November 6, 2024

                             Rejecting God

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

– 1 Samuel 8:6-7

Evil prevailed yesterday. Dishonesty and greed and arrogance won. It is a struggle to try and understand how God would allow such a thing to happen.

After much prayer, the Holy Spirit led me to 1 Samuel 8. Then I understood. My heart remains broken. I will never look at many “Christian” friends the same. I’m sure they would say the same about me. Satan’s victory has left a lasting scar.

Samuel was growing older. His two sons were to judge God’s people but they weren’t like Samuel. They turned aside for dishonest gain, accepted bribes and perverted justice. That’s what the Bible says.

God’s people demanded a king instead. This upset Samuel and he took it to the LORD. God told the people what would happen but still gave them the king they demanded. Feel free to read further about King Saul. Oftentimes what we think we want, is not at all what’s best for us.

God told Samuel that the people were rejecting Him and not Samuel. Yesterday people who claimed to follow Jesus rejected Him, choosing instead an idol and their own selfish ambitions over honor, mercy, kindness and love.

Does it still break my heart? Absolutely. I clearly see the destruction that awaits. But, unfortunately for us all, some people must learn lessons the hard way.

I think back to Hitler, a man Trump has said he admires. The German population at that time was about 99 percent Christian and only 1 percent Jewish. The Christians overwhelmingly supported Hitler. It allowed Hitler to gain great power and murder many, many innocent people. Do you believe the concentration camps were horrific? Do you believe such a thing can never happen again? It can. Really. It can.

Trump has vowed retaliation against those who spoke against him. He has said that Liz Cheney should be shot. That the “fake” media could be shot and he would be okay with that. The Bible clearly says that vengeance belongs to God. I doubt Trump knows or cares about what God says.

The American people made their choice yesterday. May God have mercy on us all.

September 10, 2024

                            A Country Divided

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. – Matthew 12:25

Jesus was casting out demons and, as always, His critics were nearby. They claimed that Jesus was working on the authority of Satan. Jesus’ response was to ask a question: why would Satan work against his own evil spirits by casting them out?

We must either follow Jesus or follow the world. And we must do so while the world taunts us with lies.

Abraham Lincoln recognized this truth when he said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Lincoln was speaking about slavery. He opposed slavery. Lincoln expected that the nation would become either all slavery or all not. The year was 1858. Fortunately, Lincoln won that election.

So here we are again, a nation divided. In Sunday school class I wrote two lists on the board and asked class members what the lists had in common. The lists included men and women, Christian and Muslim, Democrat and Republican. heterosexual and homosexual, wealthy and poor, highly educated and uneducated. I could go on and on but you get the point.

What’s the common denominator? Jesus loves every single person on that list just as much as He loves you and I. He died for every one of us. We are ALL created in the image of God. Male and female. Black and white. Hispanic. Asian. And on and on.

Right now we have people who truly believe they are better, and smarter, than others. It reminds me of Nazi Germany. Is that harsh? The truth often is. When Christians blindly follow and excuse evil in their midst, horror results. Nazi Germany was filled with Protestants and Catholics and a few other religions. Some supported Hitler. Others remained silent. A few dared to speak out.

The United States is divided. Some support a would-be dictator. Others fear a female leader. Some reach for change and unity. Which way will we go?

My mind remembers the horror of January 6th when rioters – supported by Donald Trump – stormed the United States Capitol and attempted to take control of the government and prevent the certification of election results. The possibility of a recurrence of that day frightens me. I hope it frightens you.

I love our country and our democracy. But, as Jesus said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. How will you vote? Will you vote?

Jesus was assaulted with lies and fear-mongering. He was wise enough to see it and respond accordingly, casting aside the lies and speaking truth. How about you? Are you wise enough to see the lies and cast them aside?

November 7, 2018

Love Like Jesus

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. – 1 John 4:20

As I write this, the election polls are still open. I have no idea who will win any of the many offices up for grabs. But I do know one thing: The hatred and finger pointing has already commenced.

