I know, I know. This is opening a HUGE can of worms to blog on this topic. Everyone seems to have a very passionate opinion on the issue of pro-life and pro-choice, but read the subject title, again: I'm discussing pro-life versus anti-abortion, not pro-choice.
Pro-life means you are FOR life: ALL life. You are against the needless killing of any creature and 100% against the killing of human beings from the moment of conception until the moment they die of natural causes or disease or accident. You must be against the death penalty in order to truly be pro-life.
Anti-abortion mean you are for life only as it regards pre-birth life. You are pro-death penalty and you have no problems with the slaughter of animals for no purpose. You are only concerned about the life of an unborn child being preserved.
Pro-choice can also sometimes be defined as pro-abortion. Some people think if you are pro-choice then you are automatically pro-abortion, but that's not necessarily the case. A person who is pro-choice believes it is the right of the pregnant woman and the man who impregnated her to make the choice whether the pregnancy is terminated.
Now, I am very much pro-life. I don't believe in the killing of any animal without there being a need to do so: food, population control in the wild, diseased, etc. I do not believe in kill shelters for dogs/cats, etc. I do not believe in the willy-nilly killing of animals for sport. And I definitely do not believe that anyone has the right to take the life of another human being! Whether that human life was just conceived or whether that human life has lived 100+ years or whether that human life is comatose, vegetative and has no possibility of getting better. I believe wholeheartedly that only God can make the decision when a person's time on this earth is done. Period.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
True Pure Socialism
The truest and purest form of socialism is found, and described, in the Bible. Specifically in the 4th chapter of Acts, verses 32 to 37.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Now, what we today call socialism is a much different creature than what is described in these 5 verses of scripture because today's "socialism" is a man-made, man-controlled creation while the socialism described and enacted in the 4th chapter of Acts was a construct and creation of Holy Spirit. The purpose of the socialism described was that no one in the church would lack anything they needed.
But above and beyond that calling of Holy Spirit to ensure no one in the church lacked anything, Christ also taught us that we were to give to the poor, the orphans and the widows. In fact, the apostle Stephen was stoned because there was an uproar among the Hellenists who believed their widows were not receiving a fair share because of prejudice. Sound familiar?
Another precept that Christ taught was that if we see someone in need and we have the means to meet that need but don't, offering only the words, "go and be filled" or "go and be warm", etc., then we will suffer the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment. He also taught us that if someone asks us for something, and we have it, we are to give it, even if it's the only one in our possession. He gave the example that if someone asks for our cloak we are to give our coat, as well. If they ask us to walk with them one mile, we are to walk with them two. In other words, if someone asks for help we are to give double what they ask for.
I know I struggle with these teachings as far as putting them into practice. It's difficult, at best, to give to someone when I feel they may be scamming me, but Jesus never said we have an out if we feel they're scamming us. He simply said we are to give. In fact, the truth of the matter is, we are told that we are not responsible for it once we give, it is only our obedience to give and the rest is in God's hands.
I know many who complain about the government helping the poor in the United States. They rightly claim it's not the government's place to take care of the poor. It is, in fact, the responsibility of the church and the Christians of this nation to take care of the poor, but somewhere along the line we have dropped the ball. In fact, the loudest voices complaining about the government taking care of the poor are the church going Christians who are doing nothing at all to help the poor! I know this because at one point I was one of the loudest of the loud!!
If we truly want the government to stop taking care of the poor and needy in this nation then we need to step up to the plate and take responsibility for what Christ told us and fulfill His command to meet the needs of those who cannot meet their own needs for whatever reason. And we must do so with no strings attached and no questions asked, just as Jesus and the disciples did in those first decades of the Christian movement.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Now, what we today call socialism is a much different creature than what is described in these 5 verses of scripture because today's "socialism" is a man-made, man-controlled creation while the socialism described and enacted in the 4th chapter of Acts was a construct and creation of Holy Spirit. The purpose of the socialism described was that no one in the church would lack anything they needed.
But above and beyond that calling of Holy Spirit to ensure no one in the church lacked anything, Christ also taught us that we were to give to the poor, the orphans and the widows. In fact, the apostle Stephen was stoned because there was an uproar among the Hellenists who believed their widows were not receiving a fair share because of prejudice. Sound familiar?
