Rejoicing Over bin Laden's Death

    In the aftermath of Osama bin Laden’s death, I’ve been a bit surprised by the buzz among Christians all over Facebook and Twitter, and in private conversations, over whether or not it was appropriate for Americans, Christians specifically, to celebrate.
    The arguments against rejoicing go something like this–– “Osoma bin Laden may have been an enemy, but Jesus taught us to love our enemies. The death of any human being is a tragedy, and we should never rejoice over any man’s death.” A couple of Bible verses are sometimes cited, such as Proverbs 24:17 – “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.”  Ezekiel 33:11 is also quoted, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” A priest on one of the news stations the other night went so far as telling the commentator that Americans who were elated over bin Laden’s death were no better than the Muslim terrorist sympathizers who publicly rejoiced when the World Trace Center Towers fell on 9-11. Advocates of this view were quick to pass on the quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr., “I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.”
    Is that right? Is that what Jesus meant by, “Love your enemies”? Should Christians rejoice in the death of an enemy? (Incidentally, MLK never actually said the above quote. Somebody just thought they’d get more credibility with it if it was attributed it to him.)
    We have to always be careful that we do not misinterpret isolated Scriptures when making application to any subject. All Scripture is inspired, and it is a unified whole. One passage will not contradict another. When it comes to obscure passages or statements that can be interpreted in a couple of ways, we should use clear passages and the whole of Scripture to help us understand the meaning of those that are less clear or less obvious.
    With that in mind, did Jesus mean by loving our enemies that we should not celebrate a victory over a military enemy, who is actively seeking to take innocent lives, including our brothers and sisters? If so, he would have been contradicting multiple passages where God’s people both sought The Lord to bring justice upon their enemies (Revelation 6:10), or where God’s people rightly celebrated victory over them, including the deaths of those who were seeking to destroy them. 2 Chronicles 20:27 reads, "Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies."  Psalm 9 is especially applicable in that David used the entire Psalm to celebrate, thank, and praise God for victory over (including the deaths of) those who were seeking to destroy him. We also can’t ignore the many celebrations the Children of Israel made after major victories over their enemies, including the deaths of the entire Egyptian army after the crossing of the Red Sea, the inhabitants of Jericho after the miraculous collapse of its walls, and many other enemies during the Promised Land conquests and when attacked by enemies during the monarchy.
    So then, what did Jesus mean by, “Love your enemies”? To love is to practice acts of self-sacrificial good-will for the benefit of another, without expecting anything in return. It does not mean that we are not to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our countrymen, or principles of righteousness. As followers of God, we ought to be lovers of justice and protectors of those who are innocent. It is certainly appropriate that we celebrate when justice prevails, when evil is vanquished, and when innocent lives are protected. Knowing that bin Laden was actively seeking to kill more Jews and Americans, simply because they are Jewish or American, we ought to rejoice that those lives he would have taken, had he lived, are now saved. That, along with justice prevailing, is cause for rejoicing.
    God would have rather that bin Laden had repented. YES! I certainly would have as well. Sadly, that did not happen. But justice did.

Are You Up to the Challenge?