In every race, someone is going to be disappointed and someone is going to be happy. It’s part of the political process. One winner. That’s all.

We’re privileged to have the opportunity to vote. We live in a free country. Many have died to give us this right to express our opinion. I vote. Always. I believe strongly in what my Mother used to say: If you don’t vote, don’t complain. You’re part of the problem.

What I can’t understand, though, is why we can’t seem to talk with one another anymore. We point fingers. We argue. We call each other names. But we don’t talk. It’s like we’ve forgotten how to have a civil conversation.

The great statesmen in Congress seem to have died or retired. Every politician, no matter the political party, appears to be out for number one with little to no regard for what’s best for our nation. They’re so busy trying to get reelected, to get their name in the news, to put more money in their pockets, that they forget Congress was supposed to be about serving the people.

We the people have certainly fueled that. We are blasted daily by shows that argue opinions and call them facts. We are faced daily with inaccurate “news” that we don’t bother to verify before sharing and blasting it everywhere.

And we point fingers. We call people names when they don’t agree with us. We don’t want to share life with those who disagree with our political views. We’re just so arrogant in our opinions that we’ve forgotten how to listen.

Why in the world would you hate someone who disagrees with your political opinion? Do you hate someone who doesn’t look like you? Do you hate someone who is of a different faith? Sadly, for many the answer is yes.

It doesn’t have to be that way. I have friends who disagree vehemently with my beliefs. I feel the same about theirs. We discuss issues. We’ve learned to share information and listen without taking it personally. We’ve learned to value our friendship enough to be civil in our disagreements.

I think what bothers me the most about the hateful comments I hear – from both sides – is that so many of those comments are coming from people who claim to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. How can you hate those created in God’s image? How can you claim to truly know Jesus when your heart is filled with such ugliness?

God is love. That’s what John tells us in 1 John 4:8. So if He lives inside of us, how can we hate? How can we let political disagreements turn into something so ugly.

I don’t know how you voted yesterday or even if you voted. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make either of us better than the other, or wiser, or anything else. We are all God’s children. We are all created in His image.

So act like it. Instead of hatred, show grace. Instead of evil, show mercy. Instead of arrogance, show humility. Instead of ugliness, show kindness. Stop hating people because they disagree with you. Instead, love them like Jesus would do.

June 5, 2018

Watch Your Words

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:13-15

Today is election day. Did you go vote? Good for you! We are privileged to be able to participate in free elections.

There may or may not be runoffs to come. I hope not because, honestly, I’m tired of the ugliness. What about you? I’m not sure how people who boldly proclaim their Christian faith can turn around and endorse ads filled with hateful words directed at their opponents.

I know. Those in the know try to explain that it’s the only way to get elected. I’m not so sure about that. I can’t be the only person who would like to see candidates focus on the issues and stop the mudslinging. That would be honorable. That would be truthful. That would be what the Bible tells us to do.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

Our country can’t focus on its problems because we’re so busy putting others down. We can’t get along with each other because we’re too busy name-calling and finger pointing when people don’t agree with us.

Even now, I know there will be lots of grumbling in the days to come. Why? Because in an election someone wins and someone else loses. That means someone is unhappy, just like their supporters.

But you know what? The earth still turns and God is still on the throne. And we still need to learn how to get along with each other. We wonder why people are turning away from Jesus and, yet, we’re too busy speculating to look in the mirror and really see ourselves.

Do people see Jesus in you? Does your behavior, your words, your choices, reflect who He is? Because that’s what will either draw people toward Jesus or push them away. It’s not about what someone else is doing or not doing. It’s about what you are doing or not doing. Think about that for a minute.

I am responsible for my own choices, my own actions, my own words. And you are responsible for yours. Do you build people up? Do you lend a helping hand? Or do you live a self-focused life full of grumbling and finger pointing.

Before you voice your opinions on this election, take a moment to consider your words. If your candidates won, offer praise to the opponents. If your candidates lost, congratulate the winners. But above all else, let your words reflect Jesus so that all can see who the winner really is.

