Christians like to make a big deal about how our culture, America is really going to seed. And it doesn't take much effort to see the effects of sin upon our society. Read the newspaper, listen to the radio, check your email or go online and visit the Drudge Report or other online sources. Also, in your daily life you run into a lack of virtue.

However, two recent news events reinforce the biblical idea that "where sin abounds, grace does much more abound." (Romans 5:20-21).

• First, Sully Sullenberger. Unless you're under a rock, you know that this guy had quick thinking, calm in a storm, and landed that plane in the only spot it could safely land--on the Hudson River. Put 99% of other pilots in that position and they fold under the pressure and people die. I'm not sure if he's a Christian (I don't think Matt Lauer asks those questions!), but he definitely demonstrated a biblical trait: grace under pressure and peace in a storm.
• Second, I'm really impressed with this captain, Richard Phillips, who recently gave up his life so that the crew of his ship, captured by pirates, would be let go. And then he daringly tried to escape. He strikes me as a fearless, courageous guy I'd want captaining any ship or vessel I'm on. Also a wonderful picture of salvation. Jesus himself said, "Greater love hath no man than this: a man who lays his life down for his friends." (John 15:13).

I know there are ten thousands reasons to be discouraged about our culture, about America, about our leaders, etc. But it is also encouraging to know that our generation has courageous, fearless men like Sully Sullenberger and Richard Phillips. They are a refreshing contrast to the lack of integrity displayed by so many in the current financial crisis.

Its tempting to think our society and our age is so dark, dark beyond reach. But if you study history, you'll know that God always raises up good men and women in every time period.

And maybe, just maybe, God is calling us to be that light. In fact, I know He is. So maybe instead of complaining, whining, listening endlessly to talk radio and cable news, we could just do something about the darkness. We can live out our faith in a way that points others to the Savior.

I just finished my Good Friday sermon and boy am I juiced for Friday. A few nuggets to chew on:

What put Jesus on the cross? Was it the religous authorities? Was it the Romans? Was it our sin? Or was it something else? Find out on Friday.

Some quotes and verses to meditate on:

Horatio Spafford wrote:

My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

I have a really cool story about my book, Teen People of the Bible. Several months ago, a Pakastani church-planter was in Rochester, New York, preaching at a church and raising funds for his mission. He is a native Pakistani pastor who conducts revival meetings and plants churches across Pakistan.

While he was in Rochester, New York, he stayed in the home of a family. The man, whom I've yet to meet, had somehow got his hands on a copy of my book, Teen People of the Bible. He showed it to this Pakistani missionary and said, "You've got to read this book. Its great." So he did.

He liked the book. In fact he liked it so much he began using it to teach his fellow pastors in his various seminars and training. I had no idea a devo book for teens would be used that way! The pastors like it so much they want to translate this book into their native language. I talked to him on the phone recently and he said, "Dan, it seems like you wrote this book for the Pakistani people." I'm pretty sure I didn't have that mission field in mind, but I'm not going to argue!

I'm not sure how it will all work out with the translation, rights, etc. My publisher is working that out. But I do know this. God can take our feeble attempts at sharing the Word and spread it in ways we never imagined. From my laptop in Round Lake, Illinois to my publisher in Birmingham, Alabama to the home of a Christian in New York to the churches and people of Pakistan.

Today is election day in Lake County, Illinois. And Gages Lake Bible Church is privileged to offer our facility to the county as a polling place. I'm always encouraged every election day by the dozen or so dedicated men and women who serve as election judges. These are folks who took time off from work or school and sit for over 12 hours, making sure we have a fair election. We Americans tend to take this for granted, as if every person on the earth has the opportunity to voice their opinion on who leads them, but it is a rare thing this form government.

I've travelled overseas a bit. I've spent time in India and in the Middle East. I've seen how messy governments are in other countrys, whether its a sort of cobbled-together democracy or a dictatorship or a police state. The common, ordinary person doesn't have any say in who make the laws. I'm always glad to come back and touch down in the U.S. and know that our Republic runs relatively smoothly, that we have a peaceful transfer of power from party to party.

We all know that America has problems. We know there is a values crisis. We fear what is coming. But for the moment, let's stop and praise God today to live in a country that is free, that allows us to worship freely, to preach the Word, and to live out our faith. That freedom is owed in part to these faithful poll-watchers and election judges who give of their time. If you see one today, give them a pat on the back and a thank-you.

That was my reaction to the news, delivered in an email from a friend while I was driving to Indiana yesterday (I don't recommend the email/driving combo, nor does my wife, the nervous passenger). The email said, "Bears Got Cutler."

Here's the deal. I'm a huge Bears fan. I've always loved their teams. They've always prided themselves on defense and an okay, usually bad, offense. I've never liked that. Why can't we have a really good quarterback like other teams? It always seemed the Bears were destined for mediocrity at that position. I mean we're talking about Sid Luckman being our last really good quarterback and good ole Sid played during WWII.

I am so juiced by this trade. The Bears never go out and get the hot guy that is available. But we did, somehow! I think Jay Cutler will make the Bears contenders. I don't think they gave up too much. I think he'll make our wide receivers better. Also, they shored up the offensive line by signing Orlando Pace from the Rams.

I'm not sure where I work the spiritual angle in here. Maybe to say that if God presents an opportunity, go for it. That's kind of weak, but that's all I've got.

Go Bears!

One of the things I enjoy most is listening to Bible preaching on my iPod. Anyone who knows me for more than 5 minutes will get a sales pitch on a) why they should own an iPod and b) why they should be into podcasting. There is such a wealth of rich Bible preaching available today that there is no excuse why anyone to not understand and learn and know the Word of God.

But enough of that. This morning, both on the way to playing basketball with the guys at Faith Church and on the way into the office, I was listening to one of my favorite Bible expositors, Michael Easley of Moody Bible Institute. Currently, his program, In Context is airing a series of chapel messages entitled, "Why We Believe What We Believe." Dr. Easley did this series to affirm the essential truths of the Christian faith. Its an important series for a culture that eschews absolute truth and for a church easily pushed from its orthodox moorings.

As he wrapped up his message on the Bible, the inherent Word of God, Dr. Easley shared a quote from Sam Harris, athiest, skeptic, and author of Letter to a Christian Nation. In this excerpt, Harris essentially said, "One of us is right. If the Bible is true, then I have spent my life in vain and I will perish in eternity forever." Sobering words, but Easley ended his lecture by saying what a privilege it is to be in the community of faith, centered around a book, God's Word, that offers life, when everything else offers death.

This message hit me and for a second I thought to myself, How profoundly grateful I am to have been born into a Christian family, raised in a Bible-believing church, trained in a Christian school, Christian college and afforded the opportunity to work in Christian ministry for over a decade. Sometimes us second-generation Christians lose our wonder. We have always known Christ.

Today, stop for a second. Bow your head and thank God for being a Christian. For knowing the God of the Universe, who hung the stars, created the human cell, and breathed life into you and I. We know Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and thru Jesus have access to the throne room of Heaven. What's more, we each hold in our hands the Scriptures, God's rich Word. And praise God for the parent or the pastor or the coworker or the brother or sister or radio pastor who exposed you to the truth.