“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3)

One brother in Christ we can remember in prayer is Pastor “Bike” Mingxuan. Pastor “Bike,” known for traveling thousands of miles across China on a bicycle to evangelize, was arrested by Chinese police just two days before the Olympics began. He was the inspiration behind a unique wrist band project which encouraged people to pray for China, and has resulted in more than 800,000 bands to be circulated. To learn more about the Olympic Prayer Band, click here.

According to Voice of the Martyrs, Pastor Bike and other Chinese evangelists had been repeatedly harassed by Chinese officials leading up to his arrest. Please pray for the release of Pastor Bike and his wife. And in this Olympic year, please remember the prisoners.

Yesterday, I was called for jury duty and spent all day at the courthouse in the jury selection process. I was never called to go up front and answer the questions before the judge, but I still found it to be an interesting experience. I realize our governmental system has many flaws, but I’m still very thankful to live in a country that upholds the rule of law, and involves the common people in the trial process.

At the beginning of the day, about 70 potential jurors squeezed into the meeting room to watch an orientation video. I found my way to a corner in the back and remained standing. The video gave an overview of our court system, and then re-assured all of us that serving as a juror will be very gratifying. They explained that after a jury is selected, there are three basic components of the trial: the opening statements, the examination stage, and the closing arguments. This is followed by the jury deliberation and final sentencing.

The video said that whereas all the witnesses and evidence are presented during the examination stage, the closing arguments give two “points of view” of the facts: one from the prosecution side, and one from the defense side.

That comment really struck me. The closing arguments give two points of view. Come to think of it, these views are contradictory (one says the defendant is guilty; the other says he is innocent). They are mutually exclusive. It would be absurd to say both the prosecution and the defense points of view are true. And if the jury, at the end of their deliberation announces, “We find the defendant both guilty and not guilty,” the judge would either cry or laugh.

Yet is this not what so many postmodernists today believe? Truth is all a matter of your perception, of your experience, of your feelings. In other words, of your personal point of view. What’s true for one person may not be true at all for someone else. Your god, your religion, and your code of ethics may work great for you, but I have a different god, religion, and code of ethics. And don’t you dare impose your religion upon me!

Common sense teaches us (and our court system confirms) that when two or more points of view contradict each other, only one of them can be true. Our greatest purpose in life is to seek out the truth, and to embrace that which is good, and right, and beautiful.

I believe in the God of the Bible, and that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. I believe this not because I took a blind leap of faith early in my life, but because God has revealed Himself, drawn me to Himself, and confirmed Himself to be true through all the biblical, historical, archaeological, scientific, and experiential evidence.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is not my personal “point of view.” It is God’s. And His is the only view that matters.

Our family loves watching the Olympics. Last night, we were transfixed by men’s gymnastics, fencing, and even badminton, of all things!

Here are four Olympic athletes with unique Christian testimonies that you may want to keep an eye on:

Allyson Felix
(Track and Field – United States)

Allyson is the son of Paul Felix, a pastor who also happened to be my Greek professor at The Master’s Seminary. In Athens, Allyson (aka “Chicken Legs”) took silver in the 200m, which is her specialty event. This girl is fast. Very fast. She could win up to three gold medals in Beijing if she makes it on the U.S. 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Her first event is the 200m on August 19 at 11:20 am. Update on 8/21: Allyson won the 200m silver medal in a season best 21.93 seconds.

Jennifer Nichols
(Archery – United States)
Jennifer is from Cheyenne, Wyoming. She seems to have stunning accuracy, both in her archery and in her faith. On her NBC Olympic profile page, Jennifer says the Bible is her favorite book, and she openly confesses Jesus as her Savior and Lord. She has passed the Ranking Round and advanced to the Individual 1/16 Elimination Round. Her next archery match is on August 14 at 11:48 am. Update on 8/14: Jennifer lost to Nami Hayakawa from Japan in the 1/16 Elimination round. The score was 105-103. A close match!

Elvis Burrows
(Swimmer – Bahamas)
According to a school press release, Elvis is the son of an alum at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In fact, Elvis used to swim laps in the pool at the seminary. He will be competing in the Men’s 50m Freestyle (Heat 8) on August 14 at 6:47 pm. Update on 8/14: Elvis swam the 50m in 23.19 seconds and took seventh place.

Ryan Hall
(Marathon – United States)
World Magazine reports that Ryan is a devout Christian who has given God all the glory for past victories: “It isn’t the records, championships, or medals that make life fulfilling. It’s the life of following Christ.” Ryan is from Big Bear, California, and is scheduled to compete in the Olympic men’s marathon on August 24.

On Sunday evening, August 3, I had the privilege of preaching at our former church, Placerita Baptist Church in Newhall, California. The topic for the night was “The Persecuted Work of Christ: The Painful Path to Glory.” We looked together at Jesus’ discourse in John 15 and noticed four facts about persecution:

1. The Promise of Persecution (Jn. 15:18-21)

2. The Pinnacle of Persecution (Jn. 15:18-21)

3. The Purpose of Persecution (Jn. 15:22-25)

4. The Paraclete of Persecution (Jn. 15:26-27)

Studying and preaching this passage really opened my eyes to the importance of Christ’s persecution, the dark reality of persecution over twenty centuries of Christianity, and the tremendous value of the Holy Spirit in times of affliction.

You can download or listen to the sermon here.

As you may have noticed, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. Natalie, the kids, and I just returned from a week of vacation with my in-laws in Central California. We had a wonderful time with them, and I have some special memories I plan to share later on the blog. But no matter how good a vacation is, there’s just no place like home.

As we pulled into the driveway last night, I think all of us were excited to be home. Even little Heidi was grinning from ear-to-ear when I showed her the nursery and laid her down on the living room floor to play.

The joy of a comfortable home, a familiar bed, and a regular routine reminded me last night that all those who know Christ are awaiting a future day when we will arrive “home” once and for all. In this life, Christians are permanent travelers; Peter calls us “aliens and strangers” (1 Pet. 2:11). But Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (Jn. 14:3), and it is actually better to leave this body and be at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).

When Jesus calls us home to be with Him in heaven, we will experience the most joyful and satisfying homecoming ever.