June 4, 2018

Both Political Parties Are Wrong

Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud. – Psalm 123:3-4

It’s the day before Election Day. We have survived the ugly political ads, the nasty comments from friends, and the political signs that seem to multiply overnight.

You’re probably thinking it’s those nasty Democrats causing all the trouble. It’s fun to bash them and blame all our troubles elsewhere. But the truth isn’t so pretty. This is a primary election and those nasty words are coming from Republicans who also loudly proclaim their Christian faith and conservative values.

The truth is that neither party gets it all right or all wrong when it comes to Biblical teachings. Someone who is a Republican isn’t necessarily a “good” Christian. Attending church every Sunday doesn’t make someone a person of faith. And loudly proclaiming your religion doesn’t mean that behind closed doors you actually live it.

Two candidates running for office are a good example. One proclaims his faith. I just found out we attend the same church. I’ve never, ever seen him or any member of his family at any service or event. Maybe I missed him. Or maybe not. His opponent keeps his comments on the issues and says nothing about faith. I know his family. I know he is a man who slips into church without announcing his presence. I know his faith goes deep and it shows in his integrity. Who is the “better” Christian?

Some candidates who proclaim their faith loudly bash immigrants – both legal and illegal. They condemn the poor as lazy and blame the media for every exposed lie. We need to put God back in schools and government. That’ll fix everything. Just ask them.

But don’t ask them what the Bible says about welcoming immigrants because our ancestors were once foreigners in a foreign land. Don’t question them about Jesus’ comments on taking care of the poor, about guiding one another, about teaching our children right from wrong. Yes. Everyone should obey the law. And, yes, everyone who is able should work. But the issue goes much deeper. Who among us has bothered to research it? Who among us even attempts to show compassion and mercy to those who are in need? Who among us dares to be Jesus when doing so contradicts our political tag?

Others think it’s okay to kill unborn children. They consider that everyone has rights but not those in the womb. They remember that not too many years ago Christians used the Bible to “justify” racial discrimination. Some of them still do. They believe that putting God in “His place” will put everyone on a level field with equal opportunities. They try to deny our identity in a vain attempt to justify multiplying wrong.

Politics is about power, money and self. Does anyone run for political office to try and truly bring change? Sometimes. But it doesn’t last long. Compromise and working together are what bring change. Unfortunately, compromise doesn’t win elections.

How do we change this political climate? I don’t have a clue. I pray and vote for individuals. It’s not about a particular political party. It’s about God. It’s about honoring Him. Until we get that right, nothing else will ever change.

May 25, 2018

Show Me Your Values

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

– 1 Timothy 4:1-2

It’s election time in my conservative state. Let’s get out the vote! And let’s be sure to vote for a Christian with conservative values who will defend our rights. That’s what they all say.

I know little about any of the candidates besides what appears publicly through their advertisements and the media. I guess I’ve become a bit of a cynic. Don’t tell me how deep your faith is. Show me. In this season of my life, I’ve learned that those who preach the loudest usually are the ones most apt to take advantage of someone. I know it’s a generalization but it’s just something I’ve witnessed again and again.

When a candidate tells me he’s qualified for office because he’s a conservative Christian, I don’t shout “hallelujah!” and race to the polls. I don’t believe Jesus was a conservative or a liberal. I doubt He would side with the Republicans or the Democrats. I think Jesus would tell us that sometimes both sides get it right and sometimes both sides get it wrong.

What I see are a bunch of power-hungry individuals who are out for their own good and the good of their bank accounts. Some may actually believe they can be the change. But backroom deals are truth. To get anything done, you’ve got to work together. You can’t do that when you think you’re always right.

One conservative Christian loudly proclaims his faith and his Republican status. He also believes – truly – that blacks won’t be in heaven. He wears his racism as proudly as he does his “faith.”

Another Christian conservative demands that everyone get a job, keep their word, and do for others. I want to say, “You first,” but I don’t. I tell myself not to judge but it’s difficult to hold my tongue in the face of such blatant hypocrisy.

