KOPP DISCLOSURE

How Connected Are We?

2012-02-13T09:11:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

I've got apresbytery meeting on Tuesday.

For undershepherding guys/galslike me in the PCUSA, it's a vocational hazard.

If you'renot "connected" to my/our particular franchise akadenomination, you don't care what PCUSA stands for; so why take up spacewhich bears some irony because those in it don't seem to care as much about itas they used to pretend?!?!

True.

But for folks notin my/our particular ecclesiastical ghetto, a presbytery is a bunch of pastorsand elders in equal numbers in geographical proximity who get together somuch more than necessary to make decisions/pontifications that nobody reallycares about less than more yet they do it anyway to kinda prove toconstituents that they're still really important.

Or something likethat.

Don't get mewrong.

I like ourpresbytery; and it's a lot better than most these days in that it's still kindairenic in a redemptive kinda way.

The coffee isusually good, we get brownies, and I get to see my friends, foes, peers,posers, and others.

It's just - Psst! This is a secret thatnobody should know back in the churches that underwrite the cost of thesemeetings a la gas, vehicular wear and tear, paper, refreshments, person hours,and the like - that we really don't need to meet as often aswe do for what we don't accomplish.

Again, I kindalike to go anyway to support a presbytery that's still trying to honorconnections in a John 17, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 12 kinda way.

It's worth my...

And guessing yourfranchise ain't much different in the short run, it may be worth your time toread on.

@#$%

We get advancecopies of committee reports before meetings to inform our prayers, bantering,and moaning.

What caught myattention in the recent batch was a very handsome compensatory package (salary)being given to a rookie youth director in a fabulously well-to-do church.

I compared whatthe rookie just out of seminary and about to be ordained is gonna get to thepackages that others in the presbytery who've been around a lot longer withsome having been ordained even before he was a gleam in his momma's...

Coupling thatwith knowledge of others who haven't had increases in theirs for, uh, a longtime...

Simply, therookie is gonna get lots more than an unhealthy % of our presbytery.

Parenthetically, beforethe cynical, suspicious, and distrusting assume I'm campaigning pour moi, I getpaid, uh, O.K. for the times; and while my latest book wasn't written with cashin mind/spirit, I may...

Moreover, I knowJesus has concerns when we're upset about how He can be so generous withothers...

However, if we'rereally as connected as we say we are, wouldn't it be nice to chip in connectionally to assistthose who aren't serving in such a fabulously well-to-do church that can, uh,afford to distort market value?

When I was the"senior" pastor - Don'tyou love the humility of that designation? Where does Jesus fitinto churches that already have a "senior" pastor? -of three really rich churches, I couldn't rid myself of the guilt of getting paidless than I wanted but more than I deserved until I started insisting we andeven selfish me share whatwe had with those who had not.

It seemed likethe only "connectional" thing to do in a Matthew 25 kinda way.

Again, I'm notbegrudging the generosity to the rookie, uh, free agent - I mean the Yankees do it! - butwe're supposed to care about everybody in the franchise and beyond the borders of ourparochial ghetto in a connectional Christian kinda way.

You know,"As you do it to/for them, you do it to/for..."

Because I can'teven get folks to pimp my book at presbytery meetings, I'm not gonna bring itup at tomorrow's meeting.

I hope somebodyis connectionally caring enough to do it.

It's wrong.

@#$%

Of course, thesearen't good days for any kinda connectionalism.

Let's face it.

Franchises arebeing torn apart by folks who've never read/digested true discipleshipdirectives like John 17, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 12.

Our country isbeing torn apart by increasing ideologically and politically partisan politics.

We can't even getfolks to behave at youth sports events.

Look whathappened after the, uh, Patriots lost the Super Bowl.

Boston.

True.

But that ain't alicense for anyone trying to be true to Him.

Being connectedhas responsibilities...like when anyone in our connections needs...

@#$%

One of myhomiletics professors often said, "Never end anything with aninterrogative!"

He's dead.

So I'm gonna takea risk.

Does anyonefamiliar with Jesus think Jesus would smile at churches and clergy who livethat much better than...?

Nah.

I think He'd askrhetorically, "How did you miss what I said about...?"

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

American Royalties

2012-02-09T13:51:00.002-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Though we foughta revolution to get rid of 'em/it, Americans love royalties.

Did you seeMadonna's entrance at the Super Bowl?

How aboutAmerican media coverage of the Queen's birthday?

Catch that paradein NYC?

American idol?

And how about...?

@#$%

People likeroyalties; and despite the sacrifices of America's freedom fighters over thepast 2+ centuries, we're slipping/tripping/acquiescing back to...

We want a king.

Really.

Nothing haschanged since Saul.

Read 1 Samuel 8.

Nothing has changedsince Saul and Samuel'scaution about getting what you ask for.

Read 1 Samuel 8;and while you're at it, review the first few of the big ten in Exodus 20.

Wanting a king isas stupid - yes, some things/people are, uh, stupid - as ending a sentence witha preposition.

Buuuuuuut, Americans stillwant one.

Really.

Shamelessly, Ithink of these sentences from IJust Wanna Ride (FTW): "I will never forget a startlingexchange between three young girls before Senators McCain and Obama faced offfor the Presidency. The girls dropped by to say hello and drop off some cookiesthat they made for me because..." (buy the book for more on that).

Continuing,"I asked, 'If you could vote next week, who would you vote for?' Spontaneously and simultaneously, the screamed, 'Obama! Obama!' Without tipping my political leanings on that one because I hadn't eaten thecookies yet, I asked, 'Why?' Spontaneously and simultaneously, they saidin a rather serious way for their ages, 'Because he will take care ofus.'"

Whoa.

For more, uh, buythe book.

For now, it'sjust one of the increasing illustrations of America's lust/love/longing forroyalties; noting, naturally as opposed to spiritually, the assumption that theking will, uh, take care ofus.

Read 1 Samuel 8again.

Parallels?

@#$%

I've neverstopped liking BBPBHO; and I'd like to share a Fat Tire with him and give him acopy of my book so he can mention it to Oprah and generate some cash as well assplash if you know what Imean.

I just don'ttrust him.

I mean, again,it's not that I think he's a socialist or Muslim or Kenyan or anything likethat.

It's because I have no clue who/whathe is!

He is the firsttruly secular President in American history.

As we've notedhere before, that's/he's what/who America wants.

Don't kidyourself.

That's why he wonlast time and why he'll win even bigger this time.

America doesn'twant a Christian, Muslim, Mormon, Moonie, or any other religious flavor spicingAmerican culture with such a big bully pulpit and executive, uh, power.

America wants asecularist who will, uh, takecare of us.

Screw freedom.

Psst.

Don't look nowbut isn't he, uh, you know, taking on, uh, I mean emasculating, uh, I mean forcingviolation of conscience for large parts of Christendom with thatunconstitutional ___care?

Yeah, he's gonna take care of us.

While I can'tseem to perceive a faith preference in him, which, again, is cool for mostAmericans, I do see now more than sense anymore a deep antipathy for...

Parenthetically,getting back to Madonna, BBPBHO reminds me of Madonna's performance at theSuper Bowl. Is he really saying/singing those things or just...?

But, again,that's what/who most Americans want.

Americans likekings; while hoping they'll, uh, you know, takecare of us.

Why be free ifthe king will take care ofus?

Yeah, that'sright.

I'll give up allof my freedoms if he'll, yeah, yeah, yeah, takecare of us.

I don't mindbeing enslaved.

We'll see.

@#$%

Don't get mewrong.

The insurgentsaren't that appealing.

Click on the 1/17edition (right column) for more on that/them.

I've been wearingsweater vests longer than Rick remembers inhaling back in... It'stwwwuuu. It's twwwuuu. Unlike Clinton but like the incumbent, heinhaled! Uh, so did I; but, of course, I'm not running forPresident. Besides, while he's a lot more consistently principled thanthe incumbent or any of the other insurgents, he doesn't have enough $ ororganization or backing from the GOP elites or traction to...

Newt reminds meof too many church hoppers. If he can't get what he wants no matter howthe votes are piling up, he'll ruin the party and move on. He's amy-way-or-the-highway kinda guy. That doesn't even work with theGOP. He likes to burn rather than build bridges. He's a no go for1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

If Paul wouldjust shut up about foreign policy because he sounds like mainlinedenominational seminary professors with two feet planted firmly in the air...

Nah, I'm notworried about Mitt being a Mormon because I think he's a Mormon like mostpewsitters/pulpiteers are to Biblical Christianity. You know, uh,coincidental/occasional. Really, do you think America would vote for anauthentic to Joseph Smith Mormon with all of those racist, sexist, andelitist...?

What's that?

Rick just didwhat?

Americans arerethinking the king thing?

Where's mysweater vest?

@#$%

Speaking of idolatries,our church is just about ready to dedicate a massive renovation/expansion to...

Probably Jesus.

Should be Jesus.

Hope it's...

But, you know,those plaques, pictures, and...

I wrote to ourofficers and staff, "I think God spoke to me about all of those picturesand plaques last night while walking Kopper and while exclaiming while lookingup at the beautiful stars, 'O Lord, our Lord...'"

He reminded me ofLuke 21:1-4.

I urged ourofficers/staff to meditate and chew and wrap themselves around it in a Psalm 1kinda way.

I went on,"He told me that no one's gift is no more nor no less important thananybody else's. He told me no one deserves no more nor no lessrecognition, regard, response, nor reward than anybody else."

I think it hassomething to do with the priesthood of all believers.

Anyway, Isuggested a room for some kinda "Hall of Faith" where we couldhang up the pictures of everyone who has ever been a member of the church.

I ended,"This is one of the opportunities before us now that we've renovated thebuilding. What a great time to renovate our..."

Uh, I still don'thave an updated dossier/resume/PIF.

@#$%

This is really,really, really important.

We're goingdeeper in our family of faith on Wednesday evenings in the chapel with the helpof Francis Chan's ForgottenGod; Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.

Psst.

Yes, this isrelated to the preceding in a Psalm 33:12 kinda way.

Anyway, I canthink of only one other book right now that I'd like you to buy/read/digest.

No, I'm nottalking about I Just WannaRide (FTW); though I'd really like you to...

I'm talking aboutthe Bible.

Well, severalfolks missed last Wednesday's session for lots of reasons; and, typically, Iwas asked, "Will/did I miss anything?"

For the answer,call our prayer line at (815) 544-3535.

Yeah, it'srelated to the preceding.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Booking It!

2012-02-05T19:34:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

While I don'tplan to vote for 'em, I don't get the impression that Newt or Paul are lyingwhen they speak; unlike the incumbent or other insurgents.

Seriously,whenever I listen to any of the other aspirants, I hear a voice in my head,"Liar, liar, pants on fire!"

Don't get mewrong.

Newt has givennew meaning to wearing flip-flops and Paul resides in the ozone layer ofreality when it comes to nuthouses like Iran and...

They're not gonnaget my vote; but compared to the others, they're refreshing in a they say what they mean and mean whatthey say kinda way.

Of course, I ,uh, disclosed my favorites back on 1/17 ("Endorsements forPresident and CE Director") which you can review/condemn by clicking on,uh, "Endorsements for President and CE Director" in the right column.

@#$%

Jesus said,"Let your yes be yes and no be no."

Simply, say whatyou mean and mean what you say.

That's what I Just Wanna Ride (FTW) hascome to mean for...

As I wrote it andrealized it was really going to, uh, ___ off some folks who live in the land ofpretend, I went back to advice given to me so long ago that I only startedtrying to heed in the last thirteen or fourteen years: "What you believehas got to be more important to you than what people think about you."

Sure, I wanna beliked; but not at the expense of betraying who I am or who I wanna be or whoI'm trying/praying to be or...

Jesus said, ineffect, "You gotta love Me more than..."

That makes sense.

He is God.

Review the bigten.

Here it is.

I love Jesus.

I believe He isLord and Savior.

He is God;deserving our respect and efforts to obey Him.

He is Savior; deservingour gratitude through efforts to obey Him.