Another precept that Christ taught was that if we see someone in need and we have the means to meet that need but don't, offering only the words, "go and be filled" or "go and be warm", etc., then we will suffer the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment. He also taught us that if someone asks us for something, and we have it, we are to give it, even if it's the only one in our possession. He gave the example that if someone asks for our cloak we are to give our coat, as well. If they ask us to walk with them one mile, we are to walk with them two. In other words, if someone asks for help we are to give double what they ask for.
I know I struggle with these teachings as far as putting them into practice. It's difficult, at best, to give to someone when I feel they may be scamming me, but Jesus never said we have an out if we feel they're scamming us. He simply said we are to give. In fact, the truth of the matter is, we are told that we are not responsible for it once we give, it is only our obedience to give and the rest is in God's hands.
I know many who complain about the government helping the poor in the United States. They rightly claim it's not the government's place to take care of the poor. It is, in fact, the responsibility of the church and the Christians of this nation to take care of the poor, but somewhere along the line we have dropped the ball. In fact, the loudest voices complaining about the government taking care of the poor are the church going Christians who are doing nothing at all to help the poor! I know this because at one point I was one of the loudest of the loud!!
If we truly want the government to stop taking care of the poor and needy in this nation then we need to step up to the plate and take responsibility for what Christ told us and fulfill His command to meet the needs of those who cannot meet their own needs for whatever reason. And we must do so with no strings attached and no questions asked, just as Jesus and the disciples did in those first decades of the Christian movement.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Christians Painting Rosy Pictures Are A Disservice To Others
Many Christians say their lives are an open book, when the truth is, they hide the hurts, the pains, the mistakes and the missteps of their lives from view. Recently an acquaintance complained that elder Christians she had gone to for help were suffering from the same problems she had gone to them for help with. She felt as though they should be "beyond" those problems since they had been saved for some time. In my own life, I've had other Christians chastise me because I speak about my problems dealing with pain, loneliness, depression and hurt. I should be "above" those things, by now, according to them.
I truly do try to live my life completely open for any and all to see what it is I'm going through: the joys, the glories, the victories, the pain, the loss and the heartaches, as well. It isn't helpful to young Christians to view elder Christians as having perfected living to the point that we don't have the same problems they have. When they have that perception, they become disillusioned and disappointed as the young woman I mentioned earlier because they learn that we, too, are human. When the preacher and his wife present themselves to the congregation as having a perfect marriage in which they never have disagreements or anger they do a disservice to their congregation, as well as presenting a lie to the fold. No one has the perfect marriage without any problems. A marriage without disagreements is one in which the partners don't care about the other any longer and each is living their own life.
My grandparents were married for 52 years and I would say they had a great, solid marriage. Yet, they still had arguments; even heated arguments. And sometimes those arguments were over very trivial matters. But they chose to love one another and work through their problems and differences rather than surrender to the difficulties and hardships and go their separate ways. Many a young couple today could stand to study a marriage like my grandparents had instead of looking at the marriages of many pastors of many churches in this country because those pastors have put up a false facade of perfection.
What's truly sad is that as Christians we somehow think because we've been saved for 30+ years, we have to put up a front of having overcome all the stumbling blocks and hardships, trials and tribulations. In fact, we're harming the younger generations by doing thus because when they face those same hardships they somehow feel they've failed because they didn't measure up to the standard we've set before them. Jesus was truly our example for this: He was the living, incarnate God in the flesh, yet He faced temptations and trials. He even told us we would always face those trials and tribulations, disappointments and struggles, but that we should always hold on to our faith because He would always be with us.
And so, I will continue to share when I'm going through a hard time; I will continue to praise when I'm going through a glory time, and through it all I will give all the glory and praise to Christ Jesus, for He is my source, strength and sustenance. And maybe, just maybe, some younger Christian will look at my life and know that they're not failing when they go through the hard times, as well.
I truly do try to live my life completely open for any and all to see what it is I'm going through: the joys, the glories, the victories, the pain, the loss and the heartaches, as well. It isn't helpful to young Christians to view elder Christians as having perfected living to the point that we don't have the same problems they have. When they have that perception, they become disillusioned and disappointed as the young woman I mentioned earlier because they learn that we, too, are human. When the preacher and his wife present themselves to the congregation as having a perfect marriage in which they never have disagreements or anger they do a disservice to their congregation, as well as presenting a lie to the fold. No one has the perfect marriage without any problems. A marriage without disagreements is one in which the partners don't care about the other any longer and each is living their own life.