Then we’ve got the other side. We’ve always got the other side. The liberal Democrats who think everyone should be guaranteed a wage and who don’t fully comprehend that every good thing requires a payment.

We’ve got Democrats who blame everyone but the perpetrator and demand change before we actually enforce the laws already on the books. Where is accountability?

The truth is our country is in crisis because two different sides can’t come together and work toward a reasonable solution to the problems we face. We’re too busy being “right” to actually understand that sometimes we’re wrong.

Some of the strongest people of faith I know, people who actually live as Jesus would to the best of their ability, are liberal Democrats. And some of the biggest hypocrites I know, self-serving people who say one thing publicly while living something else privately, are conservative Republicans. The opposite is true as well.

We’re all just people when it comes down to it. We all need a large dose of Jesus and a whole lot less of ourselves. Don’t tell me who you are, show me. I don’t need a lecture on values. I need to see what your values really are by how you live your life.

January 14, 2018

Jesus Christ Sits on the Throne

Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:11-12

Last month a Democrat defeated a Republican to become Alabama’s next U.S. Senator. Facebook was filled with conservative Christians who truly believed the world was about to end. The hate and disgust coming from their tongues was appalling.

The Republican party can’t save us. Nor can the Democratic Party. Donald Trump is not on the throne, Jesus Christ is. Why then do so many Christians place their faith and their hope in men, and women, who are just as flawed as the rest of us?

More importantly, perhaps, what does that say about their faith? About the faith of all of us? Do we believe that God can and will only work through one political party or one president? Do we limit His ability to work by our own narrow views of what is right and what is wrong?

Unfortunately, I live in a state where people only consider the political party when deciding how to cast their ballots. They don’t look at the person. They don’t consider the issues. They don’t check their “facts” before sharing them for all the world to see. And, yet, they see those of us who vote differently as lesser Christians.

Our pastor said recently that we are all hypocrites. He’s right. We all hold others to higher standards than we hold ourselves. We look in the mirror and see justified. We look at others and see condemned. Much like the Pharisees, I might add. How very sad.

They are not bad people. They simply can’t see beyond themselves. They don’t see a big God who can do all things. They don’t consider that they might be wrong at times. They don’t comprehend that a label doesn’t make a man any more than it breaks him. We are all sinners and we are all placed here to serve a glorious God.

How do we do that? By worshipping at the throne of a particular political party? By determining that salvation comes from a certain man, agenda or vote? What message are we sending to nonbelievers when we lament the end of God in the USA because one man, or one political party, was defeated by the other?

I trust that God works all things for our good and His glory. I believe that God is powerful enough to accomplish anything through anyone at any time. My allegiance is to Jesus Christ. My salvation comes through Him. It is not of this world. I am not of this world, merely a traveler on my way home.

I don’t know what the future holds. None of us do. I will pray for our elected officials to be filled with God’s wisdom and discernment. I will ask that He guide them in all they do so that His will, not my own, is done. Whether your candidate wins or loses, Jesus Christ remains on the throne. He alone is our Savior. Remember that.

May 3, 2016

God Controls It All

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

-- Habakkuk 2:3

They are repaving the highway where we live. Traffic is a mess. I know that eventually it will be worth all this aggravation but the time between now and then sure is frustrating.

Life can be like that. The journey is sometimes messy and hard but we know that one day it will be worth it all. One day we will be in heaven with Jesus and we won’t care about all of today’s drama.

This presidential race has really gotten ugly. Oh, politicians always throw out accusations and point fingers. But this year it just seems so much worse.

The news broadcasts show protests and it scares me. Certainly, we have the right to peaceful protests. Our country is founded on freedoms such as that. But when emotions run high, things have a way of getting out of control quickly.

It seems like our country, our world, is falling apart. History tells us this isn’t the first time. Maybe we feel it more deeply because we see it so clearly on the news and on social media. There’s no hiding anymore.

Maybe I have no patience for the drama on the political stage because of the drama in my own life. Maybe the fear line blurs. I have no control over my life just as it we have no control over what will happen on the national stage.