He remains asSpirit; demanding our yielding to tap into His best intentions for now as wellas then.

Or something likethat.

I believe peoplewho love Jesus really try (more than less) to love Him by loving like Him -lavishly, graciously, redemptively, and unconditionally.

I believe peoplewho make that effort while admitting their shortcomings are authentic to Him;blessing Him/His along the way.

I believe peoplewho hate each other in aChristian kinda way and pose kinship to Him while being everythingbut merciful, tolerant, generous, forgiving, and the like are damnable posers.

@#$%

I was away lastweek - a delight to folks who...

Booking it!

Anyway, before Ileft, I gave a message to our family of faith about Matthew 7:12.

Look it up.

Jesus said thatone verse just about sums up howto follow Him.

Because, as a favoriteelder and staff member keep telling me, nobody reads my stuff nor hardlylistens to what I say - and I know that's true because mainlinefacsimiles have been posing a religion more than practicing the relationshipfor God knows how long now - I wasn't surprised to receivereports about naughty behavior from three other staff members and severalmembers in direct contradiction to Matthew 7:12 while I was away.

Sigh.

Of course, that'swhy Jesus came.

You know, as Paulwrote, "While we were still sinners, Jesus came to..."

Or something likethat.

Which is why wemust/should - Yes,must/should!!! - try to model something/Someone a lot betterthan...

Corbett got me totalk a lot about that in the radio link just above.

Hmm.

Book it!

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

I Just Wanna Ride Radio Interview!

2012-02-02T14:49:00.006-06:00

Check out KD's interview with Corbett on WILK News Radio!

I Just Wanna Ride! TV Interview

2012-02-01T16:29:00.004-06:00

Check out Bob's latest interview about his book! He appeared on the show PA Live last evening on WBRE 28 NBC.

Click Here to play the video!

My Birthday Confession

2012-01-26T11:59:00.002-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Counting time inthe womb which I do because God does, I turned 60 about two months ago.

While you won'tfind that listed in Parade oreven The Boone CountyJournal, Boone County Shopper, or Belvidere Daily Republican, it'skinda significant to me; 'cause I never thought I'd, uh, you know, ever be, uh,this old.

I mean I stilllisten to Jimi Hendrix.

When Paul and Igot together to bury our friend Paul in Kansas City back in 1994, we looked ateach other and asked simultaneously after comparing notes before theservice, "Who's gonna speak at the next funeral?"

Now more thanthen, I know the time left ain't as much as what's been spent.

@#$%

Now that mywife's been hired/called as CE/youth person - she's lots younger despite peoplewho believe in reincarnation thinking I'm Peter Pan - I figure folks will stop wonderingif I'm staying at First until I'm assassinated, die, or retire.

Parenthetically,I'll never retire.

I'm not the, uh, retiring kinda guy.

Psst.

People who'veleft the church during my tenure have already figured that out. That'swhy they left. They realized they couldn't outlast me 'cause my call isstronger than their, uh, uh, uh, whatever. Again, unless someone pulls the trigger or Grandpa Jacob's canceris in my system, I'm counting on more than a decade or two to keep scratchingon the surface of my relationship with Him/His.

Really, I feel sofresh and new and, uh, born anothen.

I'm learning moreand more and more every day; again, just scratching the surface of an expandedexciting adventure with Him/His.

I love Jesus moreand more and more every day and thank Him for the privilege to share Him withothers and join, uh, forces with everyone/anyone who gets it/Him.

@#$%

Certainly, He'sin charge; and like Jerry described fidelity for me so many years agobefore I only got it/Him recently, "I'll go wherever He wants me to go,say whatever He wants me to say, and do whatever He wants me to do; dependingupon His grace."

Yeah.

More than less.

Trying more than less.

I don't have anupdated resume/dossier/PIF on file with www.pcusa.orgor anybody else; but media stuff related to IJust Wanna Ride (FTW) has forced me to update my vita which issymbolic/representative of my, uh, evolving relationship with Him/His:

Vita

The Rev. Dr. Robert R. Kopp

Pastor Bob

Dr. Kopp

Chaplain Bob

Professor Kopp

Bobby

There are many other names given to meby antagonists!

While you can read what I really thinkabout this on page 161 of IJust Wanna Ride (FTW)or go to the egotistical version on pages 234-235 of my non-best-selling Fifteen Secrets, here's a real

brief summary for the curious,suspicious, distrusting, and cynical...like me:

Born on March 2, 1952 in Washington,D.C.

Non-distinguished graduate of WyomingValley West High School (1970), maxima cum laude (Wow!) graduate of King's College (1974),M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary (1977), and D.Min. from DrewUniversity (1982).

Lots of studies in Germany, Rome,Geneva, and Israel.

Is this getting impressive or what?

Stints as Professor of Homiletics atNazarene Seminary and Carolina Divinity School.

Pastor of churches since May 8, 1977(ordination) ranging in size from just over 100 to a shade under 3000.

Those last two paragraphs are reallyimportant to clergy who are into size and status regardless of what Jesus orPaul said or people figure out sooner than later.

Five non-bestsellers before I Just Wanna Ride (FTW) which, uh, I think is more importantthan anything so far that's come, I think, from Him into my noodle.

Lots of other stuff to impress thoseimpressionable posing clergy; but I'm most proud in a Christian kinda way of being a police chaplain forBelvidere and Boone County (Illinois) and just completing five years as P of abig junior tackle football league.

Of course, my day job is undershepherd of Belvidere's FirstPresbyterian Church.

Seriously, it's about who you are morethan what you do or have done.

I'm still working on the first part ofthat last sentence; meaning I'm just scratching the surface of...

I have a really, really, really bigfamily; and if I have to explain that to you...

First Presbyterian Church

221 N. Main Street

Belvidere, Illiinois

(815) 544-6402

www.belvpresbyterian.org

Sorry, don't text, twitter, orFacebook; and once I get your e-mail address, you'll...

Back in Octoberwhen I was with my covenant brothers in Montana and blessed to spend so muchtime with Eugene, I got caught up in his/His disdain for religion about Jesusmore than relationship with Him and his/His disgust with clergy who are oftenmore religious about Him/His than relational with Him/His.

Maybe that's whymy vita has...

Anyway, I wasoverwhelmed by an inspiration/indigestion.

You decide.

Does anyonereally think Jesus would wear the funny kinda stuff (vestimentum) thatclergy often wear?

Does anyonereally think Jesus would lead worship with one of our bulletins in hand orliturgies in mind?

Yeah, I can justsee Him now in Genevan robe with collar and tabs and...

And, surely, He'dget out our directories, rubrics, ceremonies, rites, a good bulletin coverservice, and...

Barf.

This section hasbeen a metaphor for...

@#$%

Speaking of mylatest book, one of our elders who gets it/Him sent one of his recent prayersto me: "Dear Father God, may Bob's book be a major tool for people to bepointed to Jesus. Open up all avenues for it to become a best-seller andbe a blessing to multitudes for Christ's sake. Amen."

Of course, my momhates it.

That's becauseit's so direct/candid that she keeps asking, "What do people in thechurch think about it?"

She's asked methat almost as much as she's bantered and moaned about me not wearing a helmetto give hope to people who hate me ina Christian kinda way.

Essentially, shedoesn't like some of the language and personal confessions; and despitecountless explanations of the genre/art of reporting, quoting, andincorporating reality into, uh, reality redemptively and that I don't usethe language personally because I try to be more creative in a Vonnegutian,Buechneristic, and Daliesque kinda way, she still hates it.

O.K.

I didn't write itfor her; and I didn't write it for "religious" people who care moreabout, uh, posing stuff than an authentic relationship with Him/His that woulddisrupt their, uh, "religion" scarcely/occasionally/coincidentallyrelated to Him.

I wrote it todistinguish posers from authentics and encourage everyone/anyone to experiencethe real Jesus who loves so lavishly, graciously, and unconditionally.

I wrote it forpeople who have not been reached by theconventional/religious/Jezebeled/posing/pathetic/polluted/nauseating-to-Jesus churchthat's scarcely/occasionally/coincidentally related to Him.

Or something likethat.

Actually, as Billso masterfully explains in one of the better reviews archived by www.bnnsradio.com, the book has more to itthan its author can grasp.

A recent reviewfrom a Presbyterian "bishop" (aka Executive/General Presbyter) inKentucky comes to mind: "Just finished IJust Wanna Ride (FTW)...Several observations...I wish it didn't, atleast to some degree, condemn me as a poser...poop...I realized I don't like toread/hear/consider the word ___ no matter what it might cause me toconsider...poop...I'm not sure whether the biker's journey is a metaphor forthe Christian's or vice versa...I'm going to buy a copy for my daughter-in-law(Presbyterian minister/Army chaplain/HD owner) and son (clergy kid and Kawasakiowner)...I'll probably buy a copy for my other son (Jeep fancier) anddaughter-in-law...Will ask my wife to struggle through the book - ___ or no___...I'm not sure whether I should say 'good work' or not...poop."

Excellent!

That's why Iwrote it.

Inspired/Indigested?

Selah.

@#$%

After sixdecades, I'm still trying to...

God knows I haveregrets.

I haven't alwaysbeen a good-or-even-mediocre-more-often-awful son, brother, husband, dad,friend, pastor, presbyter, or...

I'vetried/failed/tried/failed/tried/failed/tried...

I'm stilltrying/failing/trying/failing/trying/failing/trying...

And while italways helps to remember that cycle is exactly why Jesus came/remains/reigns -to bridge the gaps - I have regrets.

No doubts.

It's more thanthe conditioned Calvinist in me.

It's a Romans8:thing.

For anyone whogets it/Him - and I'm just scratching the surface of it/Him - it's/He's allabout redemption.

Restoration ofrelationships with Him and His.

My regrets are overshadowedby no doubts about His redemptive purposes for me/you/us.

That's why Istill...

@#$%

Though I'vepoured my heart into it to encourage people to get in touch with the real notreligiously created Jesus who's so lavishly, graciously, and unconditionallyloving, some won't like/get IJust Wanna Ride (FTW).

Though I don'tpretend/expect to have it/Him all together in my life or ministry and need toconfess and repent and depend upon His mercy as much as anybody else despitebeing paid to be holy, some, even those closest to me, will pretend/expect...

Though I've beenaround a while now, I know I'm just scratching...

And, I guess,that causes some around me along with me to itch...

Simply, I'm notsatisfied with what I've done or what I'm doing.

I'm at peaceabout it because I know He knows I'm...

But I want more!

I want to be morefaithful to Him/His.

I want to loveHim/His to...

@#$%

Why this birthdayconfession?

While I don'tknow everything - again, just scratching the surface - I have learned we neverarrive until we, uh, arrive ifyou know what I mean.

And it's O.K.

That's a big partof His message in Jesus.

Nobody getsit/Him completely right...now.

He saves us fromthat delusion/damnation.

Part of my callis to admit it for myself to free others to...

@#$%

Well, that'swhatever you judge it/me to be.

It's alot/nothing to think/pray about.

More or less,it's my birthday confession.

@#$%

BTW, I'm headingout for a few days after Sunday's service for book stuff; so no new KDs for a few days.

What a ride!

Looking forwardto the next...

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Really, Newt?

2012-01-23T13:28:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

I can't imagineelecting a President whose first name is Newt.

Oh, uh, yeah,you're right.

If we can elect aguy whose name sounds like a...

Maybe there'shope for Hucklebooey.

@#$%

Really, Newt?

While I stillthink the Mormon's gonna win to lose in November, Newt makes Bubba looklike a monk with the gift of celibacy.

It didn't play inSC.

Florida?

I don't knowabout Florida.

They're as bad atcountin' votes as Iowa.

Anybody rememberthe Bush "win" over Bore, uh, Gore?

Geez.

And if whitewomen were the overwhelming demographic that elected the incumbent, the earlypolls show they really, really, really don't like Barbie-hair-do's hubbie.

Sorry.

Gotta confessthat one quickly.

Really, thatspray net must be super glue strength.

Don't get mewrong.