    “The difficult we will do immediately; the impossible may take us a while longer!”
    That’s the slogan of the Seabees, that group of over 300,000 courageous, hard-working men first called up during World War II who followed combat units into newly conquered territory. From the island hopping of World War II to the cold of Korea, to the jungles of Vietnam, to the mountains of Bosnia, and now to the desert of Afghanistan, the Seabees have built entire bases, bulldozed and paved thousands of miles of roadway and airstrips, built bridges and military bases and have accomplished a myriad of construction projects vital for military success. “The difficult we will do immediately; the impossible may take us a while longer!”
    What do you consider impossible? Slavery? Booker T. Washington was born into slavery. Deafness? Thomas Edison was virtually deaf. Poor home? Abraham Lincoln was born to illiterate parents. Physical handicaps? Lord Byron had a club foot. Robert Louis Stevenson had tuberculosis. Alexander Pope was a hunchback. Admiral Nelson had only one eye. Julius Caesar was an epileptic. Louis Pasteur, was so near-sighted that he had a difficult time finding his way around his laboratory. Helen Keller could not hear or see, but graduated with honors from Radcliffe. An expert said of famous football coach Vince Lombardi: “He possesses minimal football knowledge. Lacks motivation.” Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was advised by her family to find work as a servant or seamstress. The teacher of famous opera singer Enrico Caruso said Caruso had no voice at all and could not sing. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for lacking ideas. He also went bankrupt several times before he succeeded.
    I don’t know how many of them were believers but I do know that many of them accomplished what was thought to be impossible in their own human strength. If they could do it, shouldn’t the child of God be able to do the impossible in God’s strength. Our God loves the word “impossible.”
    Our goals tend to be too short sighted and our faith tends to be weak. God wants to do great things for us and through us if we are willing to connect with Him long enough to embrace His vision. He wants to do great things through you at work, home and church! Are you up to the challenge?
    To be used of God and to see Him work in a great way takes the risk of faith and the commitment of time, energy and recourses on our part. And it will all start when we catch His vision. He wants to use us. He wants to use you. Again, I ask, are you up to the challenge? Do you want to see the impossible?
    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you... plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Some Things You Can't Take Back

    My heart was broken as I read of the two fourteen-year-old girls who died together in a suicide pact last Saturday. Haylee Fentress and Paige Moravetz were found over the weekend, having hung themselves in one of the girl’s homes in Minnesota. Both girls had been struggling in school and saw themselves as outcasts. They were made fun of repeatedly by classmates. The one girl had recently moved from Indiana and was never accepted in her new school, other than by another bullied girl, with whom she died.
    Kids rarely have any idea the kind of torment they can inflict on others. They get caught in the moment of deflecting their own pain or getting attention by getting the better of an easy target. It’s part of our sin nature. But the things those kids said will now haunt them for the rest of their lives. With all of their mechanisms for dealing with guilt, they will not be able to escape the gnawing awareness that their cruel words and thoughtless actions were felt so deeply that those poor girls could not see beyond eighth grade to want to keep living. And now there is nothing these classmates will ever be able to do or say to make up for or retract their culpability.
    Whenever my kids have complained of being bullied or put down by others at school (and yes, it happens to most kids to some degree), I have reminded them that it is far better to be bullied than to be a bully. Most kids who pick on and put down others have parents who have no idea how their kids are treating others. Sometimes its the kids from dysfunctional families, but as often it is the kids from stable middle class two parent homes who bully.
    Parenting is more than providing for our kids’ necessities and making sure they get a good education or do well in extra-curricular activities. As a father, I would far rather have a child who struggles with his grades and is sub-par in athletic or music performance, but kind and sensitive to the needs of others, than the other way around.
    We all grow out of middle school eventually and with maturity comes a certain level of fortitude to handle put downs (at least to know its not the end of the world) and the social maturity to back off the bullying. But many never grow out of the grade-school mentality of measuring their worth against others and attempting to elevate themselves by putting others down, either in ridicule or behind their back. I am sometimes shocked at the freedom some adults feel in criticizing and running another person down when they are not present to defend themselves. They excuse it with comments like, “I just needed to get it off my chest,” or “I needed to bounce it off someone else to get their thoughts,” all at the expense of someone else’s reputation.
    Adults hurt each other with their words as well. The people who are hurt may not enter into a suicide pact, but it hurts nonetheless. And the perpetrators inflict harm that, like the case of the mean eighth graders in Island Lake, Minnesota, can do the kind of damage that cannot ever be retracted.
    This would be a good time to talk with your kids about how they reach out to others. And it might also be a good time to do a self-assessment. Do your words always benefit the listener and the person you are talking about?
    “It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin.” –Ecclesiastes 10:12

Is Everyone Going to Heaven?

