It's Christmas time. That festive time of year when people all the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! Or wait... is it really "Kwanzaa," the African-American celebration of heritage and culture? Or... is it "Hanukkah," and the Jewish Festival of Lights? Or, maybe it's a celebration of the "Winter Solstice," and the longest night of the year? Or, could it be this is a bad rerun of Seinfeld and we're all now celebrating "Festivus". Or, just possibly, it's none of the above and it's just a time for family, friends and loved ones to gather together and celebrate!
Down through the years the message of Christmas has been slowly, but surely, phased out and eliminated. I'm not going to get into how the Christmas celebration came about and all the history behind it, but its slide from its prominent place in the fabric of our life has created a clash of cultures that is waged each year at this time. We are to the place, now, where even the name Christmas is frowned upon. In some circles this battle is the centre of discussion and the cause of great angst and much hand wringing. I don't blame one bit people who are bemoaning the disintegration of society, the destruction of the family, the eroding of values, the elimination of morals and the decline of culture, and tradition. I abhor what I see going on around us. This once great society of ours has slipped into a moral cesspool of relativism and it seems as though we are going to drown in the muck of our own making. Taken in the larger context of what we see going on around us, it is easy for Christians to claim the de-emphasis of Christmas as just another example of political correctness and social progression strangling the last vestiges of tradition and values left in our society. So we're left asking, "What are we to do?" How should well meaning people who see the diminishing of Christmas and its place in our culture and society as just another example of pluralism respond? Or, what should those of us who see this as part of a larger decline in morals and values in our culture be doing?
Well first, I don't think we should be surprised. It you have even an inkling of a biblical worldview, then you know that this is what will take place. I'm not asking you to like it! I'm not even asking you to accept it! I am saying, don't respond as though it is a surprise, or as though it shouldn't be happening. Why God has ordained this to be, that's a discussion for another day, but the fact that humanity is rejecting the message of Christ and anything even remotely associated with it, such as Christmas, should be a surprise to no one who claims the name of Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Second, I want to encourage you to not let this get you down. Of course we want Christmas to hold a special place in the life of people and in our culture. I understand completely the frustration you experience over the disuse of the word "Christmas" to describe what we're celebrating. "Holiday Tree" instead of "Christmas Tree." Wishing you a "Happy Holiday" instead of a "Merry Christmas!" Retailers taking advantage of this special time of year to profit off of the birth of Jesus! What is all of this rot? Don't allow the Secular Progressives to get the better of you, or to rob you of your joy.
As a matter of fact, if there's anything those of us who celebrate the true reason for the season should be doing, it's just that... CELEBRATE! I'm not suggesting that we merely "put on a happy face," but that we make it our aim, our goal this Christmas to pursue joy, full and lasting joy in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ! I think it's the lyrics of an old Bonnie Rait song that say it best, "Let's give them something to talk about!" Let's show the world that Christians have more to celebrate, more reason for joy, more satisfaction and more contentment because of the birth of Jesus than all the other festivals and celebrations put together!
If we're really wanting to change the way people think, act and behave, then let's amp up the celebration and join the angelic host singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!" That'll get them talking!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bail Out of the Bail Out!
Well, it's time to weigh in on the economic bail out down in the states. I'm not going to pretend that I even begin to understand everything that is taking place, but the one thing that stands out to me is we're in an economic spin cycle the likes of which Maytag would be proud of. Down in the U.S. there are companies that are circling the proverbial drain and the U.S. govt. is proposing to throw more money into the downward spiraling economy in order to keep jobs afloat, save said companies and keep the economy from going under. We're spinning round and round and round and no one has any idea how to plug the drain and stop the whirlpool. All the while the common people are getting more nauseated than a 10 year old forever twirling in circles on the Mad Hatters Tea Party ride at Disneyland.