The ABC interviewwith the other one was more frightening than thinking I could wake up asPelosi's roomie.

Soooooooo much anger.

@#$%

O.K., enoughmessing around.

The"issue" seems to be if Newt has really changed his ways and beenconverted to something that most Americans don't practice much more anyway butexpect from their leaders in a posing kinda way.

You know.

Fidelity.

We don't seem tomind incompetence.

We've had atleast two of 'em in a row now.

Yeah, yeah, yeah,I hear Newt is real intelligent and that he can slice and dice BBPBHO in areincarnation of the Douglas-Lincoln debates; but, again, he's so dissed by thedemographic that elected the incumbent that I can see him winnin' debates andlosin' the election anyway.

Really, how smartis he when he can't seem to figure out that he and sweater-vestedRick should cut a deal to insure the Mormon doesn't get the nod?

They're gonnakeep splitin' votes until one has the humility to...

Humility?

Foggetta 'boutit!

Back to the"issue" with Newt, does his conversion to marital fidelity seem, uh,real?

Sure.

Or maybe he'sjust gettin' too old to play around anymore.

I don't know.

But let's sayhe's authentic about his faith now.

If so, people whoshare the same kinda faith like, uh, you know, Christians are supposed toforgive and kinda forget.

On the otherhand, with 33,800 Christian denominations to prove Christians aren't reallyinto their Founder's thing on that, I'm not expectin' much.

But, then again,SC seems to have...

@#$%

If the Giants canbring back memories of 2008, then maybe Newt can bring back memories of what'spossible through Jesus.

Forgiveness.

Restoration.

I'm not sayingI'm gonna vote for Newt; but I am saying people who give him another chance getmy vote.

More important,they get His.

It's the only,uh, Christian thing to do.

Look it up.

Matthew 6:14-15.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Supreme Court

2012-01-20T09:32:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Back in Octoberwhile in Montana with Eugene and my covenant brothers, I was kinda stunned in aserendipitous kinda way to learn part of his daily devotions often begin withprayers led by John Baillie's ADiary of Private Prayer (1949).

Me too!

Always datingwhen I first open a book, I started, uh, using Baillie a month before myordination back in April 1977.

Yeah, I knowBaillie has done a lot more for him than me by reputation; but itwas still kinda fun to learn...

As a Christianin that increasingly decreasingly small part of Christendom called thePCUSA, this laud caught my attention not too long ago: "I praise Thee thatThou hast caused me to be born in an age and in a land which have known Hisname."

True, I was bornin an age and in a land that...

Today, uh, not sosure.

Any connectionbetween Biblical Christianity and my "religious" franchisethat seems so increasingly decreasingly determined to distance itselffrom Him along with America that seems even more increasingly decreasinglydetermined to distance itself from Him seems so increasingly decreasinglycoincidental.

Or something likethat.

@#$%

Michael, myfriend who manages Rain Dance Radio via www.live365.com/index.live, sentan interesting quote to me that kinda resonates with the preceding:"Someone walked into my old church and asked if it was religiouscult? We replied, 'No, if this were a cult, there would be far morepeople here.'"

Ouch.

Kinda makes methink of...

Nope, not goin'there.

Jesus does weed'em out before packin' 'em in.

Read the New Testamentsometime for more on that.

And if you reallywanna catch His drift(s) about religion gone wild and clergy gone apostate,check out Eugene's paraphrase/translation called The Message.

Do it the quickway.

Read the directquotes of Jesus.

If Eugene had ared-letter edition, we could really save some time.

Moretheless, read what Jesus saidabout "religion" juxtaposed to a "relationship"with Him and how He felt about clergy and...

Obviously, lots ofpewsitters and pulpiteers don't wanna go there.

Haven't.

It's hard to beauthentic to Jesus when you're posing "religions" only coincidentallyrelated to Him.

@#$%

That's a prefaceto saying America is going down the toilet quicker than poop through a goose;and I'm not sensing anyone in the White House or who wanna get into it getit/Him.

Politically,economically, socially, and even religiously, America is in deepening do-do.

If you can't seethat, you've got some real perception problems; meaning you're the kinda DorisDayite whothinks the elephant in the room is only a mouse with glandular challenges.

Geez.

Really, how manyinsults to God will He take before He's had it with our religiousfranchises and even country itself?

The Message: "Watchyourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast,Pharisee phoniness...You can't hide behind a religious mask forever...Don't bebluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do?...Stand up for Me...and theSon of Man will stand up for you...But if you pretend you don't know Me, do youthink I'll defend you before God's angels?...If you're knowingly attacking GodHimself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won't be overlooked" (Luke12).

Uh, oh.

@#$%

It's happening.

Go back to theelephant in the room metaphor.

Selah.

@#$%

Illustration ofwhat's coming.

Did you catch ourweenie Supreme Court's decision not to look at what's going down in Forsyth County,North Carolina?

Essentially, the folksdown there have a law that prohibits anybody from public prayers "fromincluding references to Jesus Christ, or any other sectarian deity, as part oftheir prayers."

O.K., I'll admitI'm not real keen on school teachers leading prayers for my kids 'cause neverknow if she/he/it's a Christian, Mormon, Moonie, Muslim, New Ager, witch, orwhatever.

But, c'mon, ifyou're gonna invite a religious dude/dudette to pray at your art show, LittleLeague game, graduation, or something else, you gotta expect 'em to have theintegrity to pray in public like they prayer in private or you won't be able totrust anything they say/pray/whatever.

Hmm.

Maybe that's whyso many mainline clergy are...

Or, uh, justforget about it.

Yeah, just forgetabout it.

If you're notgonna honor Him, then, well, uh, youbetter watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry, I'm tellin' you why,___ is comin' to...He knows if you've been...

Let me put itanother way; and I may be wrong on this whichI know will provoke folks to write and tell me so.

I think it'sbetter to ignore Him in our public prayers than insult Him like they wanna doin Forsyth County.

BTW, ourweenie Supreme Court decided not to review a lower court's decision tocontinue banning "sectarian" public prayers in favor of, I guess,prayers to someone somewheresomehow about something.

I guess theydon't know/care about the, uh, real Supreme Court; and if I have to explainthat to...

@#$%

Truth is only theignorantly "religious" but not true to their faith in a"religiously" pluralistic country that really doesn't give a damnabout God anymore increasingly decreasingly in practice over theory don't knowthe God of Judaism and Christianity is different from the gods of Islam,Mormonism, et.al. with no apologies to Joel Osteen.

Besides, really,who is gonna stop ya from praying in public to your...?

Moreover, if I'minvited to pray in public and someone tells me to be dishonest to who I am inreference to who He is and not pray in His name, you can forget about it. I ain't doin' it. I can't get His warning out of my noodle: "Whoeveracknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father inheaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before MyFather in heaven" (Matthew 10).

Whoa.

BTW, how do"Christian" critics of Tebow feel about that/Him?

Sorry.

Uh, not really.

Salt.

@#$%

Here's myprediction.

Uh, it's notreally my prediction.

I'm justpredicting what's been proclaimed more than predicted.

With secularismand anti-Biblical Judaism and Christianity increasingly decreasingly rulingcontemporary America in every branch of government, the yeast of ForsythCounty is gonna spread, infect, and mix into...

Let me put itsimply.

Over and over andover again, the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament warn, in effect. "Getback to God or it's gonna get a lot worse than it is right now!"

Gulp.

Help us, Jesus!

Yeah, that'sit/Him.

That's how we canbegin to turn around this...

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Endorsements for President and CE Director

2012-01-17T16:28:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

This editionincludes KD's endorsement for President of the United States ofAmerica.

Before that, Ijust endorsed my wife to become our church's next Director of ChristianEducation.

Gulp.

All of thedetails are available in First's Family UndershepherdScript (39) via www.belvpresbyterian.org.

I've been gettinge-mails all week from members and friends who keep saying how greatthat/she is...

Geez.

Nobody everwrites to say how great...

I guess thatruins any chance for me to leave; or as a suitor representing a pastor searchcommittee wrote upon hearing about it, "Seems like an affirmation of yourbelief that the Lord has called you to stay there indefinitely."

I don't know.

I've heard fromthree pastor search committees in less than a week.

Am I gettingmixed messages or what?

Please don't getme wrong.

I'm notflattered.

I figure somepeople who've left our church since I came have recommended me elsewhere sothey can come back to the open arms of folks who will say they're glad I'mgone along with presbytery members who wish the same along with...

Et tu, wifey?

@#$%

Really, go toScript 39 and read about it.

I'm gonna liveit.

I've been askedhow I'm gonna handle being her boss and husband...[Which order?]...at the sametime.

I dunno.

Never been thereor done that before.

She's been astay-at-home-mom with our boys foruhuhuhever.

Certainly, she'llbe better at what she'll do than what I do; which goes without saying no matterwhat the pastor search committees have been duped to think.

And, no, I do nothave an updated PIF (resume) on file with anyone and you can check that out ifyou're one of the many who don't believe me via www.pcusa.org.

I'm serious aboutmy call on the corner of Lincoln and Main in Belvidere, Illinois even if_______ (fill in the blank from the plethora of possibilities)isn't/aren't/weren't/current.

@#$%

Getting back tomy wife, she'll be great for the church; as the countless e-mails/callsconfirming that without ever mentioning, uh, moi...

But, really, howwill I relate to her as...?

Again, I'm notsure.

I guess oneadvantage is I can make out with a staff member and not get into trouble.

It's beensuggested that there's some kinda "conflict of interest" in the call.

That's ___!

Please.

That's insultingto me in so many ways that I won't/can't even count/list 'em.

On the otherhand, I'm used to insults.

It's a vocationalhazard.

Be that as some people will alwaysthink regardless of the truth, I've always been tougher on folkshired during my watch rather than inherited upon arrival.

While I wasfortunate to inherit a great staff at First and hadn't entertained changes andpraised God for the stability of our staff with no changes over the past sevenyears, I am convinced my wife will do His best to build upon the best of thepast entrusted to her.

Even if I'm partof the deal.

@#$%

So why am Itelling this to you?

Not sure aboutthat either.

Maybe it'sbecause I've been reminded of His always gracious yet often mysteriouslyunexpected providence.

He has His waysof surprising us.

He's always up tosomething fresh and new requiring us to stretch our proverbial wineskins tomake room for His, uh, fresh and new...

My wife wasn'teven on my radar for the job.

Then God...

Confessionally,at first, I was selfishly sinful and scoffed it off because I didn't wantanyone to think I was up to something that would rekindle recently exorcised distrust,suspicion, and cynicism.

Then God...

I did everythingpossible to make it difficult for her call to be confirmed by requiringunanimity of the search/transition team, session, and...

Then God...

Maybe I'm tellingyou about this because, maybe like me, you need to be reminded every now andthen that He's always up to something gracious yet often mysteriouslyunexpected in His providence.

Read Romans 8:28.

Even if, uh,"they" keep her and get rid of me, it'll all be part of His plan.

@#$%

As far as KD's endorsement for the big house goes, I'm not for theincumbent secularist who's killing the country along with the selfish partisanson both sides of the aisle or any of the pachydermian insurgents who may scareme even more than the incumbent in enough ways not to garner this covetedendorsement.

Ergo, I offer twocandidates - one who is non-declared while the other is pseudo-declared - foryour consideration: Robert J. Kopp (my dad) or Stephen Colbert.

You can write intheir names (primary and general elections) to exercise your displeasure withthe sorry sucker selections being offered to us.

My vote will bedetermined by one factor.

If StephenColbert is convinced by KDersto pimp my book on his show or website, my dad will have to remain retired.

So write toStephen Colbert and help ignite the KD revolutionto take back America from the Democrats, Republicans, and the rest of the...

It could be thestart of something as gracious and mysteriously unexpected as my wife having meas her...

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Learning from TT and the Packers

2012-01-16T09:30:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

While I'm wrongabout many things, I've learned some things over time.

Don't get intotinkling contests with skunks.

Trying to berational with the irrational is illogical.

Those two lessonshave helped when dealing with "Christians" like me who embarrassJesus every now and then by being so irascible, irregular, and irreconcilable.