My grandparents were married for 52 years and I would say they had a great, solid marriage. Yet, they still had arguments; even heated arguments. And sometimes those arguments were over very trivial matters. But they chose to love one another and work through their problems and differences rather than surrender to the difficulties and hardships and go their separate ways. Many a young couple today could stand to study a marriage like my grandparents had instead of looking at the marriages of many pastors of many churches in this country because those pastors have put up a false facade of perfection.
What's truly sad is that as Christians we somehow think because we've been saved for 30+ years, we have to put up a front of having overcome all the stumbling blocks and hardships, trials and tribulations. In fact, we're harming the younger generations by doing thus because when they face those same hardships they somehow feel they've failed because they didn't measure up to the standard we've set before them. Jesus was truly our example for this: He was the living, incarnate God in the flesh, yet He faced temptations and trials. He even told us we would always face those trials and tribulations, disappointments and struggles, but that we should always hold on to our faith because He would always be with us.
And so, I will continue to share when I'm going through a hard time; I will continue to praise when I'm going through a glory time, and through it all I will give all the glory and praise to Christ Jesus, for He is my source, strength and sustenance. And maybe, just maybe, some younger Christian will look at my life and know that they're not failing when they go through the hard times, as well.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Compromising Our Beliefs To Achieve Our Goals Is Not Going To Gain God's Blessings
I either missed the speeches where President Obama called for the taking of monies from some people to distribute it to others or I'm completely stupid because I have no memory of such speeches. Yet, I keep hearing people talking about how that's what he wants to do, plans to do and is trying to do. Someone please point me to the exact speeches, or budget proposals, where President Obama has laid out those plans.
I know there are no such speeches or budget proposals. These are simply the scare tactics being used by those who are opposed to President Obama. In our present political landscape, if you can't find something to oppose the incumbent or opposing candidate on, you make up something. This is, in fact, called lying. Yet, it goes on each and every day and in each and every election. Why are we, the American people, putting up with such?
We continue to call ourselves a Christian nation yet we compromise our beliefs in order to achieve our goals. I do not believe God blesses our compromise because our goal is good. We must walk the upright path at all times even if it means we do not achieve our goals. I, personally, would rather fail being honest than succeed being deceitful.
I have said many times that there are plenty of things about President Obama to dislike without having to make up stuff, fabricate stuff or intimate stuff. And I would rather his opponents be truthful and transparent rather than deceitful and secretive because if they're deceitful and secretive during the campaign they're going to be deceitful and secretive once they're elected. There is no way someone is going to win an office using lies, distortions, secrecy and the bending of the rules then turn around and suddenly become honest, straightforward, transparent and compliant once they take the oath of office.
I know there are no such speeches or budget proposals. These are simply the scare tactics being used by those who are opposed to President Obama. In our present political landscape, if you can't find something to oppose the incumbent or opposing candidate on, you make up something. This is, in fact, called lying. Yet, it goes on each and every day and in each and every election. Why are we, the American people, putting up with such?
We continue to call ourselves a Christian nation yet we compromise our beliefs in order to achieve our goals. I do not believe God blesses our compromise because our goal is good. We must walk the upright path at all times even if it means we do not achieve our goals. I, personally, would rather fail being honest than succeed being deceitful.
I have said many times that there are plenty of things about President Obama to dislike without having to make up stuff, fabricate stuff or intimate stuff. And I would rather his opponents be truthful and transparent rather than deceitful and secretive because if they're deceitful and secretive during the campaign they're going to be deceitful and secretive once they're elected. There is no way someone is going to win an office using lies, distortions, secrecy and the bending of the rules then turn around and suddenly become honest, straightforward, transparent and compliant once they take the oath of office.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Taking Our Country Back
I keep hearing people of all political stripes talking about taking our country back. Back to where? Back to George W. Bush's era? A time when we were borrowing from China in order to finance two wars at a rate which increased the national debt faster and higher than any time in history? Back to the beginning of the greatest recession since the Great Depression?
Back to the era of Bill Clinton? A time when the United States was losing the respect of more nations so quickly that we fell from the number one position as the most respected and highest regarded nation on Earth?