I've listened to both sides of the economic bailout debate and there are people far better versed in discussing this than I am. It seems to me, though, that the last thing you want to do is charge the same people who caused this mess with fixing it. I just read a blog by Mark Baker on the peoplesweeklybrief@hotmail.com. In his blog Baker notes that Robert Rubin has been working as an economic advisor to President Elect Obama. Maybe Rubin's name is familiar to you, but in case not, allow me to fill you in. Back in the Clinton White House of the 90's Rubin was Secretary of the Treasury. It was under his oversight that the deregulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was put in place which has led to this mess. Yesterday I was in a meeting where Brad Willems, a Sr. Financial Planner for Assante, reminded us that it was the Clinton White House which came up with the brilliant idea that home ownership was the way to raise the standard of living for the lower classes. In other words, the U.S. govt. could raise the standard of living for the poor, or lower middle class, to middle or higher middle class if people could be helped to purchase a home. Hey, I admit, it's a noble idea, but it may just be that there's a reason people can't afford a home and maybe, while a wonderful ideal, home ownership isn't for everyone. Historically the obstacle to home ownership for many in the lower class had been poor credit, inability to make monthly mortgage payments, not enough money for a down payment, lack of jobs, or poor paying jobs, etc... The solution to this dilemma flowing down from the Clinton White House, lower the lending standards for poor, middle class, or minority buyers, thus helping them get into the housing market. The way to do that, get Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both govt. owned mortgage lenders, to adjust their lending practices and lower the qualifying standards for a loan. This, then, forced other private banks and institutional lenders to follow suit. That's basically the gist of what I read from Baker, and others, and heard from Brad. If I'm a little off, that's my fault, but you get the general idea.
Back to Paul Rubin, the architect in the Clinton Whilte House who oversaw the implementation of this policy. After his service as Treasury Secretary, he went to Citigroup where he became a director and senior advisor raking in some 100 million dollars while working for this organization. Um, in case you can't keep up with everything that is floating around in the bailout, this is the same Citigroup that just last week received a bucket full of cash from the govt. as part of the economic stimulus package. In what can only be described as incredible foresight on his part, Rubin left Citigroup this past August, just days before the drain stopper in the economic pool was pulled. Are you beginning to think that a lot of what is floating around in this cesspool is foul smelling? Me thinketh so! Are you also beginning to see a pattern here?
Now, President Elect Obama, with Rubin as an economic advisor, is appointing Rubin's proteges as part of his economic transition team and advisory group. The same group of people who helped navigate us into this mess are being tasked with the job of plugging the leak and stopping the cycle. There's a definition for insanity in there somewhere.
This blog isn't just about looking at and re-reporting current events. First and foremost, it is about responding from a biblical world view to the events and challenges facing us. So, allow me to offer a biblical perspective to the above. 1 Timothy 6:6-19 makes it very clear that what you do with money can destroy you (vs.9) or make you (vs. 19). Verse 10 is very well known to most Christians, "... the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." I like the way John Piper paraphrases this passage in his book, Desiring God, "The root of evil is that we are the kind of people who settle for the love of money instead of the love of God!" It would seem to me that if the current economic crises shows us anything it is we spend a lot of time and energy worrying about money, striving for riches, hanging onto and protecting what we have, but in the end it isn't going to matter. In the blink of an eye it can all be gone, or in the blink of an eye we can be gone and, as Paul reminds Timothy, we can't take it with us! If I can paraphrase this passage for our economic times into one simple statement, it would be, "No matter whether the market is flush or whether it is circling the drain, God is always better than gold!" There is, according to Paul, great gain in godliness with contentment (vs. 8) So, what does it gain you and me to have it all and to risk loosing our souls? America today, and I would put Canada on the periphery of this category, is a save yourself society. The problem is it doesn't work. We're never going to truly be able to hold onto everything we have, our lives included. Instead, Paul is urging us to lay hold of eternity. No one, secular, believer, or otherwise, wants destruction, ruin, or worry. Everyone wants to lay hold of life. Therefore, test yourself. What attitudes do you have during these tough economic times? Is your confidence in your RRSPs, bank accounts, or stock portfolio? If so, then listening to the news reports will have you believing we're circling the economic drain and you'll be ready to throw yourself down the drain with everything else. Or, is your attitude that it's all God's anyway and I'm merely the conduit through which God is going to let money flow for his purposes? One attitude leads towards worry. The other leads towards contentment in the face of circling drains.