While weshouldn't blame Jesus for some Christians who need some more Jesus in theirlives, "they" do.

Most people whosay they'd become Christians if it weren't for "Christians" aren'treally serious; just rationalizing their infidelities.

Yet, as MarkTwain said, "The church is always trying to get other people toreform. It might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little by way ofexample."

And as His heartached along with the hearts of His to see the "Christian" attack onTT, another Twainism comesto mind: "It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt youto the heart;

the one to slander you and the otherto get the news to you."

Sad.

@#$%

My dad is amid-octogenarian; and I'm so upset with him because he's so right about somuch.

I think he'd makea great President.

God knows hewouldn't/couldn't be any worse than any of 'em currently in the run.

And here's one ofthe things from him that's really helped me to incarnate our Lord'scounsel to "shake off the dust" when dealing with the aforementioned:"If people don't want me around, I don't come around. I don't playthose games."

He's taught a lotto me about differentiating authenticity from posing.

There's such abig lie polluting too many churches.

"You can'ttell if someone is a Christian!"

That's a liehatched in hell.

Calvinists,despite their OCD with double predestination, talk about showing thesigns/proof/evidence of salvation.

Lutherans,despite their OCD with grace apart from obedience, like to quote theirsub-founder: "Good works don't make a person good; but a good person doesgood works."

They got it fromPaul (e.g., Galatians 5:6; 16ff.).

They got it fromJesus (e.g., Matthew 5-7).

Geez.

Where in the helldid that lie originate.

Oh, yeah, uh,again,...hell.

@#$%

I can't get those"Christians" attacking TT out of my mind.

Actually, I can'tget "Christians" out of my mind who think God really cares about whowins "games" when there's so many more important matters like keepingposers in "their" churches and joining authentics in His Church.

Yeah, we want theposers converted to authenticity; but anyone who knows anything about theparable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23; 36-43) knows the condition of the soilhas a lot to do with the germination of the seed.

The alwaysexcellent/efficacious Gospel seed doesn't always hit paydirt/hearts.

@#$%

To the nextsomewhat related point.

I'm a Giants fan;and though I thought the Packers were on their way to the second of threeconsecutive Super Bowls, I kept thinking about 2008 as the game approached.

But,confessionally, I am taking little delight in Sunday'ssuperficial-to-what's-really-important "win" because ofthe overwhelming/overarching-to-what's-really-important "loss"that the Packers experienced in the tragic death of a coach's son just daysbefore kick-off.

I can't imagine"playing a game" when someone so close to the "team"suffered so much.

It showed.

The Packers didnot play like the Packers played all year; except for that aberration with theChiefs.

The Packers werelifeless and listless and didn't look like they were into the, uh, game.

That's becauseit's hard to "play a game" when in the midst of something of muchgreater consequence.

Yeah, the Giantsadvance; but the Packers did not lose.

Their prioritieswould not allow them to "play a game" to the best of their athleticprowess because their hearts were aching so much.

No one canconvince me that the Packers weren't the best team in all of 2011.

Really, I'd havesome real questions about the condition of their hearts if they hadplayed to the best of their athletic prowess; just as I have growingconcerns about the "Christian" attack on TT for getting caught inprayer while not being so concerned about...

Well, I wroteenough about that in previous editions.

@#$%

"Christians"can be as worldly as anyone else when it comes to shooting their wounded.

That's a big partof what's happened to TT at "their" infidelity's hand.

That's a big partof the criticism apart from the reality of what's really important that's beingdirected at the Packers for Sunday's dismal, uh, performance.

Yeah, I'm aGiants fan; but I take no pleasure in Sunday's results.

Yeah, I wouldhave rooted for the Giants over the Broncos if...; but I'm so bummed out by the"Christian" attack on TT.

Maybe it'sbecause I'm sometimes targeted by "Christians" who feel the need tohurt me to assuage their...

Maybe it'sbecause I'm often witness to "Christians" who feel the need to hurtothers to assuage their...

Maybe that's whyI'm increasingly relentless in, as one of my former homiletics professorsprescribed for the pulpit/teaching/caring, comfortingthe afflicted and afflictingthe comfortable.

Maybe that's whyI'm increasingly, uh, salty to those who must be stung to see theirself-righteous arrogance that...

Maybe that's whyI'm increasingly, uh, salving to those who've been stung by the patheticallypathological transferences of...

Maybe that's whyI spend so much time thanking Jesus for saving me despite me; because one ofthe most horrifying things about me is knowing I can be seduced into mimicking"them" more than Him and being so much more like "them"than Him.

Let me put itanother way.

Experiences overthe years.

I had to tell oneelder to confess, repent, and be restored or leave office because he didn'treally believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I had to tellanother elder to confess, repent, and be restored or leave office because hehated everybody for everything but Christ's sake.

I had to tellanother pastor to man up and enflesh reconciliation or lose all credibility forposing it in the pulpit.

I had to tellmyself to...

Realities likethat make me so glad that Jesus is my/our Savior and Lord.

Realities likethat make me so glad to know He loves/saves me/us in spite of who I/we am/areand what I/we do eternally morethan because of who I/we am/are and what I/we do.

Realities likethat make me realize part of blasphemy against His Holy Spirit is committed byme/us when I/we fail to see "their" hypocrisies reflected in me/us;or as someone once said to me, "The difference between you and me is Iknow I'm a hypocrite."

Enough rambling.

TT is so muchless hypocritical than the hypocrites who attack him; for, at least, he bows inhonor to Him no matter who's watching.

The Packersaren't hypocritical in losing to the Giants; for, at least, their aching heartswouldn't allow them to forget a grieving brother on the "team"to "win" a game.

I thank the Lordfor what I/we can learn from TT and the Packers.

Life isn't agame.

@#$%

Yesterday wasgreat!

Today has beenawful!

I just got a callfrom a pastor search committee asking if I'm interested in leaving Belvidere.

I said, "Youcalled on a good day to ask; but, no, while interested because I'm on thereceiving end of some darts, I'm called to stay for good - or, at least, theduration."

They called afterI prayed about wanting to quit.

TT and thePackers were in my mind/spirit.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Reader Comments!

2012-01-13T17:37:00.000-06:00

The following are two comments KD has received regarding the previous columns: Why America Hates Tim Tebow, Can't Get Enough/Rid of Tim Tebow, and today's (1/13/12) new post The "Christian" Attack on Tim Tebow. To fully understand the comments below we suggest reading the above prior to reading, uh...what's below.

What Did JesusDo?

Jesus Designedthe Winning Play

And this is thevictory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4

It is NFL playofftime, and that means this Sunday there will be more people attending the games,listening to them on radio, and watching on television (live or streaming) thanthere will be in worship. Actually, for most NFL fans I guess the gamesare worship. Except, perhaps when they are busier hating someone thancheering for someone. When New England hosts Denver in a Divisionalmatch-up, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will have a much simpler game-planthan his opponent. All Brady has to do is beat the Broncos. Denverquarterback Tim Tebow has to overcome the world, because the world, and lotsand lots of people, are bitterly opposed to him. Fortunately for Tebow,and for all God’s children, Jesus designed the winning play.

Actually, whilesome NFL snob-types like to tear down Tebow because he is far from the classicdrop-back quarterback, many more boil with murderous rage against him becauseof his faith. Well, while I regularly root for just about anybody whofaces the Patriots, and have a long-standing affection for the Giants, I have aconfession to make—I don’t really care all that much about the NFL. Orthe NBA, or MLB, or the NHL, or college football, or even college hoops (Lastyear I even went cold turkey and did not watch a second of March Madness, onlylearning that UConn won a couple of days after the fact on the internet). So it won’t really matter much to me who wins this weekend. But I do careabout Tim Tebow, love him even. That’s why, even before the game’splayed, I know that Tebow will come out on top. In fact, I guarantee thatTebow will be a winner this weekend. How can I make such aguarantee? Like I said, Jesus designed the winning play, and Tim Tebowhas already shown that he knows how to execute it perfectly.

What’s theplay? It’s no secret, at least in Tebow’s case, though there are way toomany Christians who like to keep it under wraps. No, Bill Belichick won’thave to deploy any spies or try and intercept any signals from the sidelinesthis time. Tebow has a simple game-plan that he follows, and when hecomes at you, well, he’s pretty much a straight ahead runner. Not a lotof deception, faking, or feinting for Tebow, he’s just aimed toward the goalline. So, here’s the play that ensures victory for Tim Tebow, and forevery believer—faith. Jesus designed, he pioneered and perfected,faith (Hebrews 12:2). Yes, I admit, faith might not overcome the Pats,but I know, as Tim Tebow does, that faith has overcome our biggestopponents—the world and its ruler. Faith has even defeated sin and death!

So, while theremay be some closely fought games this weekend, the outcome for Tim Tebow isalready settled because he believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John5:5). And he has let the whole world know it, which isn’t an easy thingto do when you are in his position because it means that every time Tim Tebowtakes the field he faces more opposition than any other quarterback in the league.

I don’t know whoor what you might be facing this week. You might have been tackled by ajob loss. Maybe the clock is running out and foreclosure looms. Youmay feel defeated because of a divorce. It’s very possible that you, or someoneyou love, has heard a doctor say, in effect, “game over.” But all thesecan and have been overcome by Jesus, and we are victorious through faith inhim.

None of us, noteven Tim Tebow, may ever hold the Lombardi Trophy, or be enshrined in a Hall ofFame. But every one of us can wear a crown, and have a room in theFather’s house. Just run the play that Jesus designed, and we’ll all beeternal winners.

Jim

www.jimwilkenministries.org

@#$%

Religion in the News

I love it when religionhits the news. It gets even juicier when religion blends with ournational idols. I’m referring, of course, to the Tebow controversy. Now, I must confess, when I first heard the word ‘Tebow’ I thought it meanteither a piece of plumbing or a western movie title from the 1950’s.

Those who know meprobably know that I’m not much of a football guy. The lastfootball game I viewed was back in fall at the High School stadium. Youfootball fans can keep your NFL playoffs.

Our North Americanfootball is (forgive my blasphemy) bloody tedious. Unlike soccer, ofcourse. If you want religious fervor, there’s the sport for you. When Europe hosts a particular tournament, every match begins with their holyanthem. You expect all of Valhalla to descend.

I take teasing pleasurein reminding everyone that the Danville High School stadium is the sportsstadium, not the football stadium. We take evil delight that the veryfirst sporting match to christen the field was girl’s High School soccer,where, it just so happened, that a certain daughter of a certain pastorreceived the very first red card ever awarded on that field. Shewas not giving thanks to Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.

Unlike this Tebowfellow.

If you didn’t catch it,please check out Fran Tarkenton’s column in the Wall Street Journal about Tebowand this fuss over him taking a knee in prayer during games. Heycritics, chill out.

Tarkenton applaudedTebow as a man of character, suggesting he’s the best story of this footballseason. I paraphrase Tarkenton's conclusion, for isn’t it refreshingwe’re having a conversation about a praying Tebow rather than some idiotfootball star who gets arrested for carrying a pistol, raping a date, or who’sbeing sued again for patrimony.

Prayer at sports alwayshas intrigued me. During my Princeton Seminary days, my softball coachgave us team caps with PTS imprinted across the front. Curious washow the middle letter was shaped as a cross. It seemed a tad too preciousfor me so I clipped off the top part of the cross. Coach alsoinsisted on team prayers before we batted. No harm in that. Couldeven do some good, so long as what we prayed for wasn’t to win. God doeshave bigger things to deal with than boosting batting averages. Besides,Abraham Lincoln solved this question for me in his second inaugural address whenhe confessed how one day he realized his Presidential foe in Richmond was, likehim, praying for victory. Whom would God choose? How often we screwprayer up, treating prayer as persuasion, bribing God’s favor to get what wewant.