Yes, I vote. I always vote. But ultimately it is anybody’s guess as to who will win and who will lose. And who knows about the political bloodbath that will take place in the coming months. I dread it all.

Then I remember this verse from Habakkuk. God’s promises reign. No matter who wins the election, God is in control. No matter what anyone else does, God has already won the battle.

I will probably always get impatient with this time between where I am and where I know I’m going. My heart longs to be home with Jesus. My mind knows my time is in His hands.

So I will go forth as best I can in this troubled world, seeking to be His light no matter what happens around me. And, for today, that is enough.

March 6, 2016

Don’t Buy The Lies

Save me, Lord,
from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.

-- Psalm 120:2

The comment was so sad. In the aftermath of last week’s primary election, where Clinton and Trump won big, the woman wanted to know how we had gotten to the place where our only choice for president was a liar.

I was amazed that she still believed there was such a thing as an honest politician. I was also amazed that she didn’t recognize that we are all liars in one way or another. That includes her, you and me.

I’ve written about that before. We don’t view ourselves as liars. Telling someone an outfit looks good when it really doesn’t, makes us a liar. Enough said.

I once was involved in the political process. I was young and amazed that backroom deals really happen. They are a necessary part of the political process. One of the problems in Washington now is that the master politicians of old are all gone, replaced by angry and selfish politicos who care more about their own agendas than our nation. They don’t know how to compromise anymore. We don’t know how to compromise anymore.

But we know how to lie. We know how to take credit when the credit isn’t ours. We know how to weave a fancy story that has no place in reality. One of the candidates has been doing that, then brushing off any attempts by others to ask necessary questions such as “How will you pay for that?” Funny thing as I write that I realize it could apply to more than one candidate and in both parties.

Why do politicians deal in fantasy? Because it’s what we want to hear. We want to believe there’s a quick fix. We won’t to believe we can have it all without having to pay for any of it. We want to believe that if the illegal immigrants and the poor go away, it will benefit us financially.

You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue

-- Psalm 52:4

Politicians lie to us because we like what they’re saying. We want to believe it. We do. We want a wonderful god-fearing country without any of the work or sacrifices. We tell ourselves we work hard. We deserve good things. And we do. But others do as well.

Do you want our country to follow God again? Start with you. Start with me. Recognize your own imperfections and then hold yourself and our government leaders, those politicians that run for office, accountable. Seek truth and don’t be deceived by the lies.

February 20, 2016

Faith Always A Part of Election

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ -- Matthew 7:21-23

Just when we’re all already tired of the presidential race, the Pope and Donald Trump are fighting. Really? Well, I suppose it’s just part of it these days.

One friend couldn’t believe that the Pope would insert himself into a political race for a secular office. No offense, but religion has been part of the campaign for that office for a very, very long time. As it should be, I might add.

President Obama has been condemned for years about his lack of Christian faith. Honestly, none of us know his heart. Only God knows a person’s heart. It’s all speculation. He’s accountable to God, just like the rest of us. We should be more concerned about our own faith, but that’s another topic for another day.

The Pope didn’t insert religion into the presidential race. Politicians routinely tell us about their Christian values. And they routinely do things that are contrary to the values they claim. We all do. It doesn’t excuse any of us.

Trump has publicly called himself a Christian. So when he takes a political stance that the Pope believes is in direct conflict with being a Christian, well, fireworks start. Trump doesn’t like it. I understand that. But as someone in a very nasty race for president, he should expect it.

But what about the rest of us. Do our Christian values really reflect in how we vote and what and who we support? No. They don’t. We vote based on what’s good for us. We support laws and policies that benefit us. And we condemn anything else.

We don’t do handouts. We don’t want people who came illegally. We have no compassion for the poor. We throw our elderly aside. And we can be cold and heartless as we seek to better ourselves at the cost of others.

Should the Pope have spoken up? That’s something that will be debated for a while. On the other hand, maybe it’s past time we started opening our eyes to what we say and what we do. Do we really want a Christian in the White House? Or do we just want someone who will make us wealthier that we already are?