Back to the time of George H. W. Bush when the economic downturn was so vastly ignored by our government leaders that the best statement to describe those four years was/is, "It's the economy, stupid!"
Back to the time of Ronald Reagan when 'trickle down economics' was the national policy? When the middle class decreased at the fastest rate since the middle class started being monitored? When more than 50% of our national budget was spent on military expansion?
Back to the time of Jimmy Carter when unemployment was in the double digits, inflation was in the triple digits and the lines at the gas pumps stretched for blocks?
Back to the era of Richard M. Nixon/Gerald Ford when the American people finally became aware of the deceit and illegal activities that were going on on Capitol Hill? When it was revealed that the U.S. government keeps a file on the majority of the U.S. citizenry documenting our most personal information, choices, shopping history, etc.?
How about back to the 60's when there was a massive war on the American people by our own government? When protesting the government was considering anarchy, illegal and when there was a huge war between the races?
How about back to the 50's when women had few rights, blacks were required to sit at the back of the bus, drink from separate water fountains and weren't allowed to use the public restrooms whites used?
I don't want to take our country "back", I want to see our country move FORWARD. Toward something that is good, where people are considered based on their ethics, morals, behaviors, achievements and education. Where gender and ethnicity has absolutely no consideration when determining jobs, pay, housing, etc. A country where the rights of each and every citizen is guaranteed, protected and defended, even if someone doesn't agree with their opinion, stand, speech, etc.
I know, I'm a dreamer; I'm longing for Utopia, et al. Or maybe it's just that I'm longing for Heaven. But I think the U.S. could come a lot closer to Utopia/heaven than where are currently, and much closer than we would be if we were to go "back" to any time in the past.
Back to the era of Bill Clinton? A time when the United States was losing the respect of more nations so quickly that we fell from the number one position as the most respected and highest regarded nation on Earth?
Back to the time of George H. W. Bush when the economic downturn was so vastly ignored by our government leaders that the best statement to describe those four years was/is, "It's the economy, stupid!"
Back to the time of Ronald Reagan when 'trickle down economics' was the national policy? When the middle class decreased at the fastest rate since the middle class started being monitored? When more than 50% of our national budget was spent on military expansion?
Back to the time of Jimmy Carter when unemployment was in the double digits, inflation was in the triple digits and the lines at the gas pumps stretched for blocks?
Back to the era of Richard M. Nixon/Gerald Ford when the American people finally became aware of the deceit and illegal activities that were going on on Capitol Hill? When it was revealed that the U.S. government keeps a file on the majority of the U.S. citizenry documenting our most personal information, choices, shopping history, etc.?
How about back to the 60's when there was a massive war on the American people by our own government? When protesting the government was considering anarchy, illegal and when there was a huge war between the races?
How about back to the 50's when women had few rights, blacks were required to sit at the back of the bus, drink from separate water fountains and weren't allowed to use the public restrooms whites used?
I don't want to take our country "back", I want to see our country move FORWARD. Toward something that is good, where people are considered based on their ethics, morals, behaviors, achievements and education. Where gender and ethnicity has absolutely no consideration when determining jobs, pay, housing, etc. A country where the rights of each and every citizen is guaranteed, protected and defended, even if someone doesn't agree with their opinion, stand, speech, etc.
I know, I'm a dreamer; I'm longing for Utopia, et al. Or maybe it's just that I'm longing for Heaven. But I think the U.S. could come a lot closer to Utopia/heaven than where are currently, and much closer than we would be if we were to go "back" to any time in the past.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
When I Feel I've Failed God in His Calling
I'm just a man.
I'm just an ordinary man.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better by shining God's light.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better by shining God's light of love.
Today I feel like I've failed God. When I first truly understood God's calling, I thought, "Whew! That'll be easy! What could be easier than sharing God's love and getting His people to understand that it's about love. To show the lost and hurting that His love has already overcome all their problems, their hurts, their disappointments and He's waiting with open arms to embrace them in an amazing cocoon of His divine, perfect love? I truly believed that I had escaped one those difficult missions God sometimes gives His people; ya know, going to a third world country where the people are starving, thirsting, have nothing but a hovel to live in and know nothing about God. I thought that would be just too difficult for me to do.