I've listened to both sides of the economic bailout debate and there are people far better versed in discussing this than I am. It seems to me, though, that the last thing you want to do is charge the same people who caused this mess with fixing it. I just read a blog by Mark Baker on the peoplesweeklybrief@hotmail.com. In his blog Baker notes that Robert Rubin has been working as an economic advisor to President Elect Obama. Maybe Rubin's name is familiar to you, but in case not, allow me to fill you in. Back in the Clinton White House of the 90's Rubin was Secretary of the Treasury. It was under his oversight that the deregulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was put in place which has led to this mess. Yesterday I was in a meeting where Brad Willems, a Sr. Financial Planner for Assante, reminded us that it was the Clinton White House which came up with the brilliant idea that home ownership was the way to raise the standard of living for the lower classes. In other words, the U.S. govt. could raise the standard of living for the poor, or lower middle class, to middle or higher middle class if people could be helped to purchase a home. Hey, I admit, it's a noble idea, but it may just be that there's a reason people can't afford a home and maybe, while a wonderful ideal, home ownership isn't for everyone. Historically the obstacle to home ownership for many in the lower class had been poor credit, inability to make monthly mortgage payments, not enough money for a down payment, lack of jobs, or poor paying jobs, etc... The solution to this dilemma flowing down from the Clinton White House, lower the lending standards for poor, middle class, or minority buyers, thus helping them get into the housing market. The way to do that, get Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both govt. owned mortgage lenders, to adjust their lending practices and lower the qualifying standards for a loan. This, then, forced other private banks and institutional lenders to follow suit. That's basically the gist of what I read from Baker, and others, and heard from Brad. If I'm a little off, that's my fault, but you get the general idea.
Back to Paul Rubin, the architect in the Clinton Whilte House who oversaw the implementation of this policy. After his service as Treasury Secretary, he went to Citigroup where he became a director and senior advisor raking in some 100 million dollars while working for this organization. Um, in case you can't keep up with everything that is floating around in the bailout, this is the same Citigroup that just last week received a bucket full of cash from the govt. as part of the economic stimulus package. In what can only be described as incredible foresight on his part, Rubin left Citigroup this past August, just days before the drain stopper in the economic pool was pulled. Are you beginning to think that a lot of what is floating around in this cesspool is foul smelling? Me thinketh so! Are you also beginning to see a pattern here?
Now, President Elect Obama, with Rubin as an economic advisor, is appointing Rubin's proteges as part of his economic transition team and advisory group. The same group of people who helped navigate us into this mess are being tasked with the job of plugging the leak and stopping the cycle. There's a definition for insanity in there somewhere.
This blog isn't just about looking at and re-reporting current events. First and foremost, it is about responding from a biblical world view to the events and challenges facing us. So, allow me to offer a biblical perspective to the above. 1 Timothy 6:6-19 makes it very clear that what you do with money can destroy you (vs.9) or make you (vs. 19). Verse 10 is very well known to most Christians, "... the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." I like the way John Piper paraphrases this passage in his book, Desiring God, "The root of evil is that we are the kind of people who settle for the love of money instead of the love of God!" It would seem to me that if the current economic crises shows us anything it is we spend a lot of time and energy worrying about money, striving for riches, hanging onto and protecting what we have, but in the end it isn't going to matter. In the blink of an eye it can all be gone, or in the blink of an eye we can be gone and, as Paul reminds Timothy, we can't take it with us! If I can paraphrase this passage for our economic times into one simple statement, it would be, "No matter whether the market is flush or whether it is circling the drain, God is always better than gold!" There is, according to Paul, great gain in godliness with contentment (vs. 8) So, what does it gain you and me to have it all and to risk loosing our souls? America today, and I would put Canada on the periphery of this category, is a save yourself society. The problem is it doesn't work. We're never going to truly be able to hold onto everything we have, our lives included. Instead, Paul is urging us to lay hold of eternity. No one, secular, believer, or otherwise, wants destruction, ruin, or worry. Everyone wants to lay hold of life. Therefore, test yourself. What attitudes do you have during these tough economic times? Is your confidence in your RRSPs, bank accounts, or stock portfolio? If so, then listening to the news reports will have you believing we're circling the economic drain and you'll be ready to throw yourself down the drain with everything else. Or, is your attitude that it's all God's anyway and I'm merely the conduit through which God is going to let money flow for his purposes? One attitude leads towards worry. The other leads towards contentment in the face of circling drains.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gay Pride Parade
Where has the sanity gone? I'm sorry folks, but those of us in the evangelical community are losing it! Yes, that's those of us who call ourselves Christians. Apparently Abbotsford has approved a gay pride parade for our city. OK, I'm not in favor of homosexuality, I don't want a gay pride parade, but we're reacting as if all hope is lost. I'm reading the Letters to the Editor in The Abbotsford News and all we're doing is playing right into the hands of the homosexual community. They're accusing us of preaching hate, holding onto fear and being homophobic, all the while they're celebrating diversity, openness and acceptance! While that's the biggest bunch of rot I've ever heard, the truth is we are trying to make our case in the court of public opinion when we should be making our case through love in action!