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Pray For God’s Will In Election

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, …”

-- 1 Timothy 2:1-3

This election season just seems to drag on. I will be so glad when it is done, though I do wonder if it will be done quickly and finally. It all just seems so bitter.

Some of the comments from my Christian friends seem so hateful. They are praying for a specific candidate, certain that he is the one. Yet I’ve not heard them asking God for His opinion. I don’t hear them asking that God’s will be done and not their own.

We are to pray for all of our leaders, whether we agree with them or not. The Bible doesn’t tell us to only pray for the leaders we agree with or voted for. If anything, sometimes I feel we should pray even more diligently for those leaders with whom we disagree.

We also must remember that it is impossible to know the heart and soul of someone we’ve never met. Some have determined that one candidate is more “Christian” than the other. Others believe that one candidate belongs to a cult. Still others say one candidate professes one faith but hold another one in his heart.

The only one who knows is God. He alone knows all of our hearts. We can debate it to death -- and many have -- but we still won’t know. These men are people we likely will never even meet. How could we possibly know their hearts? And why do we claim that we somehow do?

We want to believe that we know best but we don’t. We have no way of knowing what the future holds. We can only turn it over to the One who does know what is best, who is best, for this job that is so difficult and fraught with political landmines.

The job of President of the United States carries a great deal of power and prestige. It also comes with a burden that ages the men who wear that mantle. Look at their graying hair. Every one. Look at the wrinkles. Every one. The burdens are great.

The political drama that is Washington really drags the purpose and practical achievements of anyone down. It is an elite club focused more on self that the average person. Truth that hurts. Truth we’d prefer to deny.

I don’t know who the American people will elect as president. But I know that I’ll be praying for them both in the weeks to come. I’ll be asking God to choose the best person. And I’ll be committed to praying and supporting whomever gets the nod because it’s what God has called us

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Listen To What God Really Says

Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, “O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” -- 2 Chronicles 14:11

We celebrate our country’s birthday today amid a sometimes bitter debate over philosophy and direction. Many proclaim God’s name as they argue their views, pointing fingers and spreading mistruths.

What is truth: God wants us to call on Him to lead and guide us. He wants us to live our lives according to what He actually says rather than what we wish He had said.

What? Well, that certainly didn’t go over well with some of those ultra-conservatives who claim the Republican platform is the only one that promotes Jesus. Because it isn’t. And, in some ways, it is the opposite of what the Bible actually says.

For example, we’re all in a tizzy about immigration laws. Some (conservative Republican Christians) want to fence our borders and deport everyone who can’t prove they’re here legally. The opposite side prefers to look the other way. Neither view is totally right or wrong on this complex issue. But what we know, what is clearly written in the Bible, is that we are to do good and show kindness and mercy to those foreigners in the land God has given us. Fear, hatred, mistreatment, ugly comments -- well, those things have no place in God’s world.

Health care reform is another big issue. The Bible tells us to share and care for those who have less than we do. How can anyone believe that Jesus wouldn’t support efforts to make health care available to everyone who needs it? Yet, they get so caught up in their own finances and their perceived unfairness of it all, that they can’t clearly see what God would have us do. I’m sure this plan isn’t perfect. No plan crafted by humans could or will be. But we are to share and care and provide for others.

That always brings us back to those who work and those who don’t, and those who have wonderful jobs with great benefits and those who have menial jobs with no benefits. The haves vs. the have nots. And it’s all the have nots fault. I had hoped that the last years of economic distress would show us that some people are unemployed through no fault of their own. Obviously, when it comes to politics it is always the struggling person’s fault.

Today is a day to celebrate our wonderful nation. The United States has so much more, does so much more, provides so much more, than most nations in this world. But we have pulled away from God and those leading that gap are the ones proclaiming His name the loudest.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Pray To See God’s Will, Not Your Own

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” -- Acts 4:12

Tell me about your religion. What first comes to mind? Do you hurry to describe the building where the church meets? Are you quick to point out the style of music? Do you talk about the types of people who attend? Or is the first word that rolls off your tongue the name Jesus?