Was I ever in for a massive surprise! I've come to realize sharing Jesus with someone who knows nothing about Him is relatively simple. They have no preconceived notions about Him. They don't have years of believing their dogma and mindset are in accordance with His Word. There are no stubborn lines in the sand to cross with those who know nothing about Him. But, going to those who have grown up in a church or spent years and years in a pew believing that's all they are required to do. And those in third world countries haven't spent years being taught and embracing this concept of "tough love" which has no basis, or even a remote resemblance, to God's Word!
I've been accused by people who claim the name of Jesus of being everything from misguided to deceived. I've been accused of trying to sow discord amongst the church or lead people down a path away from Christ and the cross. I've even had Christians tell me, point blank to my face, that I am not a Christian because I've challenged their long-seated notion of what showing God's love is. I found out that what I thought was going to be an easy calling has turned out to be one of the hardest things I've ever attempted to do and I've often questioned whether I'm up to the task. And, I'll admit there have been times I've questioned whether I heard God correctly, even.
Of course, God is ever faithful, and during those moments of uncertainty, questioning and even doubt, He has always reaffirmed His call, His mission for my life and truth of what my message is supposed to be. That doesn't make it any easier to face Christians, whom I love and respect and admire, who question me, accuse me or even condemn me. At those times I remember that the religious of Jesus' day were the very ones who mocked Him, accused Him, charged Him and were ultimately responsible for His death. That's right, the ones who were supposed to be God's representatives here on Earth were the ones who had Jesus put to death! Granted, that was God's plan all along, that Jesus would come, live, minister, die and be raised from the dead. There is no redemption from sin without sacrifice and Jesus became the final sacrifice for every sin ever committed on the face of this planet by every single person who has ever lived, from Adam right down to you and me, today. Considering there are 7 Billion people on the planet today and who knows how many billions between those living today and the day Adam fell, that's a whole lot of sin to take on His shoulders!
I will not abandon my calling. I will not walk away from the message that love is severely lacking in our modern, 21st Century lives. There's an old song from the 60's that is more appropriate today than ever before: 'what the world needs now is love, God's love.' But, those lyrics could also be changed to 'what the church needs now is love, God's love' and still be equally accurate. There's too much hate coming out of our pulpits, today.
Too much hate coming out the front doors of our churches.
Too much hate coming from the hearts and mouths of Christians each and every day within their daily lives.
No, not every Christian is hateful. And even the ones who do speak hate don't speak hate all the time and toward everyone in their sphere of life. Yet, there is still hate being broadcast out of the hearts of Christians and churches, today. And just as the Word tells us that light and darkness cannot reside in the same place, there is no place in the heart of God's children for both love and hate. Hate will take over and become the main emotion being spread.
Loving someone does not mean you accept their sin. It doesn't mean you approve of the lives of those who are living in sin. But there are scriptures that tell us how we are to behave when we truly live a life of Christian love.
The first scripture is this: Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. What does that mean? For today's Christian living in the United States of America, it could be worded as: There is neither Republican nor Democrat, there is neither rich nor poor, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Oh, I know, I've just spoken heresy as far as some Christians are concerned. But let me explain something to them, and to you: not every Republican is a Christian. And there are Christians who are registered Democrats. I know many Christians think that you cannot be a Democrat because of some of the planks in the Democratic platform, but I can be part of an organization and not agree with every single part of what they believe or do. Just as I can love someone and not approve or condone every single thing they do or say. I'm sure those who are condemning Democrats don't believe and support every single part of the Republican party's platform, either.
And I've found that the surest way to identify those who are struggling with truly loving each and every person, whether they are Christian or not are those who use the tired, and often false, old cliché: Love the sinner, hate the sin. For God that is an easy principle to put into practice, but not quite so easy for humans. We have trouble separating the two and in our hate for the sin we wind up hating the sinner and punishing them for what we consider to be their sin.
Oh, I know sin is sin, but Paul also told us, what is sin for me may not be sin for you, and what is sin for you may not be sin for me. That's a very difficult concept for us to swallow as well. Another scripture that tells us how to live as Christians who truly show love to everyone involves the story of the woman caught in adultery.
I find it interesting that the men who brought that woman and threw her to the ground at Jesus' feet only brought the woman when the Law of Moses is clear: when a man and woman are caught in the act of adultery, both are to be stoned to death. So, where was the man involved in this adulterous act? It's impossible for someone to commit adultery alone! But, Jesus' response, in John 8:7, tells us how we, as Christians who live our lives in and with love are to behave: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.