Hear me loud and clear... Fellow brothers and sister in Christ, we're not going to win a public debate on whether or not there should be a gay pride parade in Abbotsford, or any other place! Let's get that through our heads.
So, what do we do? Folks, we live in a democracy, which by the way is not found in the Bible, and in such a system of government people are free to speak their opinions and hold gay pride parades. In previous posting I have defended the right of Pastor Stephen Boission to speak his mind when the Alberta Human Rights Commission wanted to take away his freedom to speak on the subject. I will never willingly give up the right to preach truth, to preach what the Bible teaches and to advocate for the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There comes a point, though, when it becomes apparent that the time for public discourse is over and the time for a new front on godlessness has arrived. That time is now!
Let's quit with the rhetoric and the lambasting of the homosexual community and begin by cleaning our own house! What's that you say? Yeah, you heard me right. The problem we have in the eyes of the world is that our words are not matching up with our witness. There are too many of us Christians who say one thing and do another. Step number 1 in this new front on godlessness, let's starting living like Jesus taught us to live. Let's begin with loving one another as He loved us. Let's continue with honoring one another and living in harmony with one another. Let's go above and beyond by living generously and joyfully. Let's give of ourselves, our time and our money. Here's a thought, let us pursue righteousness, holiness, purity and godliness in our own lives, in our own churches, homes, businesses and relationships. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church. Wives, honor your husbands as unto the Lord. Fathers, don't infuriate your children. Children, honor your fathers and mothers. Let's quit running down those who we don't agree with and start living as Jesus called us to live. Let's run business that first and foremost honor Jesus Christ. Let's make every effort to care for those who are in need. Let's make it our priority to live peaceably with all. Don't appease the homosexual community, but rather out live them, out love them and out care them.
Step number 2, rather than running around like Chicken Little and acting as if the sky is falling, let's start figuring out how we might minister to the homosexual community! I know, some of you are thinking I'm off my rocker... hey, I've been put down by far worse people than you! (that's supposed to be an attempt at humour) First, the sky isn't falling! This is what happens in a democracy. We make room for opposing views. The one thing we must never surrender is our right to speak. The fact we must face, though, is no one wants to hear our views when it comes to homosexuality. So, now we have to approach things from a slightly different prospective. I'm throwing this one out there for your humble consideration, but what would happen if instead of protesting the gay pride parade we showed up and tried to minister to the gay community unconditionally, without an agenda and with the love of Jesus. See, I have a sneaking suspicion that they really don't care what we say, they're going to go ahead and do what they want without hesitation and with great glee at our discomfort. But what would happen if all of a sudden we didn't act the way they think we're going to act, if we didn't respond to their hatred and bigotry the way they respond to us? What if instead of bashing them we tried to love them with the love of Jesus? I'm not sure how that looks, but here's a thought... I have a friend who loves Jesus, he's a godly man, and a Chiropractor who goes oversees and treats people who might not get Chiropractic help. What if people like him were available to help the marchers at the gay pride parade. Here's another thought... every year we celebrate Love Abbotsford! What would you think about having people available to hand out free cokes and water? Or, to give out free hot dogs and chips? I don't know, but that would be different. It's certainly better than the gay activists who interrupted church services in Michigan and it would definitely be different than what the homosexual community would expect from us Christians.
Yeah, there is a culture war that is taking place in our country. Guess what! We're losing it. So, let's go back and take our cues from Jesus. Let's make sure our own house is in order and then let's feed those who hate us, let's give them something to drink and let's love them with the love of Jesus!
Hear me loud and clear... Fellow brothers and sister in Christ, we're not going to win a public debate on whether or not there should be a gay pride parade in Abbotsford, or any other place! Let's get that through our heads.
So, what do we do? Folks, we live in a democracy, which by the way is not found in the Bible, and in such a system of government people are free to speak their opinions and hold gay pride parades. In previous posting I have defended the right of Pastor Stephen Boission to speak his mind when the Alberta Human Rights Commission wanted to take away his freedom to speak on the subject. I will never willingly give up the right to preach truth, to preach what the Bible teaches and to advocate for the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There comes a point, though, when it becomes apparent that the time for public discourse is over and the time for a new front on godlessness has arrived. That time is now!