    Even those who have little interest in the Bible, Christianity or religion in general, have heard the hype, reactions and turmoil surrounding Rob Bell’s latest book, in which he reveals his latest theological thoughts. Bell, always the cutting edge hipster pastor/theologian, has embraced an old form of 19th century liberalism: universalism. He splits hairs with definitions and thereby refuses to call his position, “universalism”, but most of us would be hard pressed to see any substantive difference between what he is now promoting and the theology that took down the mainline denominations a century ago.
    All of the discussion, however, is healthy. People are honestly asking, “Is there a real heaven and a real hell?” “Will people who reject Jesus be condemned forever?” Can we be assured of heaven in this life?” “What was the purpose of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection?” While Bell’s apparently new position (new for him, anyway) goes contrary to Jesus’ teaching, I’m really glad it has spurred necessary conversations. People are talking about heaven and hell and the state of humans in eternity. That’s definitely good, and it’s an opportunity for those of us who understand the Gospel to get it out there!
    It seems like every year at this time there is some big religious news to take advantage of people’s religious consciousness that is heightened because of the Lenten/Easter season. Remember how they supposedly found the family tomb of Jesus a couple of years ago? Ever wonder what happened to that story? Then there was the big deal over “The Gospel of Judas” that was supposed to turn Christianity on its ear. Before that was “The Da Vinci Code”, released as a book shortly before Easter, and as a movie the Easter following.
    Why does this keep happening? Because people really are thinking about matters of faith at this time of year, and marketing experts (Rob Bell included) know that and do their best to take advantage of it.
    As followers of Christ, we have a more pressing reason to elevate our voice and strengthen our witness. Despite Bell’s conclusion, not everyone is going to heaven (at least, not according to Jesus)! But they can if they embrace the Gospel. So let’s tell them….NOW! We’re not trying to sell a book or tickets to a movie. We’re trying to do so for so much more! We’re trying to rescue lives and deliver souls! This is the best time of the year to do it.
    So don’t run away from those conversations. Encourage them. Look for ways to bring Jesus into your everyday relationships. On Easter Sunday, more people will be interested in coming to church than on any other Sunday. So make invitations and make lots of them!
    According to Jesus, not everyone is going to heaven. But one of my life’s goals is to bring as many people along as possible. The gate may be narrow, but at the very least, we can show everyone we know where it is. Bring them to The Bridge this Easter, and I’ll help you out! :-)

Take This Job and Love It!

    In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” said Prior Richard, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king.”
    “I understand,” said Henry, “The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.”
    “Then I will tell you what to do,” said Prior Richard. “Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.”
    When King Henry died, a statement was written: “The King learned to rule by being obedient.”
    Any job, after time, can become distasteful. Maybe your job has become boring, or frustrating, or just plain unpleasant.
    It is interesting to me that some who have the most attractive jobs find a way to loathe going to work. Then there are those who are employed in the most obnoxious situations who exude cheerfulness about their employment. I have come to believe that whether or not one enjoys his job has more to do with his own attitude than any other factor. Your attitude toward your employer, your tasks, and your coworkers will probably determine how meaningful you find your work to be.
    I have a proposal. See your work as God’s work. Understand how all that we do is to be to God’s glory. The submissive spirit you display toward your boss is a reflection on your love and respect for God. Pouring yourself into your tasks and doing your work (whether it be counting beans, sweeping floors, or managing people) with excellence is a reflection of your commitment to glorifying God. Being gracious to difficult coworkers, forgiving offenses, and staying out of break room gossip communicates to those you work with whether or not you just claim to be a follower of Jesus, or really follow His example.
    I am sure someone reading this is currently contemplating switching jobs. I am not telling you not to. But first, see your work as your ministry. Look at your coworkers through the eyes of Christ. You’ll find that when you accept your employment as a blessing from God and an opportunity to represent Him daily to people who need Him, the work itself and the people at work become a passion.
    One way to love God is to love the ministry He has given you. That includes your job!
    “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Getting Scared or Getting Ready?