Now, to be 100%, technically correct, as Christians we've been forgiven our sins, so we are, in His sight, without sin, but we all know that as human beings we continue to commit sin each and every day. Not a single one of us makes it through 24 hours without committing some type of sin. There was One there, however, who met the criteria Jesus laid out: Jesus, Himself. He truly was without sin, so by His own words He could have picked up a stone and thrown it at the woman first. But what did He do? He lifted her to her feet, forgave her and sent her on her way. Yes, many will scream, 'He told her to go and sin no more!' Yes, He did, but how many of you "sin no more" since you've been saved?
And I know many will now turn and say that I'm throwing stones at my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know this because they've done so many times, already. I am not throwing stones, I am following scripture, (Galatians 6:1) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Trust me, I've very aware of this temptation. When I was new to this calling, there were times I struggled mightily with the temptation to hate those who refused to hear what I was trying to share with them. I've since come to understand that it is only my place to share what God has given me to share. I cannot force anyone to hear it or apply it to their lives. Do I hate those who don't hear? Do I hate those who call me names, hurl insults and even accuse me of being deceived/un-Christian? No, I don't. I love them just as much as I did before those things happened. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt my feelings, my heart and soul when they make those statements, I am, after all, human.
Jesus also gave us clear instruction when someone refuses to hear us: (Matthew 10:14) And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake the dust from your feet. Now, Jesus was talking about witnessing to the lost who refuse to hear our testimony and the Good News, but it applies when speaking to our Christian brothers and sisters, as well.
I love so much and want to share that love with each and every person I come into contact with, whether saint or sinner. And I've been called to share that love and teach that love to not only the sinners but also to the saints. Although I sometimes gets discouraged and feel as though I'm failing in my calling, I will not stop. I will not give up. For love covers a multitude of sins (or slights/insults/hurts). I will only give up on telling an individual about God's love when that individual flat out refuses to hear me and the Word of God. And when I do turn away from that person, I will shake the dust from my feet, and Jesus tells me in Matthew 10:15, Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city (or person)!
I'm just an ordinary man.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better by shining God's light.
I'm just an ordinary man called by God to try to make the world a little better by shining God's light of love.
Today I feel like I've failed God. When I first truly understood God's calling, I thought, "Whew! That'll be easy! What could be easier than sharing God's love and getting His people to understand that it's about love. To show the lost and hurting that His love has already overcome all their problems, their hurts, their disappointments and He's waiting with open arms to embrace them in an amazing cocoon of His divine, perfect love? I truly believed that I had escaped one those difficult missions God sometimes gives His people; ya know, going to a third world country where the people are starving, thirsting, have nothing but a hovel to live in and know nothing about God. I thought that would be just too difficult for me to do.
Was I ever in for a massive surprise! I've come to realize sharing Jesus with someone who knows nothing about Him is relatively simple. They have no preconceived notions about Him. They don't have years of believing their dogma and mindset are in accordance with His Word. There are no stubborn lines in the sand to cross with those who know nothing about Him. But, going to those who have grown up in a church or spent years and years in a pew believing that's all they are required to do. And those in third world countries haven't spent years being taught and embracing this concept of "tough love" which has no basis, or even a remote resemblance, to God's Word!
I've been accused by people who claim the name of Jesus of being everything from misguided to deceived. I've been accused of trying to sow discord amongst the church or lead people down a path away from Christ and the cross. I've even had Christians tell me, point blank to my face, that I am not a Christian because I've challenged their long-seated notion of what showing God's love is. I found out that what I thought was going to be an easy calling has turned out to be one of the hardest things I've ever attempted to do and I've often questioned whether I'm up to the task. And, I'll admit there have been times I've questioned whether I heard God correctly, even.
Of course, God is ever faithful, and during those moments of uncertainty, questioning and even doubt, He has always reaffirmed His call, His mission for my life and truth of what my message is supposed to be. That doesn't make it any easier to face Christians, whom I love and respect and admire, who question me, accuse me or even condemn me. At those times I remember that the religious of Jesus' day were the very ones who mocked Him, accused Him, charged Him and were ultimately responsible for His death. That's right, the ones who were supposed to be God's representatives here on Earth were the ones who had Jesus put to death! Granted, that was God's plan all along, that Jesus would come, live, minister, die and be raised from the dead. There is no redemption from sin without sacrifice and Jesus became the final sacrifice for every sin ever committed on the face of this planet by every single person who has ever lived, from Adam right down to you and me, today. Considering there are 7 Billion people on the planet today and who knows how many billions between those living today and the day Adam fell, that's a whole lot of sin to take on His shoulders!
