My heart was broken this week as I learned of an entire group of people who have united together solely out of their opposition to and animosity for another group of people. The part that broke my heart...they’re supposed to be Christians. They all sit together as a group in a church and even have a name for themselves and a Facebook page. It's a solidarity of animosity and anger, united by their mutual ill will. It breaks my heart. Can you imagine how it breaks Jesus’ heart?
Words from Him come to mind. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another” (John 15:12, 17). We are to love other believers the way Jesus loves us! We are not to only love those that we agree with, who treat us the way we think we should be treated, or seem to be loving to us, we are to love other believers the way Jesus loves us...no matter what! Jesus loved us when we were still in the middle of rebellion against him (Romans 5:8). If Jesus expects us to love our enemies, how much more are we to love our brothers and sisters!
While praying for us shortly before his death, Jesus said to the Father, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20–21). Then I think of those who call themselves followers of Jesus who actively do all they can to create division, express animosity, and in essence, do everything possible to prevent Jesus’ prayer from being fulfilled. That’s pretty serious, isn’t it?
Maybe that’s why John wrote, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:9-11).
So how are your relationships with other Christians...ALL other Christians? I realize that we cannot control how others treat us or feel about us. But we have a choice to make when it comes to our relationships with all others in God’s family. Are we walking in the light? Do we have the love of God in us? Do we challenge one another to practice that kind of love? Jesus made it pretty clear, if we belong to him, we have an obligation to love our family, his family, no matter what. Any animosity or unresolved anger, resentment, or division is an indication of a much deeper and more serious spiritual problem.
“He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 4:21 NLT
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
One More Blog on the Sanford Case
I know you are tired of the George Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin case, and you’ve read your fill of blog opinions. I have too. But how about a different view from a Christian perspective.
I’m not writing this to convince anyone of Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence, or whether or not Trayvon Martin was the aggressor or innocent victim. I didn’t watch the trial so I don’t have an opinion on the outcome, or even a right to that kind of judgement...I didn’t hear all the arguments or weigh all the evidence. I also think that neither do those who have strong opinions on both sides, unless they heard everything that the jury heard. I also was not on the scene of the crime, or fight, or whatever it was, and neither were you. None of us know exactly what happened for certain, and none of us know what was in the mind of either Zimmerman or Trayvon when this horrible tragedy took place.
Let’s first remember that this is not an isolated incident. It is interesting how periodically, an event hits the news fan as though it is entirely unique, and then it gets talked about every day, hour upon hour, on every news and talk show, in every newspaper, magazine, and blog opinion, convincing us that what is being discussed is an unparalleled set of circumstances. Any time a person’s life is taken, it is a horrible, horrible tragedy. And the sad truth is, every day innocent people are murdered. Every day, someone claims self-defense as a reason for shooting another person. Whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. are violent within their demographic and with those of other races. Sometimes it's solely about race and sometimes it's not. It’s a horrible thing, but these terrible tragedies happen all the time.
Because we are a race of sinners. That’s why Jesus gave his life for us.
And I don’t mean to oversimplify something that is both complicated and tragic. I’m not in the position to find a solution to every complex human controversy, and it would be arrogant for me to think I am, and foolish for me to try. But that’s what a lot of people, maybe you included, are trying to do with the shooting and court case in Florida. Everyone has an opinion, and most are strong. But no one really knows what happened. Their rush to judgement either way is an expression of arrogance and foolishness.
Instead, wouldn’t it be a lot more productive for all of us to focus on the things we do know about, and the circumstances we do have control over? We all see and hear racism right here in our immediate circles. Shouldn’t we be battling it here, when we hear our friends, coworkers and family members spewing hatred and judgmentalism? Your opinion will do nothing for what happened in Florida, but it may with your coworker who makes those derogatory comments. Your judgement on Zimmerman’s or Trayvon’s state of mind is probably both inaccurate as well as ineffective to accomplish any good. But challenging talk of violence, bigotry or dogmatism in your sphere of influence may. If every Christian who is up-in-arms on either side of this Florida issue would simply be Jesus (both in kindness and loving confrontation) to the people around them, most of the racial division we see illustrated in this controversy would be defused. We Christians have a lot of power to make those kinds of changes just by being genuine Christians in all situations within our circles of influence.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus, follow him here and now. Love others no matter what, and challenge them to make their way back to God.