Which brings us to oursecond religious controversy. Should decent, Bible-believing Christiansvote for a Mormon? Some refuse, alleging Mormonism as a cult. Theyvow they only will vote for a godly man or woman (i.e., Christians). Which tells me they really aren’t Bible-believing. Look in the Bible atthose whom God used to achieve God’s purposes. We’ve got David,great King of Israel, whose personal life was terribly ungodly. He alsoraised some lousy kids. And if it weren’t for the heathen Persian KingCyrus, there’d be no Israel today. Oddly enough, the prophet Isaiahquotes God as anointing Cyrus his messiah. In fact, throughout theBible the pious ones usually are the problem. They tend to think Godworks for them rather than the other way around.

And now, another fine mess. Religion and war. A mess is exactly what happens when we go to warconfident God is on our side. Real soldiers despise war and name itungodly. Sure, war can bring out the best in us: honor, sacrifice,loyalty, courage. But that’s only because the alternative is war bringingout the worst in us. Which is exactly what war prefers to do. Guysfrom my High School mailed home to younger brothers ears they collected fromViet Cong they killed. Oh, what a lovely war. Now we have a videocirculating around the world of Marines urinating on corpses of Talibansoldiers. Not all veterans are honorable nor come home as heroes. This was crude, disrespectful, not nice. Disgraceful, yes; yethardly an atrocity. The Taliban, voicing their moral outrage, regard thisact a desecrating sacrilege. As stupid as was our Marines’ behavior, Iwonder which is the greater sacrilege: urinating on corpses or blowing upchildren?

Robert John Andrews

The "Christian" Attack on Tim Tebow

2012-01-13T16:04:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Quoting myselffrom I Just Wanna Ride(FTW):

Bikers like to say, "People ask why we ridemotorcycles.

For those who have experienced the ride, no explanation

is necessary. For those who have not really ridden, no

explanation is possible."

A mentor put it this way, "My biggest struggle is notwith

people who don't believe in Jesus. I don't expectanything

from them. My biggest struggle is with people who say

they believe in Jesus but don't act like they believe in

Jesus."

I'll paraphrase: "My biggest struggle is not withpeople

who aren't bikers. I don't expect them to understand.

My biggest struggle is with people who say they are

bikers but don't act like bikers."

Posers.

That's a prefacefor increasing concerns about the "Christian" attack on Tim Tebow.

@#$%

I haveappreciated brothers/sisters who have quoted Matthew 6:5-6 to express theirconcern/criticism/outrage/horror/disdain/displeasure/whatever for TT's faith soakin to Matthew 5:13-16; 10:32-33; Romans 1:16-17; 10:9ff.; Titus 1:16; andcountless/innumerable/overwhelming/staggering contextual texts about expressingwho we are as His.

Here's a basichermeneutical principle.

Text in context.

Geez.

But, O.K., take alook at Matthew 6:5-6.

Yeah, look it up.

O.K., Jesus isconcerned about people who parade around like posers to pretendsomething/Someone not in their hearts.

Is that what TTis doing?

Golly.

Do you really thinkTT is parading around?

I don't.

Is he the poser?

Nah.

I may be wrong;because I don't know his heart as well as his "Christian" critics.

Here's some stuffthat makes me think TT is more authentic to Jesus than those attacking himfrom, uh, their, uh, faith/perspective/weltanschauung.

TT is a lot morehumble than me or most clergy or "churchy" people that I've ever met.

Kathie tells methat she's hoping her daughter will someday date someone like TT rather than...

TT is a far moreattractive witness to Biblical Christianity than...

TT doesn't flaunthis faith like some who flaunt theirextra-Biblical-I-know-that's-what-Jesus-said-but-I-think crap.

The media zoomsin on him in his closet while he's sitting on the back bench.

Yeah, he's bowinghis head.

Yeah, his lipsare moving.

C'mon!

Is that paradingaround?

Yeah, sometimeshe drops to his knees after a touchdown or when he's leaving the field; but Ihaven't seen him rolling around and spitting and jumping up and down likea Pentecostal in heat.

Again, the mediais zooming in on him.

Is that paradingaround?

Please,brothers/sisters, lay off this young brother who is bringing more glory to Jesusthan I have in my entire life and ministry and I dare say than...

@#$%

I am so saddenedby the picking apart of a brother who is one of the humblest witnesses in myexperience.

Matthew 23.

Certainly, he'snot pure and perfect in every way.

Who is?

Jesus!

But He's God; soHe doesn't count.

Why not spendmore energy/emotion on exposing secularism in America or dark religions gettinga pass from the media and mainline denominations because they're afraid of 'emand don't fear the God of the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament enough totake 'em on or fat cats in politics and on Wall Street who wink at the poorwhile buying/financing bombs to drop in the desert or bullies in schoolyards orposers in pews/pulpits who talk about the love of Jesus while they hate eachother in a Christian kindaway over their anal theologies/polities/proprieties/blah/blah/blahor...?

Surely, I have nodoubts about the authenticity of many brothers/sisters, even Anonymous, when it comesto their concerns; but ya'll better be careful lest the bad guys use yourcritique of TT not to advance the Kingdom.

Ya'll kindareminding me of what Newt's doin' to the GOP these days.

And ya'll betterbe careful about picking on someone who just may be a tad tighter with you knowwho than...

@#$%

I think of Tony.

He led a retreatfor our officers before preaching on Sunday.

BTW, our specialmusic that Sunday was Phil Keaggy.

Cool.

It was a longtime ago when there were even more posers in pews/pulpits than today.

That's back whenI was an important high steeple poser power of a preacher.

Anyway, Tony was talkingand dropped a four-letter word.

You could seejaws drop; but Tony kept going.

Later, he saidthis, "I know some of you were offended by me using a four-letter word;but I want you to know how I offended I am by the fact that you're offended byme using a four-letter word but you're not that offended by people going tohell without Jesus, people starving because rich countries like ours don'treally give a damn about them, people getting butchered by savages in power,and churches like yours where people expose their lukewarm relationship withJesus by treating each other like ___ when they..."

Whoa.

Keep that in mindwhen you read the book quoted earlier.

Keep that inmind as you expose yourself for good, bad, or ugly when it comes to TT.

Keep that in mindwhen you crawl into the pulpit or parade around the church or gossip at thecafe about how Jesus invites, welcomes, includes, forgives, and the like whileyou remain irascible, irregular, and irreconcilable.

Keep that in mindwhen, like me, you forget your logs because you're so arrogant about your"Christianity" with its speck-inspecting license.

No.

Give me a churchof TTs and I believe Jesus will be nodding approval rather shaking his head indisgust; or as the old artist said in Woody Allen's Hannah and HerSisters, "If Jesus were to come back today and see what'sbeing done in His name, He'd never stop throwing up."

Simply, if youare authentic and not a poser, you know TT is on your/our/His side.

So save yourbullets/BS for the bad guys.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Can't Get Enough/Rid of Tim Tebow!

2012-01-11T12:37:00.001-06:00

KoppDisclosure

(John3:19-21)

@#$%

I think I'm theonly Giants fan in Belvidere, Illinois.

I've been onesince finishing second in a Punt, Pass, and Kick contest on a snowy day inNanticoke, Pennsylvania about 52 years ago.

First place gottickets to something cool and I got an "official" Giants helmet.

Please, nocomments about helmets (read pages 96ff. in IJust Wanna Ride for more on that).

Shameless.

Anyway, I'm aGiants fan.

While I stillthink the Packers will win the second of three consecutive Super Bowls, I'mreally trying to keep my big mouth shut about being a Giants fan because I'mhere on the Illinois/Wisconsin border in a church filled with equal numbers ofBears and Packers fans.

Job securitycomes to mind.

Psst.

I hear an echofrom the past: "EEEEEEEElllllllliiiiiii'sComing!"

2008.

Geez.

@#$%

I wanna get backto TT.

Man, he pumpssome up and P-O's lots more.

It's a Matthew 5:10-12;10:17ff. thing.

Luke's versionvia Peterson: "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down orthrows you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discreditme. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and thatthat person is uncomfortable" (6:22-23).

Talking to peopleabout TT is like exposing the emperor's nakedness.

One dude wrote tous with an insult after quoting Matthew 6:5 to prooftext his disdain; failing,naturally, to mention the contextual reality of Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 10:9,Titus 1:16, and so on.

Oh, how odd tosee "Christians" smearing Christiansto justify their, uh, kinda, uh, "Christianity."

Hello, Romans1:16-17!

There's a lotabout that in the book.

Yeah, that onetoo!

Shameless.

It does happen.

That's why thelittle book trying to esteem the big book - hope you get that and buy some -spends so much time differentiating authentics from posers.

But, again, yougotta read the book(s).

@#$%

Tony, part of theweekly team on the radio version of KD viawww.bnnsradio.com, brought in some stufffor the Tuesday show (click on www.bnnsradio.comand then click on the archive for the 1/10 show and then go to www.sidestandup.com and click on lastnight's show for even more stuff about authentics/posers) that will pump andP-O as, uh, uh, uh,....

Though I'm notinto numbers except for turning 60 in a few weeks, he noted somecoincidental/providential/? numbers related to TT.

The NFL banseye-black messages; but TT wore John 3:16 on his eye black for the 2009 BCSChampionship game.

He often quotesit.

Stats from Sundayare staggering/coincidental/providential/?/thought-provoking.

He had 316 yardspassing.

He averaged 31.6yards per pass.

The televisionrating for the final quarter-hour of the Broncos-Steelers game was 31.6.

Whoa.

@#$%

Enough.

Celebrate.

Seethe.

It's your choice.

Try, uh, thinking.

Go Broncos!

@#$%

What?

Did you expect asong from Madonna?

No way Madonnagoes with football.

Oops.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Why America Hates Tim Tebow

2012-01-09T09:19:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

While I'm not thekinda guy to say I told you so, I kinda told ya so right here to expect anupset of Biblical proportions during the first weekend of the NFL playoffs.

To quote JohnBelushi in Animal House, "Holy...!"

It was aDavid-over-Goliath-virgin-birth-resurrection-of-the-dead kinda upset!

Nobody, except,uh, you know who, gaveTT and the Broncos a snowball's chance in...

I guess the angelwas right: "Nothing is impossible with God."

Or as my sonDaniel, a Steelers diehard, said during and after the game, "Well, ifpeople don't believe in God and miracles after this..."

Of course, nextup for TT and the sacrificial lambs are Pharaoh and the mighty Egyptians,uh, I mean BB and NE.

It's gonna take acreation-of-the-universe kinda...

O.K., I confess.

I want themiracles to continue to force America to deal with what we've seemed toignore/insult/abandon in recent days to our increasingly obvious demise.

Salt stings tosave.

@#$%

BTW, while Istill pick the Packers to win the second of three consecutive Super Bowls, EEEEEEEllllllllliiiiiii'sCooooooomin'!

If I were aPackers fan, I'd be a tad nervous right now.

2008.

@#$%

Getting back tothe worst QB in the history of professional football according to Kiper and hisnever-played-the-game experts only contradicted by guys like Dungy and Grudenand Bradshaw and current/former players whoactually know what they're talking about because Kiperetes like the size of thedog in the fight more than the fight in the dog, why do people hate him somuch?

Just look at thepicture: Tebowing.

Now read Matthew10.

It's prettysimple.

It's the samereason why America wants to continue to be led by a secularist in the WhiteHouse.

BBPBHO is amirror reflection of America's current non-belief weltanschauung.

C'mon, even ifyou like him which I do even though I'd like to vote for somebody else if theGOP had anybody worth the exchange right now because just because somebody's anice guy/gal doesn't make her/him qualified for the big job, don't bedefensive/offensive.

BBPBHO is asecularist.

You know a treeby its...

So America willkeep him in charge because that's what/where America wants/is.

And that's thesame reason why TT is the most reviled athlete in the history of the NFL.

He ain't in themainstream.

C'mon, why do youthink so many people are so unnerved, freaked out, apoplectic, and otherwisedisjointed by Tebowing?

Why don't you seesuch expressions of outrage/shock/dismay/horror over end zone dances andcelebrations and gesturing and posturing and...?

Deal with it.

BBPBHO is exactlywho/what America wants because he is a mirror reflection of most people inAmerica 2012.