I will not abandon my calling. I will not walk away from the message that love is severely lacking in our modern, 21st Century lives. There's an old song from the 60's that is more appropriate today than ever before: 'what the world needs now is love, God's love.' But, those lyrics could also be changed to 'what the church needs now is love, God's love' and still be equally accurate. There's too much hate coming out of our pulpits, today.
Too much hate coming out the front doors of our churches.
Too much hate coming from the hearts and mouths of Christians each and every day within their daily lives.
No, not every Christian is hateful. And even the ones who do speak hate don't speak hate all the time and toward everyone in their sphere of life. Yet, there is still hate being broadcast out of the hearts of Christians and churches, today. And just as the Word tells us that light and darkness cannot reside in the same place, there is no place in the heart of God's children for both love and hate. Hate will take over and become the main emotion being spread.
Loving someone does not mean you accept their sin. It doesn't mean you approve of the lives of those who are living in sin. But there are scriptures that tell us how we are to behave when we truly live a life of Christian love.
The first scripture is this: Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. What does that mean? For today's Christian living in the United States of America, it could be worded as: There is neither Republican nor Democrat, there is neither rich nor poor, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Oh, I know, I've just spoken heresy as far as some Christians are concerned. But let me explain something to them, and to you: not every Republican is a Christian. And there are Christians who are registered Democrats. I know many Christians think that you cannot be a Democrat because of some of the planks in the Democratic platform, but I can be part of an organization and not agree with every single part of what they believe or do. Just as I can love someone and not approve or condone every single thing they do or say. I'm sure those who are condemning Democrats don't believe and support every single part of the Republican party's platform, either.
And I've found that the surest way to identify those who are struggling with truly loving each and every person, whether they are Christian or not are those who use the tired, and often false, old cliché: Love the sinner, hate the sin. For God that is an easy principle to put into practice, but not quite so easy for humans. We have trouble separating the two and in our hate for the sin we wind up hating the sinner and punishing them for what we consider to be their sin.
Oh, I know sin is sin, but Paul also told us, what is sin for me may not be sin for you, and what is sin for you may not be sin for me. That's a very difficult concept for us to swallow as well. Another scripture that tells us how to live as Christians who truly show love to everyone involves the story of the woman caught in adultery.
I find it interesting that the men who brought that woman and threw her to the ground at Jesus' feet only brought the woman when the Law of Moses is clear: when a man and woman are caught in the act of adultery, both are to be stoned to death. So, where was the man involved in this adulterous act? It's impossible for someone to commit adultery alone! But, Jesus' response, in John 8:7, tells us how we, as Christians who live our lives in and with love are to behave: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.
Now, to be 100%, technically correct, as Christians we've been forgiven our sins, so we are, in His sight, without sin, but we all know that as human beings we continue to commit sin each and every day. Not a single one of us makes it through 24 hours without committing some type of sin. There was One there, however, who met the criteria Jesus laid out: Jesus, Himself. He truly was without sin, so by His own words He could have picked up a stone and thrown it at the woman first. But what did He do? He lifted her to her feet, forgave her and sent her on her way. Yes, many will scream, 'He told her to go and sin no more!' Yes, He did, but how many of you "sin no more" since you've been saved?
And I know many will now turn and say that I'm throwing stones at my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know this because they've done so many times, already. I am not throwing stones, I am following scripture, (Galatians 6:1) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Trust me, I've very aware of this temptation. When I was new to this calling, there were times I struggled mightily with the temptation to hate those who refused to hear what I was trying to share with them. I've since come to understand that it is only my place to share what God has given me to share. I cannot force anyone to hear it or apply it to their lives. Do I hate those who don't hear? Do I hate those who call me names, hurl insults and even accuse me of being deceived/un-Christian? No, I don't. I love them just as much as I did before those things happened. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt my feelings, my heart and soul when they make those statements, I am, after all, human.