    Things are looking pretty scary. If you are even a casual student of the Bible, you are aware that in the end times, around the world and particularly in the mideast, events will unfold much like we are currently observing.
    If you know me at all, you know I am not an alarmist. And I’m pretty skeptical of those guys on TV and radio who make a living on convincing their audience that the world is on the brink of Armageddon. (Then the audience in turn sends them a bunch of money….for some reason.)
    But putting aside the abusive and manipulative tactics of those I would call alarmists, Jesus did tell us to pay attention to what is happening in our world. And the Bible does tell us that Israel will become an island, surrounded by enemy nations that will make war with her with the intent to destroy her and annihilate the population. And we are also told that the frequency and destructive nature of natural disasters will increase. Then when I consider Daniel’s prophecy that in the end times, knowledge will increase (that’s an understatement for today!) and world travel will be common, I can’t help but believe the end is near.
    I know, everyone in their time thought that. And I’m not going to set any dates or point fingers at possible candidates for the Anti-Christ. But the end IS near! Jesus told us to watch. Are you?
    In reality, He was more concerned that we watch our selves, more so than world events. But the world events were to remind us to watch ourselves. Jesus wants us to not be caught off guard. He wants us to be ready.
    Are you? Are you ready for His return?
    I don’t know when Jesus will return, or when Armageddon will take place, or the rapture, or any of these things. I know what the Bible says about the events of the end times, and I know about the signs. And a lot of those signs appear to be there now. But Jesus may delay his coming a hundred or a thousand years. For us, we need to be ready, today, tomorrow, next week and next year.
    One teacher decided to encourage her students to better organize their desks and to keep them neat. She invited the principal to be in on her plan, and announced to the class that he will come in once a week and inspect their desks. Everyone with a clean desk would be dismissed for recess five minutes early that day.
    One boy announced that he would clean his desk first thing every morning. The teacher asked, “What if he comes at the end of the day?” He said that he would clean it again before school let out. She responded, “What if he comes during lunch?”
    “I guess I’ll clean it up now and keep it clean all day, every day!”
    That was Jesus’ point when He said, “You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44).
    The end is near. Get ready!

A Neglected Aspect of Worship

    Stuart Briscoe shared the following account in his book, Playing by the Rules: "I visited a church in Florida, where the congregation had just built a new auditorium that cost $5 or $6 million. With great glee the people told me they had moved in debt free; they had paid for it in cash before they opened the doors. When I asked how they had done it, they told me, "Part of our membership requirement is that people tithe." Then they took me outside and showed me a three-or four-story, $11 million educational wing they had begun to build. Again they told me they’d paid cash for it. How did they do it? By tithing."
    The average church is handicapped because God’s people have forgotten Who’s money it really is. It’s like the story of one preacher who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets." Too many believers have God’s money in their pockets and not only are they being disobedient, they are missing out on the blessing of giving.
    Please don’t give with just with the goal of meeting our church’s budget, because budgets don’t really mean that much. Giving has a deeper purpose; it means you give to God, you don’t rob from Him. When you give to God, you honor Him. You say, "Hey, God, all my money is in trust from You anyway, and I give it back to You with a glad heart." Through our giving we show we’re on His side and that we have compassion for the things and people He has compassion for. We prove our love for Him by giving of ourselves.
    But what if we don’t give faithfully, what if we tip God rather than truly give? What if we keep what belongs to Him for ourselves? That may result from an attitude of first rate stinginess, or maybe it comes from second-rate sacrifice. Malachi warned his people, "Some of you are bringing your offerings to the Lord, and you’ve got to bring a lamb. So you go through the flock and find one that’s lame or blind, and you bring that. Do that to the governor, and see what he’d say! You wouldn’t dare do it to him, but you don’t mind doing it to God."
    Strange, isn’t it, that people feel very comfortable with first-rate stinginess and second-rate sacrifice when it comes to God? Why? Because they lack a reality of the knowledge of God in their lives.
    If you really believe that God purchased you from the slave market of sin. If you really know how much He loves you. If you believe that you are a steward of His property, rather than an owner – you’ll be the giver that God wants you to be.
    The reason that so many Christians are such poor givers is that they really don’t believe God’s Word. If they believed the Bible, It would change their behavior...and it would change their giving. God is generous and those who have His heart are generous too.
    What does your giving say about your heart? Is this an area that needs to be surrendered and that you need to grow in? Then, today’s your day. Don’t miss out on the blessings and rewards that God has for faithful stewards!