TT is exactlywho/what America doesn't want because he is not a mirror reflection of mostpeople in America 2012.

@#$%

As a dad, I'dlike TT to be a role model for my sons rather than...

It's a Psalm 101thing.

And it's much,much, much more important/eternal than football.

Go Broncos!

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Weekend Wishes

2012-01-06T10:21:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

It wasinevitable; and I'm not talking about the Mormon taking on the, uh, whatever for the WhiteHouse.

After over sevenyears of staff stability at First, our dearly beloved Jeremy accepted acall to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to do something kinda like he was doing here butwithout doing some of the stuff that he really didn't feel called to dohere so he could accept their call to do something there more inline with what he feels called to do.

Or something likethat.

So we'researching for someone who can never replace him.

Let me put thatanother way.

We're searchingfor someone who will build upon the best of what he had/did/is for the future.

Or something likethat.

Of course, beingthe church's undershepherd,I know what the search committee is thinking/discerning/deciding; and,inevitably, people will think it was my idea no matter how untrue it is if youknow, as Bubba used to say, what is is.

But, uh, whilethat was/is inevitable, that's not the inevitability that I'm gonna talk about.

Here it is.

As soon as Jeremyleft, a well-meaning fellah cornered me and said, "You should..."

I'm used topeople shouldingon me.

It's a vocationalhazard.

Moretheless, We should be and do what Hecalled and gifted us to be do and do.

Read Romans 12and 1 Corinthians 12 for more on that.

@#$%

Staying withpolitics often masquerading as spirituality, one of the greatest currentinfluences on/in my noodle wrote this in response to the last two KDs: "I have been praying for a long time, daily, thatGod in His grace and mercy will bless this country."

He went on,"America is not the Kingdom of God; never has been and never will be untiland unless all sin in all of us is gone."

Well,uh, yeah, that's true to Biblical revelation.

Continuing,"To the extent that America was built on Biblical principles, we have beenblessed; in spite of internment of the Japanese, slavery, Jim Crow, eugenics,massive abortion, etc."

Ouch in a prophetic kinda way.

Steamrollingalong, "We still have a relatively great but diminishing measure offreedom...Maybe God giving us BBPBHO...[The KD title is catching on!]...was a sign both of Hisjudgment and His grace: 'this is a glimpse of the direction the US will go whenyou get what you deserve and don't cry out for mercy - cry out for mercy soinstead I will pour out my blessings on this country.'"

Whoa.

Concluding,"I am very interested in politics, and at the same time am very turned offif not scared by politicians who portray themselves as saviors...I was nothappy when BBPBHO was elected..., but I still consider the possibility that Godgave him to us in answer to our prayers for His grace and mercy on ourcountry."

Deep.

Selah.

@#$%

Moving frompolitics to spirituality, I've already picked the Packers to win their secondof three consecutive Super Bowls.

I think theBengals will win this weekend; and EEEEEEEli'sCooooooomin'!

The rest of the favoriteswill win; however, I'm really hopin' for an upset of Biblical proportions - aDavid-over-Goliath-virgin-birth-resurrection-of-the-dead kinda upset - in onegame because it will force America to deal with what we've seemed toignore/insult/abandon in recent days to our increasingly obvious demise.

Salt.

Stings on an openwound but saves you from...

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Keeping Faith in 2012+

2012-01-04T17:07:00.001-06:00

KoppDisclosure

(John3:19-21)

@#$%

2012's firstedition of KD included my prediction that the Mormon is the"inevitable" GOP nominee to take on the, uh,not-really-sure-about-his-religion incumbent in this year's run for the rosegarden.

He's gonna cruisein NH and then ride on to defeat on November 6 as BBPBHO wins bigger than lasttime.

Truth is BBPBHOis exactly who America wants in the White House.

He is our firsttruly secular President; and that fits into America's current/increasing, uh,secularism.

Unless the Mayansare right and this is the year when the increasing intensity and frequency ofthe eschaton's birthpangs reach a climax compelling a resurgence of foxholereligious interest across the land, recent research indicates/proves BBPBHO,again, is exactly who America wants in the White House.

USA Today compiled someinteresting stats from a variety of reliable sources on 1/3/12.

46% of Americans "saythey never wonder whether they will go to heaven" (LifeWay Research).

44% "don'tspend time seeking 'eternal wisdom'" and 19% claim "It's useless tosearch for meaning" (Baylor University Religion Survey).

28% confess"It's not a major priority in my life to find my deeper purpose" and18% "scoffed that God has a purpose or plan for everyone" (LifeWayResearch).

I'm reminded ofthe coach who asked a player, "Son, what is it with you? Ignoranceor apathy?"

Player:"Coach, I don't know and I don't care."

Essentially,that's the state of religion in America 2012+.

@#$%

Previous KDs have noted these terrible stats.

85% of Americanchurches are declining.

10+ churches inAmerica close every day.

1400-1500 pastorsleave ministry every 30 days.

2% of Americanchurch members invited someone to church.

95% of allAmerican churchgoers will never lead anyone to Jesus this year.

The church hasnot made an impact on the 33,000 people who commit suicide every year; and150,000 people die every day with a very large percentage of them not knowingthe eternal assurances of Jesus because American churchgoers really don't givea...

Yeah, I know someof ya'll wanna argue those stats.

But, geez, if youthink America hasn't gone secular, you probably think an elephant is a mousewith glandular problems.

Yeah, there's aremnant of really faithful people in America.

Praise the Lord!

But, sigh, don'tconfuse a remnant with the majority; and read 2 Chronicles 7:14 while you're atit.

I'm not beingnegative.

I'm being honest.

And that's whyBBPBHO will win by a wider margin this time than last time.

He is exactlywhat America wants in the White House - a mirror reflection of our increasinglysecular nation that doesn't wanna be under God anymore.

@#$%

So how do we keepfaith in 2012+?

Or as I'd like toget a foundation to fund me for some relational research on a topic thatjust might refresh me and encourage others like me: What It Means to be Faithful in a Country that Doesn'tGive a Damn About God Anymore."

Psst.

If you're readingthis and He's movin' ya to think about funding this because foundations seem towant to refresh clergy with "renewal" grants on gardening orinterviewing their old seminary needlepoint covenant groups with the idea that,uh, that kinda stuff will refresh clergy for the really important stuff likekeeping faith in an increasingly apostate culture, I figure I can do the fieldresearch in about six weeks or less for around 10K; so if you've got it, pleaseconsider...

Seriously, I'mgonna start in my own family of faith at First in Belvidere - maybe you cansend some ideas to me - and ask WhatIt Means to be Faithful in a...

I plan to collatethe findings and put out a tract or booklet or, uh, whatever to encouragekeeping faith in 2012+.

So if you've gotideas or if, unlike most KDers,you've been financially blessed to bless, how about...

@#$%

Really, I needsome help on practical suggestions on keeping faith in 2012+; and I think thereare lots like me out, uh, there.

And while I don'tknow what to make of it, yet think it relates to my desire for more relationalresearch on it, I keep recalling one of the mostdramatic/apocalyptic/compelling moments of my ministry that occurred over threedecades ago when I was pastor of Clark, New Jersey's Osceola PresbyterianChurch.

Our church wouldexchange choirs and preachers with an African-American church in Cranford onWednesdays during Lent.

I'll never forgetour first Wednesday together for two reasons.

I saw Paul'svision for authentic faith come alive (viz., Galatians 3:27-28).

I also watchedPastor Alvin do what "they" always did at the end of everyservice.

Just before thebenediction, he went to the big entrance doors of the sanctuary, openedthem, turned back toward the congregation, and said, "We open the doors ofthis church to anyone and everyone who needs Jesus to keep keepin' on."

Then he wentoutside the doors, waved as in inviting people outside to come in, then cameback in, and prayed for people to respond to the next invitation before givingthe benediction.

That's stayedwith me for over three decades.

I think it has alot to do with keeping faith in 2012+.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Predictions for 2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Our financialsecretary's husband asked, "What's the difference between God and ourPresident?"

Biting, I said,"I dunno."

Answer: "Godknows He's not our President."

It wasa joke.

Right?

@#$%

2012 has dawned.

Everybodyincluding the Mayans are making predictions; parenthetically, according topeople who, uh, know what the Mayans were predicting whenever they predictedit, they've predicted the end of the world as we know it on December 21.

So there's stilltime for you to buy I JustWanna Ride (FTW).

Be that as I hope you do, letme start with the prediction that nobody's asked me to make: who wins the WhiteHouse on November 6.

Becausehe's such a nice guy who says nothing so eloquently and still's capturedthe hearts of soccer moms who provided the margin for his first victory,BBPBHO gets a second chance to finish off...

With theinsurgents self-destructing already, inevitable nominee Romney incapable ofpicking Rubio as the running mate who would guarantee a win, Paulpouting his way to a third party run siphoning votes from the GOP, and soccermoms still swooning, BBPBHO wins bigger than last time.

But if the Mayansor those who think they know what the Mayans thought are right, there's nothingto worry about regardless of who wins 'cause there won't be an inauguration in1/13.

@#$%

While I may bewrong and claim no, uh, you know, higher help on this, here are some otherunsolicited predictions.

Packers win the secondof three consecutive Super Bowls.

Theo does forChicago what he did for Boston and the Cubs meet the Yankees in the WorldSeries and, gulp, win; proving the Mayans were/are right.

LA is now homefor the...Clippers!?!?!

D1 college footballrivals Congress for scandals.

And staying withpolitics, the GOP keeps the House and gains the Senate which won't reallymatter because they won't have veto-proof majorities anyway; meaning even lesswill get done than...

The Supreme Courtwill knock down ObamaCare as unconstitutional because, uh, it'sunconstitutional to force citizens to buy products from the government; butwe'll still figure out a way to provide medical care for everyone because acountry as rich as ours should do that unless it wants a big spanking fromGod when the roll is called up yonder.

The economy willbegin to recover; but soon be worse than 2011 because Iran will undermineIraq, Israel will bomb Iran while Uncle Sam winks, and the Middle East willexplode as the latest nutball in North Korea makes even China nervous.

BBPBHO will avoidimpeachment by firing the current Attorney General who will join Blago in aconspiracy of silence to protect...

2011's trend of10 dying churches a day in America will continue; however, churchesthat buy, study, and mimic the Christocentric/Biblical inclusionof I Just Wanna Ride(FTW) will prune unconverted posers and experience unprecedentedauthentic revival.

Hey, send in yourpredictions and Kathie will post 'em; 'cause, except for the last one, theycan't be any more off the wall than mine.

@#$%

I'm praying 2012is the best year for everybody!

It will be if intimacy with Father,Son, and Holy Spirit is increased via worship, discipling opportunities,immersion in His Word, sacrament, fellowship, and...

2 Chronicles7:14.

Not only wasCarole King wrong in how she spelled her first name, it's never too late!

George Eliot:"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

Read John 3; andhave a happy new year!

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Greetings!

2011-12-19T10:43:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Here's how itbegan, "Greetings, O favored one! The Lord is with you; and you willbear a son and call Him Jesus! He will be great! He willsave...!"

I've presided atAdvent, Christmas Eve, and other seasonal services to talk about that/Him forover 35 years; and I still don't quite get it/Him all.

I often feel asclueless as that young 12-16 year old virgin who had to be reminded of God's sovereignty- "Nothing is impossible for God!" - before getting it/Him.

Writing aboutthis season's reason, Luther wrote, "The virgin birth was a mere triflefor God; that God should become a man is a greater miracle!"

Yeah, andlike we understand that/Him totally.

Then comes Hislife, crucifixion, resurrection, and...

Anyone who saysshe/he gets all of that/Him is as full of, uh, whatever as all of those candidates for thebig house on Pennsylvania Avenue who are trying to convince us that they knowwhat to do to, uh, save, uh, America and the rest of the world along withus.

I don't think so.