Jesus also gave us clear instruction when someone refuses to hear us: (Matthew 10:14) And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake the dust from your feet. Now, Jesus was talking about witnessing to the lost who refuse to hear our testimony and the Good News, but it applies when speaking to our Christian brothers and sisters, as well.
I love so much and want to share that love with each and every person I come into contact with, whether saint or sinner. And I've been called to share that love and teach that love to not only the sinners but also to the saints. Although I sometimes gets discouraged and feel as though I'm failing in my calling, I will not stop. I will not give up. For love covers a multitude of sins (or slights/insults/hurts). I will only give up on telling an individual about God's love when that individual flat out refuses to hear me and the Word of God. And when I do turn away from that person, I will shake the dust from my feet, and Jesus tells me in Matthew 10:15, Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city (or person)!
9/11 - 11 Years Later
Eleven years have passed since that horrible day when foreign terrorism first touched the shores of the United States of America. The attacks on the Pentagon, World Trade Center and the plane that crashed in that Pennsylvania field were not our first taste of terrorism. But it was our worst, and the first time foreign forces had brought it to our soil.
Some people don't understand why I don't like to talk about 9/11. They comment and post their remembrances with banners that say "We will never ever forget!" and they include all kinds of patriotic imagery. They talk of our unity to fight terrorists, and encourage us to stand up and persevere in the fight against terrorism. But, I tend to not make a big splash on this day. I tend to post very little on social media, at all, and I don't usually post those images or banners or cries for remembrance and vengeance.
Some who don't know me have even said I'm un-American or not patriotic because I don't join in to the noise, fracas and the plastering of images and slogans and cliché on the internet. Those who do know me worry about me because they know I am all of those things but they also know it's unusual for me to be so quiet for an entire day. The truth of the matter is, my heart breaks anew every 11th of September. My heart and soul grieve not only for the 2,998 souls lost on that horrible day, but also for the sense of unity and patriotism that we shared in the days and months following.
We were neither Republican nor Democrat, neither black nor white, neither rich nor poor; we were simply American. For a brief time we laid our differences aside and became united. It sort of reminded me of what Paul said in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." There was a unity not seen in this country in many years; several generations, in fact. We came together to grieve for those lost, even though the vast majority of Americans did not know, had never met or even heard the names of those who were slain in New York City, Arlington, Virginia or in Pennsylvania. The pain and loss of the families and friends of the victims became a national pain and loss.
My prayer is that as we post our remembrances and encourage one another to never forget that we not limit ourselves to remembering that we were attacked or seeking vengeance against those who perpetrated those attacks, but we also remember the unity we shared in those dark days and the hope we held for those brief few months afterward that we could, once again, BE the United of the United States of America.
Some people don't understand why I don't like to talk about 9/11. They comment and post their remembrances with banners that say "We will never ever forget!" and they include all kinds of patriotic imagery. They talk of our unity to fight terrorists, and encourage us to stand up and persevere in the fight against terrorism. But, I tend to not make a big splash on this day. I tend to post very little on social media, at all, and I don't usually post those images or banners or cries for remembrance and vengeance.
Some who don't know me have even said I'm un-American or not patriotic because I don't join in to the noise, fracas and the plastering of images and slogans and cliché on the internet. Those who do know me worry about me because they know I am all of those things but they also know it's unusual for me to be so quiet for an entire day. The truth of the matter is, my heart breaks anew every 11th of September. My heart and soul grieve not only for the 2,998 souls lost on that horrible day, but also for the sense of unity and patriotism that we shared in the days and months following.
We were neither Republican nor Democrat, neither black nor white, neither rich nor poor; we were simply American. For a brief time we laid our differences aside and became united. It sort of reminded me of what Paul said in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." There was a unity not seen in this country in many years; several generations, in fact. We came together to grieve for those lost, even though the vast majority of Americans did not know, had never met or even heard the names of those who were slain in New York City, Arlington, Virginia or in Pennsylvania. The pain and loss of the families and friends of the victims became a national pain and loss.
My prayer is that as we post our remembrances and encourage one another to never forget that we not limit ourselves to remembering that we were attacked or seeking vengeance against those who perpetrated those attacks, but we also remember the unity we shared in those dark days and the hope we held for those brief few months afterward that we could, once again, BE the United of the United States of America.
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