Let's quit with the rhetoric and the lambasting of the homosexual community and begin by cleaning our own house! What's that you say? Yeah, you heard me right. The problem we have in the eyes of the world is that our words are not matching up with our witness. There are too many of us Christians who say one thing and do another. Step number 1 in this new front on godlessness, let's starting living like Jesus taught us to live. Let's begin with loving one another as He loved us. Let's continue with honoring one another and living in harmony with one another. Let's go above and beyond by living generously and joyfully. Let's give of ourselves, our time and our money. Here's a thought, let us pursue righteousness, holiness, purity and godliness in our own lives, in our own churches, homes, businesses and relationships. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church. Wives, honor your husbands as unto the Lord. Fathers, don't infuriate your children. Children, honor your fathers and mothers. Let's quit running down those who we don't agree with and start living as Jesus called us to live. Let's run business that first and foremost honor Jesus Christ. Let's make every effort to care for those who are in need. Let's make it our priority to live peaceably with all. Don't appease the homosexual community, but rather out live them, out love them and out care them.
Step number 2, rather than running around like Chicken Little and acting as if the sky is falling, let's start figuring out how we might minister to the homosexual community! I know, some of you are thinking I'm off my rocker... hey, I've been put down by far worse people than you! (that's supposed to be an attempt at humour) First, the sky isn't falling! This is what happens in a democracy. We make room for opposing views. The one thing we must never surrender is our right to speak. The fact we must face, though, is no one wants to hear our views when it comes to homosexuality. So, now we have to approach things from a slightly different prospective. I'm throwing this one out there for your humble consideration, but what would happen if instead of protesting the gay pride parade we showed up and tried to minister to the gay community unconditionally, without an agenda and with the love of Jesus. See, I have a sneaking suspicion that they really don't care what we say, they're going to go ahead and do what they want without hesitation and with great glee at our discomfort. But what would happen if all of a sudden we didn't act the way they think we're going to act, if we didn't respond to their hatred and bigotry the way they respond to us? What if instead of bashing them we tried to love them with the love of Jesus? I'm not sure how that looks, but here's a thought... I have a friend who loves Jesus, he's a godly man, and a Chiropractor who goes oversees and treats people who might not get Chiropractic help. What if people like him were available to help the marchers at the gay pride parade. Here's another thought... every year we celebrate Love Abbotsford! What would you think about having people available to hand out free cokes and water? Or, to give out free hot dogs and chips? I don't know, but that would be different. It's certainly better than the gay activists who interrupted church services in Michigan and it would definitely be different than what the homosexual community would expect from us Christians.
Yeah, there is a culture war that is taking place in our country. Guess what! We're losing it. So, let's go back and take our cues from Jesus. Let's make sure our own house is in order and then let's feed those who hate us, let's give them something to drink and let's love them with the love of Jesus!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
In Defense of The Right to Speak
Are you aware of the recent story out of Alberta regarding the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC), judge Lori Andreachuk and their ruling that Pastor Stephen Boission had somehow made politically incorrect remarks in speaking out against the practice of advocating for homosexuality in Alberta schools? The AHRC found that Pastor Boission in submitting a letter to the editor of the Red Deep Advocate made despairing remarks against homosexuals and those who advocate for them in public schools.
I've read several different postings and blogs on the subject, and it seems to me many of the writers are missing the point. While I believe homosexuality is a sin, the issue isn't whether you agree with Pastor Boissoin, but whether he has the right to write and say what he believes without being hauled before some Kangaroo court where he was fined, prohibited from ever publicly speaking, writing or advocating on this issue again, and told to write a letter of apology to Dr. Darren Lund of the University of Calgary who was the complainant to the AHRC.
I happen to agree with Pastor Boissoin, but if you don't I would still defend your right to say so. Although, let's be honest, no one is going to haul you before some tribunal for speaking out against what Pastor Boissoin and I believe. The issue here isn't homosexuality, but rather, as this case so clearly illustrates, the truth that unless you are in lockstep with the politically correct thought police, then there is no room for a dissenting view.