The message ofChristmas - Jesus!!! -is simple; and Peterson captures the simple truth that's so far beyond ourcomprehension that all we can do is offer thanks in a partially knowing (see 1Corinthians 13:12-13) burst of wonder, love, and praise: "The soonerwe get the message, the better off we'll be, for the message is good,incredibly good: God is here, and He's on our side...God is passionate to saveus" (from Eugene's introduction to Mark in The Message).

The sooner westop looking for someone other than Jesus to fix things/us, the sooner we'llget it/Him/Christmas/life/eternity.

That's when we'llreally get Phillips Brooks carol: "How silently, how silently, thewondrous gift is given!...Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dearChrist enters in."

@#$%

Maybe that's whyGod's angel first broke the news to that young virgin.

Maybe that's whyJesus always seemed happiest around children.

Unlike grown-upswho banter and moan about everything that's gotta be done to make the seasonbright - and ever notice how they really never get there except for a fewmoments, uh, after the big eve/day; and then they're so busily, busily, busilyoff to stress out over the next... - children just get into it/Him and couldcare less about, uh, well, uh, you know; and if you don't, that means you'restill caught up in the holly more than holy.

Take a deepbreath.

Stop being sodefensive about ruining the season for yourself by getting caught down in thepreparations more than meaning/experience.

Go to allservices this year; especially the latest one available and let Him work His...

Don't you really,really, really want to...?

Sure.

Here's someinspiration.

A man's man inVirginia who's still got the heart of kid sent this video to me.

Watch it.

Yeah, stop whatyou're doing and watch it...and allow Him to...

@#$%

Peterson wrote inPraying with the EarlyChristians: "Meditation is a nearly lost art - and not easy toacquire in a noisy world."

Psalm 1.

Then he prayed,"God, let me withdraw for a while now from the chatter and gossip of theworld, and let your words sink deeply into my mind and spirit. In thequietness of these moments, help me to realize the eternal significance of thebirth of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen."

Selah.

@#$%

Kathie and I andthe whole staff of KD (actually,uh, we're the whole staff) along with our families and the family of faith atFirst Presbyterian Church in Belvidere, Illinois are praying your Christmas and2012 will be filled with the love, joy, and peace of knowing Jesus in allseasons.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Why I Wrote The Book

2011-12-14T21:41:00.002-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

One of my friendsshowed up for coffee on Tuesday morning with a copy of the book.

Dang, I don'teven have a copy yet.

Of course, I knowwhat's in it; and before anyone asks, I thought I'd better explain why I wroteit.

I learned avaluable lesson from VMTC which learned it from 1 John 1:5-10.

It's better todump your garbage before someone else digs it up.

Somebody shouldhave mentioned that to Cain, Fine, and Sandusky.

@#$%

Maybe you've seenthe promo: "It's raw, rough, real, and maybe even redemptive; and he couldlose his day job for writing about it! IJust Wanna Ride is an Ivy League pastor's search for authenticfaith on a motorcycle after he couldn't find it after years in academics,pulpits, or pews. From his immersion into biker culture since watching Easy Rider as a teen-ager,the author holds no punches in this provocative, edgy, and risky look at hogsand those who ride 'em as a metaphor and challenge to believers andbikers. Too authentic for "church ladies" and too concernedabout "faith" for secularists, this book demands reading by all of'em if any of 'em still care about Who and what matter most sooner or later anddefinitely in the end."

I love Jesus.

I want to honorHim through the book.

I love my chromepony and biker culture.

I want toencourage the authenticity of bikers which is a metaphor and challenge topewsitters and pulpiteers.

I want toencourage freedom to be who God designed people to be - as unique as snowflakesyet as complementary and interdependent as snow.

Geez.

That was an awfulmetaphor.

Please trust thebook is better.

Really, did youexpect me to tell you why I wrote the book in Cliff Notes style?

I want you to buyand read the book!

Not read aboutit!

This KD is more about interrogatives surrounding the book; asopposed to the substance of the book.

Besides, while I thinkI know what I was/am trying to communicate, I predict folks will have their ownimpressions about its message as well as the messenger.

Matthew 23 and 1Corinthians 1 are big background hints.

Just buy it.

@#$%

It's been out inits electronic version for about two weeks via www.amazon.com.

The book version,my friend who showed up for coffee with a copy on Tuesday told/showed me, isnow out via www.amazon.com.

You can also getcopies from my publisher via http://blackoaktitles.wordpress.com/new-releases/i-just-wanna-ride-ftw/.

Or if you'd likeme to make some money on it, you can order copies from this site or order fromme at drkopp@inwave.com or drkopp@belvpresbyterian.org.

The electronicversion via www.amazon.com is $5.99 whilethe superior paperback version with really neat pictures on and in it inaddition to snugglin' possibilities is $13.95.

Annnnnnnd you can buyreally neat looking "I Just Wanna Ride" hats for $15 at this site or,again, from me at...(see above). Black. Red lettering. Betterand more authentic than the hats being sold for/by Sons of Anarchy which I still watch despiteit becoming a caricature of its former, uh, self.

Add shipping andhandling and, uh, donations if you order directly from me.

Shameless.

@#$%

Speaking of $,here's how I'm gonna handle royalties.

I want thepublisher to make lots of $ for taking the risk to publish it.

He should makethe most because he took the big risk.

As pour moi as inwhat's left over, 25% (firstfruits) goes to Jesus. I have established aline item in First's budget to receive these offerings for benevolencesand mission-minded kinda stuff.

55% goes forassistance to family and friends.

20% goes toresearch and development (e.g., research on the next book 'cause thefoundations for clergy renewal are more into gardening and needlepoint thanmounting a mule and taking a month to travel around the country to ask peopleof all persuasions What ItMeans to be Faithful in a Country that Doesn't Give a Damn About God Anymore, MCupgrade, riding $, and the like).

Slightly lessshameful.

@#$%

Some folks, nodoubt, especially posers who pretend on Sundays what they don't practiceanytime or anywhere with anyone, will have, uh, issues with the quotables in the book.

While I try toobserve Proverbs 4:24, Ephesians 4:29; 5:4, and related stuff in my personalvocabulary, integrity demands reality and the book records reality as it hasbeen relayed to...

Of course, my momis concerned: "What will some people think?"

Response:"The book is in the language of 'real' not posing pewsitters andpulpiteers who talk like angels in the sanctuary and often like sailors in thestreets. Yes, it will offend some; but as Paul noted, we must learn thelanguage of people to communicate. I'm willing to take some personalrisks to get people to discover the kinda faith that makes a difference 'causethe conventional kind ain't doin' much for many anymore."

Or something likethat.

Besides, whenposers stop their vulgar actions, then they will have the credibility toquestion what they claim to be vulgar words sooooooooffensive to...

The search forauthenticity.

That's what thebook is about.

Enough.

Just buy it.

@#$%

I probably won'tbe writing much more about what I wrote about in the book.

Book-signings,interviews, and things like that are being lined up - Kathie will keep youposted on this site - and that should...

But if you'd likeinformation on how you can host an event, just write to Kathie or me and we'lloffer some suggestions.

The mostimportant thing to me is the message of thebook that inspired the message of this book.

There is a wayfor all people so naturally separated and segregated from each other to cometogether through...

Nope, you gottabuy the book!

Of course, ifyou've been reading KD formore than a week, you already...

Just buy it.

Buy lots to giveaway in a Christian kindaway.

You decide ifit's shameless.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Advent, 5

2011-12-12T14:16:00.000-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

I don't remembermuch useful fromseminary.

It's kinda likethe old pastor with a growing church and no formal education told me just afterI arrived in town (Parkesburg, Pennsylvania) so freshly ordained with myacademic hoodie to serve a church that had been dying for a decade, "Youcan't give away what you ain't got for yourself."

True...forpulpiteers and pewsitters.

That's a big clueas to why so many churches are closing shop.

It's worthrepeating...and then looking in the mirror: "You can't give away what youain't got for yourself."

Anyway, I'mreminded of one of the few things that has stayed with me from those heady daysin seminary.

A guest preacherin Miller Chapel caught my attention with this opening sentence, "Atrustee went to see the pastor because the church couldn't afford to pay itsbills."

I thought,"Yo! This is Princeton, man! We don't talk about stuff likethat! We're into Barth, Rahner, Moltmann, and, uh, Chavez! This isso...proletarian!"

We were and mayberemain such arrogant little...

Well, he caughtmy academic attention because he was so, uh, practical and I hadn't heard toomany practical things since...

Be that as it was and may remain, hecontinued, "The pastor said to the trustee, 'I'm ascholar/theologian/pastor and, ergo, I am only concerned with thespiritual problems of the church. I don't concern myself withfinancial problems. You need to talk to the rest of the trustees andelders about this."

"The trusteereturned to the pastor after meeting with the other trustees and elders,"he went on, "and said, 'Pastor, we have a serious financial problem in ourchurch. It's so bad that we may not be able to pay your salary!'"

The pastor asked,"Why didn't you tell me it was that serious? But as you know, I'm ascholar/theologian/pastor and, ergo, I am only concerned with the spiritualproblems of the church. You need to bring up this financial problemat our next board meeting."

At the start ofthe next board meeting, the trustee stood up and addressed the pastor,"We've got a spiritual problem in our church."

I'll never forgetthat.

Truth.

There are nofinancial problems in churches; especially American ones.

Financialproblems expose spiritual problems.

Ouch.

Another quip fromthat old pastor with a growing church and no formal education: "Peopledon't give a rat's ___ what Cyril of Alexandria said. They want you totell 'em what Jesus has to say about being one of His children."

O.K., that may betrue; but it could blow the posing cover off those...

@#$%

The precedingcame to mind as I consider our current renovation and expansion on the cornerof Lincoln and Main in Belvidere, Illinois.

Aside from thetough economic climate, I've never served a church with so many financialproblems.

Uh, I mean...

Despite thefidelities of many who get it/Him, our bills exceed our expenses so much thatwe've had to almost exhaust our endowment to finish off the renovation andexpansion.

Good news!

No debt!

Bad news!

No $!

Or as I mixedmetaphors for a receptive elder on Sunday night, "We've been trying tosatisfy champagne diets on a beer budget."

That doesn't workwell with teetotalers.

Psst.

I'm talking inreference to Acts 2:14ff.

@#$%

A friend who is pastorof a poor church near Kansas City called last Saturday.

Overlooking/forgetting/ignoring/disrespecting the context of his ministry, Iwhined about exhausting our endowment to pay the remaining bills of ourrenovation and expansion.

We go way back;so I anticipated some comforting and caring counsel.

Instead, he said,"What's wrong with you? Where in God's name did Jesus ever say we'resuppose to store up treasures on earth like latter day Scrooges? Doesn'tyour Bible include Matthew 25? And what about His confrontation with therich young ruler? You should be happy God is removing the sin of storingup a pile of money so you can get your church more prepared to meet theincreasing needs of people in your neighborhood. It's not about moneyanyway. It's about being missionaries in your community. Didn't Iread that in your bulletin the last time I was with you? Beacon! Safe haven! What's wrong with you? Praise God you're being faithfuland using money for Him rather than stockpiling it like rich old..."

Ouch.

Repeat.

Ouch.

True.

As a matter ofrecollection, the churches that I've served that didn't have financial problemsdidn't have endowments.

Hmm.

That's gotta meansomething.

@#$%

Our Lord neversaid money was the root of all evil.

He said the lust/idolizing/greediness/stinginess thatwe often have for/about $ is at the root of all evil.

I look back atour endowment - looking back 'cause it's almost gone - and realize I liked itbecause there was always a cushion to pay salaries and pretend we were moremission-minded than we are as we'd use interest off dead people's $to...

I liked itbecause I trusted it.

I trusted ourendowment for our security.

I trusted thegenerosity of dead people to pay bills when expenses exceeded...

How, uh,unfaithful.

Trust is supposeto be in God alone!

Trust is supposeto be in God alone through people who know trust is to be in God alone!

Psalm 62.

I may be wrong;but the corner of Lincoln and Main is in for one of His greatest, uh,disclosures/exposures in a Matthew 25 who'syour real daddy/Daddy kinda way.