I’m not writing this to convince anyone of Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence, or whether or not Trayvon Martin was the aggressor or innocent victim. I didn’t watch the trial so I don’t have an opinion on the outcome, or even a right to that kind of judgement...I didn’t hear all the arguments or weigh all the evidence. I also think that neither do those who have strong opinions on both sides, unless they heard everything that the jury heard. I also was not on the scene of the crime, or fight, or whatever it was, and neither were you. None of us know exactly what happened for certain, and none of us know what was in the mind of either Zimmerman or Trayvon when this horrible tragedy took place.
Let’s first remember that this is not an isolated incident. It is interesting how periodically, an event hits the news fan as though it is entirely unique, and then it gets talked about every day, hour upon hour, on every news and talk show, in every newspaper, magazine, and blog opinion, convincing us that what is being discussed is an unparalleled set of circumstances. Any time a person’s life is taken, it is a horrible, horrible tragedy. And the sad truth is, every day innocent people are murdered. Every day, someone claims self-defense as a reason for shooting another person. Whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, etc. are violent within their demographic and with those of other races. Sometimes it's solely about race and sometimes it's not. It’s a horrible thing, but these terrible tragedies happen all the time.
Because we are a race of sinners. That’s why Jesus gave his life for us.
And I don’t mean to oversimplify something that is both complicated and tragic. I’m not in the position to find a solution to every complex human controversy, and it would be arrogant for me to think I am, and foolish for me to try. But that’s what a lot of people, maybe you included, are trying to do with the shooting and court case in Florida. Everyone has an opinion, and most are strong. But no one really knows what happened. Their rush to judgement either way is an expression of arrogance and foolishness.
Instead, wouldn’t it be a lot more productive for all of us to focus on the things we do know about, and the circumstances we do have control over? We all see and hear racism right here in our immediate circles. Shouldn’t we be battling it here, when we hear our friends, coworkers and family members spewing hatred and judgmentalism? Your opinion will do nothing for what happened in Florida, but it may with your coworker who makes those derogatory comments. Your judgement on Zimmerman’s or Trayvon’s state of mind is probably both inaccurate as well as ineffective to accomplish any good. But challenging talk of violence, bigotry or dogmatism in your sphere of influence may. If every Christian who is up-in-arms on either side of this Florida issue would simply be Jesus (both in kindness and loving confrontation) to the people around them, most of the racial division we see illustrated in this controversy would be defused. We Christians have a lot of power to make those kinds of changes just by being genuine Christians in all situations within our circles of influence.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus, follow him here and now. Love others no matter what, and challenge them to make their way back to God.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Happy Anniversary
Twenty-nine years is a long time for anything. It’s a long time
to hold the same job. It’s a long time to live in the same house. It’s a
really long time to be married to the same person.
I can’t believe that Linda has been able to stay married to me for twenty-nine years. But I’m really glad she has!
Neither of us remember a lot about our wedding. The ceremony and celebration wasn’t that
big of a deal to us. I think that
couples today make way too much out the wedding day than what is
healthy. For us, we were focused on the marriage, not so much the
wedding. And that’s not just me talking, that was Linda’s approach.
I think a lot of young couples are more in love with the idea of being in love, than they are focused on what it means to selflessly love another person, and unite with that person as a life’s partner. I get concerned when the excitement of a wedding has to do with the ceremony, celebration, dresses, tuxes, meal, deejay and dance, than the marriage itself. And now with so many couples living together and having sex with multiple partners before that, the only things left that are special about weddings are those shallow and expensive trappings.