Now, some will call me homophobic, and that's alright. I don't hate or fear homosexuals. I love God and I believe with my whole heart that God's word, the Bible, is true, relevant and worthy of proclaiming. The truth is, I'm not afraid of homosexuals in the real sense. I seriously doubt that homosexuals are going to storm my office, are going hunt me down or are going to stand outside my town home and protest. I'm not afraid that homosexuals are going to "convert" me or any of that kind of rot. I am afraid, though, of losing my right to state my opinion. I am afraid of a state that will "tolerate" censorship. I am afraid of being told what my opinion is, or at least should be. As author and humorist Mark Steyn writes, "'Homophobia' was always absurd: people who are antipathetic to gays are not afraid of them... The invention of a phony-baloney "phobia" was a way of casting opposition to the gay political agenda as a kind of mental illness: don't worry, you're not really against same-sex marriage; with a bit of treatment and some medication, you'll soon be feeling okay." He's quite correct and I'm feeling just fine thank you very much.
No, this debate isn't about homosexuals being victimized by some letter to the editor that some conservative Christian wrote. It's far more insidious than that. It's about whether we live in a society that still protects the rights of its people to think independent to the government, and to hold views and opinions that are not politically correct. Ironically, the homosexual lobby will try and get you to believe that as Christians we're out of touch, we're on the fringes of society and that we're nothing but a small loony bunch of people that nobody should pay attention to. If that's true, they sure do spend a lot of time, money and effort combating such a small insignificant group. That's fine! They have the right to believe what they believe, just don't take away my right to think and say what I believe.
I've read several different postings and blogs on the subject, and it seems to me many of the writers are missing the point. While I believe homosexuality is a sin, the issue isn't whether you agree with Pastor Boissoin, but whether he has the right to write and say what he believes without being hauled before some Kangaroo court where he was fined, prohibited from ever publicly speaking, writing or advocating on this issue again, and told to write a letter of apology to Dr. Darren Lund of the University of Calgary who was the complainant to the AHRC.
I happen to agree with Pastor Boissoin, but if you don't I would still defend your right to say so. Although, let's be honest, no one is going to haul you before some tribunal for speaking out against what Pastor Boissoin and I believe. The issue here isn't homosexuality, but rather, as this case so clearly illustrates, the truth that unless you are in lockstep with the politically correct thought police, then there is no room for a dissenting view.
Now, some will call me homophobic, and that's alright. I don't hate or fear homosexuals. I love God and I believe with my whole heart that God's word, the Bible, is true, relevant and worthy of proclaiming. The truth is, I'm not afraid of homosexuals in the real sense. I seriously doubt that homosexuals are going to storm my office, are going hunt me down or are going to stand outside my town home and protest. I'm not afraid that homosexuals are going to "convert" me or any of that kind of rot. I am afraid, though, of losing my right to state my opinion. I am afraid of a state that will "tolerate" censorship. I am afraid of being told what my opinion is, or at least should be. As author and humorist Mark Steyn writes, "'Homophobia' was always absurd: people who are antipathetic to gays are not afraid of them... The invention of a phony-baloney "phobia" was a way of casting opposition to the gay political agenda as a kind of mental illness: don't worry, you're not really against same-sex marriage; with a bit of treatment and some medication, you'll soon be feeling okay." He's quite correct and I'm feeling just fine thank you very much.
No, this debate isn't about homosexuals being victimized by some letter to the editor that some conservative Christian wrote. It's far more insidious than that. It's about whether we live in a society that still protects the rights of its people to think independent to the government, and to hold views and opinions that are not politically correct. Ironically, the homosexual lobby will try and get you to believe that as Christians we're out of touch, we're on the fringes of society and that we're nothing but a small loony bunch of people that nobody should pay attention to. If that's true, they sure do spend a lot of time, money and effort combating such a small insignificant group. That's fine! They have the right to believe what they believe, just don't take away my right to think and say what I believe.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Where's the Good Samaritan?
Maybe you saw the video of the hit and run victim in Maryland last week. Hit by a car, the man lay in the street as pedestrians and cars passed by without stopping to help. I heard about this incident and was incredulous. Where were the Good Samaritan's who were willing to get involved, willing to get dirty, willing to take a risk? I found myself asking, "Is this the level that we as a society have sunk to?" As I considered these questions over the past few days, I came to the conclusion that, while this incident is a tragic indictment on where our society is headed, it is not indicative of how the level the majority of society has fallen to... yet! There still is time for us to rise above the pettiness and self-centeredness that seems to be the norm today. It is possible for us to transcend the isolation and the disconnection that so many people feel in our culture. To do so, though, we're going to have to make a conscience choice to live beyond ourselves and to live as Jesus did.