I decided to check the dictionary definition of “religion” just to see how it was officially defined. Here’s what it said: 1. beliefs and worship: people's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life; 2. system: an institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine; 3. personal beliefs or values: a set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by.

Interesting. So if religion is our belief in God, in our own set of values, what is the most important thing? Or whom is the most important one? Jesus. Because without Jesus Christianity and our faith, our beliefs, our religion, doesn’t exist.

We humans are forever seeking something to fill us up. Those of us who are fortunate to know Jesus have come to understand that only He can fill that void inside of us. Others are lost until we share with them. Oh, they may sense that God exists but they really don’t understand the One True God until they know Jesus.

Jesus is God’s attempt to reach humanity, Pastor Rob West said recently. Jesus shows us God’s heart, God’s love and God’s grace. Jesus is the bridge between God and sinful humanity. His sacrifice reunites us with God.

It is that simple and that complex. Because we want to make it so much more complicated. We want to talk about buildings and style of worship and money and good deeds. We want to proclaim His vision to the world, whether we truly understand it ourselves or not.

Politics always manages to bring out the best and the worst in us. Okay. Usually it brings out the worst in us. We loudly proclaim our personal views and give God credit for them, regardless of whether those views fit with His character or not. We are concerned for our own pocketbooks first rather than caring for the poor, the sick, the elderly.

Our religion defines who we are as people. It dictates our values, our morals, our political choices. The challenge then becomes distinguishing between our personal beliefs and those that truly belong to God.

This political season take time to search the Bible for answers, not necessarily to support your already established views but to truly seek God’s Word and His Will. Then pray not for God to agree with your will but that He would align your political views to agree with His Will.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Where Is Our Concern For The Poor?

The only thing they suggested was that we continue to help the poor, and I have certainly been eager to do that. -- Galatians 2:10

The news headlines centered on one candidate’s income tax rate. The candidate is a wealthy man. His business tactics have come under attack. And now his tax rate. Nothing illegal, you understand. Just a number that seems to point out the differences between the haves and the have nots.

Our country -- and much of the world -- has certainly experienced some tough economic times these last few years. Things seem to be improving but the economy is still a long way from recovering. Many of us have felt it, including quite a few who never, ever expected to feel the sting of unemployment.

Does that make us view candidates and their messages a little differently? Do we still cling to that notion that one party is more a “Christian” political party that the other? Because it isn’t true. It never has been. But in the political world perception is really all that matters.

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Galatians. During this time period, there was a huge disagreement over exactly what the newly-converted Gentiles must do to be saved. Some Jews who were believers in Jesus insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Jewish laws. Others, including Paul, insisted that Jesus died so that all who believed would be saved. It was by grace, not by laws or rules.

Paul took his petition to James, Peter and John, who Paul refers to as the pillars of the church. This James was the brother of Jesus and not the disciple who had already been put to death for his beliefs.

A compromise was reached and everyone was happy. The only thing these leaders of the church requested was that Paul, and the others taking the message to the Gentles, remember the poor. They agreed. It was important to Paul as well.

How important are the poor to the Christians in our country today? We hear about abortion and homosexuality and monuments that proclaim the Ten Commandments. But we don’t really hear a lot about the poor -- at least not from the Christians.

Some Christians that I know are quick to tell anyone who is unemployed to get a job. Or, for those who are working at minimum wage, to get a better job. As if it were as easy as filling out an application and starting on Monday. These Christians are quick to tell others what to do and how they should do it.

Where is their compassion? Where is their willingness to help? Where is their heart, because it certainly isn’t reflecting Jesus’ love and care out to a hurting world?