@#$%

Advent 2011 ismore about preparing for His final advent as glorious King ofkings than celebrating His first advent as Babe of Bethlehem.

Part of thepreparation is stewardship of what He's entrusted to us.

Did He bless usin order to put it in a bank for use at some later date?

Did He bless usso we could gloat in the growth of our portfolio?

Did He bless usto live off the interest?

Did He bless usfor trickles or rivers?

Did He bless usin order to spend it, depending upon our frail human judgments, in ways thatwill honor Him by being a beacon for Him and safe haven for His?

Did He bless usin order to act like the antithesis of the rich young ruler?

Did He bless usso we could say so gleefully with the young tart hawking electronic books onTV, "It's more blessed to receive than give!"?

Did He bless usto be safe in the harbor or...?

Did He bless usto pick up fruit from the ground or go out on the limb for...?

I'm not sure.

Really.

I don't pretendto have all of the answers.

I'm only human.

Yet I rememberanother story about the stewardship of investments.

Matthew 25:14ff.

Paraphrasedpunchline by Peterson: "Take the thousand and give it to the one whorisked the most. And get rid of this 'play-it-safe' who won't go out on alimb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'"

Whoa.

@#$%

Question.

Which is wiser?

Storing it all upfor someone/something for some use, uh, later on?

Giving it all upfor Jesus now forthen?

I'm not sure; butI'm gonna try to figure/pray it out before His next advent.

I don't want tobe on the wrong side of the, uh, ledger.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Advent 4

2011-12-09T14:59:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

Quickly, the endof December is approaching; andyou know what that means.

Annual reports.

I can't believeit's time to write another annual report.

Of course,considering annual reports come annually, I guess it makes sense.

@#$%

I'd rather lookforward to the future than look at my, uh, behind.

Few things areless appealing to me than writing or reading ecclesiastical rationalizations,uh, I mean, uh, annual reports.

That's because Ienvision churches as passionate, forward-looking, mountain-moving,evil-busting, mission-fueling stations more than museums or mausoleums.

Silly me.

Philippians3:12-14.

@#$%

Last year'sdisappointments can't be changed.

Last year'ssuccesses are like last year's winners of the Super Bowl - irrelevant to nowand then.

Christianity isso much less about what was and so much more about what will/can/mustbe.

@#$%

I believeChristianity, at His best, is more about making living memories by buildingupon the best of the past for a better today and tomorrow than wasting so muchtime on what's over and done and longing for the way things never were or maybewere but are no more.

I believeChristianity, as His best, is more about trusting His "better" thanbefore by making room for His fresh ways of knowing Him and making Him known(see Matthew 9:16-17).

Simply, God isalways up to something better than before in our lives and we must make roomfor His improvements.

@#$%

Of course, theseare tough times for everybody; and there are no sociopoliticoeconomicindicators suggesting things are going to get any easier any time soon.

Surely, we knowtough times expose more than build character.

That's theworldly reality.

True.

And the greater reality isovercoming the worldly reality because of the Wordy truth: "The Onewho is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John4:1ff.).

@#$%

Oswald Chamberswrote, "Our Lord said, in effect,...'You are to have no end, no aim, andno purpose but Mine'...When we are born again, we all have visions, if we are spiritualat all, of what Jesus wants us to be, and the great thing is to learn not to bedisobedient to the vision, not to say that it cannot be attained."

Philippians4:1ff. comes to mind.

That's why welook forward instead of at our, uh, behind(s).

@#$%

Advent recallsHis first coming as the Babe of Bethlehem, continuing coming into our lives asHoly Spirit, and ultimate/final coming to usher in the Kingdom in all Hisglory.

That beingsaid/true/understood, annual reports, at His best, are at, uh, His best whenconcentrating on who we can becomeso much more than how we've been.

I think that'swhat it really means to prepare the way of the Lord.

We are gettingready for His advent(s).

It's aboutpraying and wanting and working to face the future more faithfully.

It's so muchbetter to flush what's in our behind(s) in favor of moving into a futuremolded after His likeness.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Advent, 3

2011-12-07T15:20:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

That may be myfavorite song of all time; expressing my deepest desire, greatest prayer, andmost fervent ambition.

I want to live awholly holy life for Him in praise and thanks for the gift that's especiallycelebrated/noticed around this time of the year.

Of course, it'shard.

Proverbs 21:2.

That's why wecelebrate the reason for this season.

He bridges thedistance between desire/prayer/ambition and reality.

Desire/prayer/ambition:David Crowder's WhollyYours.

Reality: WillieNelson's There's Nothing ICan Do About It Now.

Or as I explainedto a brother about someone who doesn't get it/Him in the spirit of Titus 1:16:"The difference between authentic believers and posers likeher/him is authentic believers know they're hypocrites who can't savethemselves."

1 John 1.

@#$%

Near the SheepGate entrance to Jerusalem which is not too far from the Golden Gate entranceto the Temple where I visited many times when I was a really important highsteeple preacher, Jesus saw an invalid of 38 years hanging out with the blind,lame, paralyzed, and otherwise disabled people who gathered at the Bethesdapool just inside the old city because, well, uh, it was where they,uh, hung out together while hoping for something/Someone to come along to, uh,heal 'em.

Seeing theman had been hanging around at the pool for a long time in such a seeminglyhopeless state, Jesus asked eyeball-to-eyeball with disarming directness,"Do you want to get well?"

That is thequestion; and the question itself indicates emotional, intellectual, spiritual,and physical health have more to do with volition thanhyper-determinists/fatalists, uh, think.

Do you want toget well?

Do you?

Do you want toimprove?

Do you want toget better?

Jesus is morethan suggesting a direct connection between desire/prayer/ambition and reality.

Maybe that's whyHe also said, "Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you willfind. Knock, and the door will be opened for you."

Do you want to get well?

Maybe that'swhy Franklin's daddy always talked about decision.

It's a decisionto get well.

A decision to getwell is the first step to healing.

What we decidegoes a long way in determining our destinies.

Puuuuuuuhleaaaaaaase don'tget caught up in those sophomoric debates on free will versus predestination.

Even Calvintalked about volition in determining outcome (read his commentaries more thanhis commentators).

Yeah, I believewe're predestined.

The Bible saysso.

Yeah, I believe Ihave the free will to choose.

The Bible saysso.

Paradoxical?

Absolutely!

So thank God forHis ultimately gracious control (predestination) while never forgetting personalresponsibility (choice).

Enough on thatlast rabbit trail.

Let's just getback to Jesus; which is always the best thing to do now before then.

He asked,"Do you want to get well?"

@#$%

Two blind menshouted out to Jesus as He was leaving Jericho, "Lord, Son of David, havemercy on us!"

Jesus stopped andasked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

They said,"We want to be well. We want to see."

Immediately,Jesus healed them.

Clue.

@#$%

Oswald Chambers:"A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us if we are notsimple."

Have we madetrusting Jesus too complicated?

Again, OC:"Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion, it has been becausewe have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ."

Are we too smartfor God?

OC: "If weare not experiencing the 'much more,' it is because we are not obeying the lifeGod has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations."

Is it/He reallythat simple?

Jesus: "Seekfirst...[Him]...and all these things will be given to you as well."

It can't be thateasy!

True.

There's aprerequisite.

Jesus: "Ifyou had faith as small as a mustard seed, you could..."

@#$%

Regularly, peopleask me to heal them.

You know what Imean.

Sooner thanlater, I always say, "Silver and gold I do not have; but what I have, Igive you. Jesus!"

Jesus is theanswer to every question.

Only Jesus hasdivine answers to our human challenges.

Only Jesus hasthe divine ability and affection to help/heal.

Nobody but Jesushas more than Band-aids for what ails us.

Only Jesus saves.

@#$%

Remember Anna?

She was there atHis first advent as the Babe of Bethlehem.

Luke: "Shewas very old...She never left the Temple but worshiped night and day, fastingand praying. Coming up to Joseph and Mary, she gave thanks to God andspoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption ofJerusalem."

Peterson:"The Temple in Jesus' day, like the church in ours, was full of those whohad their minds on business and gossip. But Anna was there toworship. Her single-mindedness was rewarded when she recognized Jesus asGod's redemption."

Psalmist:"God inhabits the praises of His people."

Simply, God worksspectacular/supernatural/saving graces in the lives of those who worship Him really/authentically.

@#$%

Are you a poseror an authentic?

Good trees(authentics) bear good fruit.

Bad trees(posers) don't.

Getting closerand closer and closer to Jesus yields...fruit.

Conversely,moving away from Jesus yields...nothing.

Samuel:"Those who honor Him are honored by Him."

Hebrews:"God is a rewarder of those who diligently/earnestly seek Him."

Really, it's not that hardto figure out.

Posers never getit/Him; and act like it lessthan more.

Authentics getit/Him; and act like it morethan less.

It's a choice.

It's ano-brainer.

It's soooooo simple.

Just answer thequestion honestly.

"Do you wantto get well?"

Emmanuel comeswhen Emmanuel is asked: "O Come, O Come..."

@#$%

Blessings and Love!

Advent 2

2011-12-03T18:36:00.001-06:00

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

@#$%

We're busy.

Busy, busy, busy.

We're sooooooo busy that we maymiss...

It's hard to beimmersed in the wonder, love, and praise of "how silently, how silently,the wondrous gift is given" when there's so much to be done before wecan...

You know what Imean.

@#$%

Something's wrongwith a "holiday" that causes more stress than "peace on earth,good will toward men."

Recently, I askeda busy person who was sooooooobusy getting ready for..., "Aren't you afraid you maymiss the reason for the season in all of your preparations for celebratingwhat you don't seem to be experiencing?"

She snapped,"You should talk!"

Gotcha.

I was reminded ofanother pastor who said on December 1 that he couldn't find an hour tomeet with me about something important until December 16.

Is he that busy?

Actually, I got his message.

But sometimes Iwonder as I wander - if you knowwhat I mean - if we get His.

He numbers all ofthe hairs on our heads.

We don't havetime for that kinda relationship; because we're soooooo busy preparing to pretend what/Who wedon't really seem to get because we don't take the time to...

@#$%

At one of themost critical times of His/everyone's life/lives, Jesus asked,"Could younot tarry with me for just...?"

Hang outtogether.

Really relate toeach other in more than sound/text/twitter/Facebook/e-mail bytes.

Nope.

Too busy.

For Him or His.

@#$%

Carlson andLueken's Renovation for theChurch, like IJust Wanna Ride, is must-reading for churchgoers.

Psst.

Yeah, I know theother title is shameless promoting; but, really, I think...

Anyway, theywrote about a significant strategy in transforming their family of faith from acongregation of consumers into real disciples who "meet Jesus and becomemore like Him": "We need unhurried, luxurious time in solitude, doingnothing."

They explained,"We needed to experiment with simplicity. We needed to deal with ouranger and lust. We needed to learn how to abandon the outcome of ourwork. We needed to slow down. We needed to learn how to be with Godwithout an agenda."

Indeed, we'resupposed to meditate or wrap ourselves around or chew on His Word in Jesus andHoly Scripture (e.g., Psalm 1).

Baron Friedrichvon Hugel: "It is more like sucking on a lozenge than gulping ameal."

Tarrying.

@#$%

Back in Octoberduring our pilgrimage to Montana, Eugene said he spends the first two hours ofthe day "sitting on the porch, drinking tea, and...doing nothing."

That from one ofthe most renowned and "productive" authors of all time whosetranslation/paraphrase of the Bible continues to sell better thananything ever dreamed up by Rick Bell or Joel Osteen.

Psst.

That's why myauthentic covenant brothers agreed when I referred to him as "aman of primary Source."

Eugene justhangs out with Him.

He's not too busyfor...relationships.

Hint.

@#$%

I keep hearingpeople say this season just doesn't mean as much to them as it...

I think I've saidthat.

I may be wrong -of course, I don't think so because I'm gonna say it - but if we can't find anhour in two weeks for...

If we're sooooooo busy preparingfor something that we can't...

Sounds kinda sickto me.

The cure is sosimple for what's ruining...

Tarrying.

@#$%

Blessings and Love!