If you are young and not yet married, please listen to this little bit of advice on values: Make your preparations about your marriage, not so much about your wedding. I miss the days when the ceremony meant something and the reception was a simple and inexpensive send-off of good wishes for the couple.
We started off very simple. We had very little money, a tiny basement efficiency apartment, a little silver Chevette, and a lot of crock pots we received for wedding gifts. I was still in seminary and kept working a couple of jobs.
Looking back, we didn’t know each other very well. We had virtually no premarriage counseling (a mistake on the part of our pastors). Both of us had unrealistic expectations of each other. We were so very different in personality and interests that e-harmony or match.com would never have put us together.
But the few things we had going for us overwhelmed the strikes against us. We were absolutely committed to spending our lives learning to love each other. We had shared moral and spiritual values. And both of us had a desire to please God in our marriage more than each other.
And now, twenty-nine years later, I’d rather spend the day alone with Linda than anyone else on the planet. We do love each other and always have. But maybe more important than that, when it comes to longevity in a relationship, we’ve grown to LIKE each other!
So happy anniversary today, my dear Lindsey!
I can’t believe that Linda has been able to stay married to me for twenty-nine years. But I’m really glad she has!
Neither of us remember a lot about our wedding. The ceremony and celebration wasn’t that
I think a lot of young couples are more in love with the idea of being in love, than they are focused on what it means to selflessly love another person, and unite with that person as a life’s partner. I get concerned when the excitement of a wedding has to do with the ceremony, celebration, dresses, tuxes, meal, deejay and dance, than the marriage itself. And now with so many couples living together and having sex with multiple partners before that, the only things left that are special about weddings are those shallow and expensive trappings.
If you are young and not yet married, please listen to this little bit of advice on values: Make your preparations about your marriage, not so much about your wedding. I miss the days when the ceremony meant something and the reception was a simple and inexpensive send-off of good wishes for the couple.
We started off very simple. We had very little money, a tiny basement efficiency apartment, a little silver Chevette, and a lot of crock pots we received for wedding gifts. I was still in seminary and kept working a couple of jobs.
Looking back, we didn’t know each other very well. We had virtually no premarriage counseling (a mistake on the part of our pastors). Both of us had unrealistic expectations of each other. We were so very different in personality and interests that e-harmony or match.com would never have put us together.
But the few things we had going for us overwhelmed the strikes against us. We were absolutely committed to spending our lives learning to love each other. We had shared moral and spiritual values. And both of us had a desire to please God in our marriage more than each other.
And now, twenty-nine years later, I’d rather spend the day alone with Linda than anyone else on the planet. We do love each other and always have. But maybe more important than that, when it comes to longevity in a relationship, we’ve grown to LIKE each other!
So happy anniversary today, my dear Lindsey!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
How Committed Are You?
Today is a celebration of commitment. A commitment that could never be described as halfhearted. For 237 years ago today, fifty-six men, all of whom had much to lose, committed themselves wholeheartedly to a cause that they believed in with every fiber of their being. The whole world has since benefited from their commitment to that cause.
The closing words of this Declaration of Independence are this:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
They meant that, and it cost them. Some died during the war, others lost sons. A number had their houses ransacked and even destroyed. Wealth and businesses were seized, family members were threatened, persecuted, and some captured and held prisoner. All-in-all, the signers of this document put their lives, livelihood, wealth and reputations on the line, for the sake of this cause, and they suffered dearly for it. Few died in a better place, personally, than they were before signing on to the Revolution. But every one of us, both in America and abroad, have been enriched in multiple ways because of their commitment.
I am first a citizen of heaven and a member of the Body of Christ. But I am also grateful for the blessing of living in a country that was merely an experiment in law and freedom when it was first established. This experiment would have never flown but for the commitment on the part of those fifty-six men that we celebrate every year on this day. Because of their commitment, we enjoy freedom.
What are you committed to? Nothing good comes without it. What matters so much to you that you are willing to make major sacrifice in your personal life in order to make it fly? You are committed to something. To what?
Then remember these opening words. A halfhearted commitment is not a commitment at all. How committed are you?
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