I have no idea who will be the best candidate in the coming election. But I do know that we need to concern ourselves with more than a few “button” issues. We need to think of the poor. We should consider the unemployed. And we should be concerned about the growing disparity between the haves and the have nots.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Listen To What God Really Says

"'He (King Josiah) defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?' declares the LORD." -- Jeremiah 22:16

We loudly proclaim ourselves to be Christians yet we are hard-hearted when it comes to the poor and needy. We don't want to share and we don't want to accept responsibility for anyone else. We turn a blind eye and call ourselves justified.

I am forever amazed as those who do this and then hold up their Bible as though it offers proof that they are right. It doesn't. Indeed, it condemns them again and again. Funny how that works. Just as we always find help and hope in God's Word, it seems we can also find excuses to justify our bad behavior. Don't they feel ashamed to use the Bible in such a bad way?

People always seem to blame the poor for their status in life. Sure. Sometimes they've made bad decisions that have led them to where they are at. Not always. It's truly difficult to learn and advance when you're growing up with no one to help you. Impossible? No. But the odds are really stacked against you. Many years ago I helped tutor first graders who were struggling to read. One little girl was having an especially difficult time. The teacher explained that it wasn't that the little girl's parents didn't care. It's just that they didn't read well enough to help her.

It's also difficult to blame someone when their job is eliminated. Plants close. Companies downsize. Layoffs are part of reality in a down economy. But we blame the unemployed -- especially when they don't immediately get another job. We demand they take any job and not be so proud. Then we criticize and condemn them for taking a job without health benefits or a liveable wage.

Nobody wants to pay for health benefits. Nobody wants to pay workers a liveable wage. But we all want to receive both. It can't be both ways, so we blame those who are caught in the middle. We point our judgmental fingers at the working poor in a vain attempt to justify ourselves.

God repeatedly tells those who have to help and give to those who don't. In this Bible passage, God is condemning a king for not following in his father's footsteps. God praises King Josiah for defending the poor and needy. Yet we condemn leaders who do the same, demanding that they take care of the haves.

Everyone is talking about the election. Christians are supposed to vote one way. Yet that way condemns the poor. Is that what God wants? I think we need to get past political parties and our own pocketbooks and select people who actually listen to God. He knows what to do. We just need to stop pulling our views from His Word and hear what He has to say.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Listen to God

"A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?"

-- Jeremiah 5:30-31

We sure see this in our world today. Pastors preach what the Bible doesn't say. Politicians claim a Christian faith they do not live. Conservatives hold their Bibles high as they trounce on the poor and disadvantaged to further the coffers of the wealthy and well-connected.

Where is God in all this? Where are the actions that reflect the heart of Jesus? Why do we applaud those who refuse to help the poor among us? Is it because we, too, want to hold our money and possessions close to our hearts, giving only as we choose and ignoring God's call to help the least among us?

We're facing a tough election in less than two weeks. There's been mud-slinging, slanted ads and lies from all sides. Yet some are determined to vote strictly along a party line, refusing to research and choose the individual people best suited to represent Christian interests. Jesus didn't belong to a particular political party. He looked at a person's heart. So must we.

We also should look at all the issues, not just one or two. For some people abortion is the only issue. Certainly, it's important. But so is feeding and clothing and educating the children we already have in this world. And please don't tell me that it's the parents' responsibility. I know it is. But it is also my responsibility and yours. What if Jesus had said my sins or yours were not His responsibility and we could just pay the price on our own? Christianity is all about following Jesus and caring for others.

We also must consider the elderly. Some are skipping along just fine. Others must choose each month whether to purchase medicine, pay the electric bill or buy food. Some of the elderly are neglected and alone. What are we doing to care for them? Or do we live as though we believe that out of sight means out of mind?

In our area, gambling has been a huge issue. I wish people focused that much money and energy into taking care of the homeless or the working poor. And what about health care? No one wants to pay for it yet surely Jesus would expect us to see that the working poor had access to a doctor and medicine.

It's so easy to focus on the political party and one or two issues. It's easier still to listen to a pastor tell us how to vote. What a cop out! Study the issues and pray, pray, pray. Then vote the way God leads you to vote. Stop worrying about your pocketbook or your friends' opinions or the party line. Just listen to God, do what He says and everything will be okay.