I know, I know! I can hear it already. We're busy. The pace of life is so fast. There doesn't seem to be enough time. We're barely making it through the day as it is, how is it that we're supposed to stop and lend a hand. Then there's the reality of people who take advantage. We all know stories of con-artists and nefarious people who are only looking to prey upon the weak, unsuspecting or the gullible. We've heard of people who give, only to find out that they've been ripped off, stolen from or somehow made to suffer because of their goodness. We grow cynical, jaded and decide that getting involved is just not worth the effort or the risk. I'm not dismissing any of that. I am challenging us to rise about it, though.
On our own, individually, we're not going to be able to fix the whole world. Let me suggest, though, that collectively, as the body of Christ, we can begin, right here in our own little spot on the earth, to rage against the tide of self-centered individualism and the indifference that is generated by our cynical me first spirit. I was recently told about a young family that is diligently working and making an effort to be good neighbors and members of the community. The husband/wife, father/mother, are not trying to take advantage of anyone's good will. They're not living off of others or letting the government be their source. They're a good, hardworking, upstanding young couple. Apparently the wife/mother had not been sleeping well and was feeling the worn out affects of sleepless nights. What young mother can't relate to that? Maybe it was a little worse than normal, I don't know. I do know that she was struggling. Members of their small, little church heard about the situation and decided that they would try and help. Maybe a new mattress was in order! So, that's what the church decided to do, take up an offering and buy the couple a larger/better mattress. Is this simple act of goodness going to end global hunger, reduce poverty, or eliminate suffering in the Sudan? No, probably not. But, it does restore one's hope and remind the rest of us that the church working in community can make a difference, even if it is giving a young wife and mother a better nights sleep.
Let's not allow the unfortunate example of a few overshadow the positive contribution made by others to jade us and keep us from taking the risk, getting involved and helping others. Let us redouble our efforts and commitment to Be Like Jesus, Live Like Jesus and Love Like Jesus!
I know, I know! I can hear it already. We're busy. The pace of life is so fast. There doesn't seem to be enough time. We're barely making it through the day as it is, how is it that we're supposed to stop and lend a hand. Then there's the reality of people who take advantage. We all know stories of con-artists and nefarious people who are only looking to prey upon the weak, unsuspecting or the gullible. We've heard of people who give, only to find out that they've been ripped off, stolen from or somehow made to suffer because of their goodness. We grow cynical, jaded and decide that getting involved is just not worth the effort or the risk. I'm not dismissing any of that. I am challenging us to rise about it, though.
On our own, individually, we're not going to be able to fix the whole world. Let me suggest, though, that collectively, as the body of Christ, we can begin, right here in our own little spot on the earth, to rage against the tide of self-centered individualism and the indifference that is generated by our cynical me first spirit. I was recently told about a young family that is diligently working and making an effort to be good neighbors and members of the community. The husband/wife, father/mother, are not trying to take advantage of anyone's good will. They're not living off of others or letting the government be their source. They're a good, hardworking, upstanding young couple. Apparently the wife/mother had not been sleeping well and was feeling the worn out affects of sleepless nights. What young mother can't relate to that? Maybe it was a little worse than normal, I don't know. I do know that she was struggling. Members of their small, little church heard about the situation and decided that they would try and help. Maybe a new mattress was in order! So, that's what the church decided to do, take up an offering and buy the couple a larger/better mattress. Is this simple act of goodness going to end global hunger, reduce poverty, or eliminate suffering in the Sudan? No, probably not. But, it does restore one's hope and remind the rest of us that the church working in community can make a difference, even if it is giving a young wife and mother a better nights sleep.
Let's not allow the unfortunate example of a few overshadow the positive contribution made by others to jade us and keep us from taking the risk, getting involved and helping others. Let us redouble our efforts and commitment to Be Like Jesus, Live Like Jesus and Love Like Jesus!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Aftermath Reflections
I haven't posted for awhile... obviously! I believe, though, I need to make better use of this space and that I should be posting on a regular basis. I will work at it.
Any of you who know Central Heights, know that on April 25th the floor in our worship center collapsed. I'm not going to get into the collapse so much, other than to say it was a surreal experience. There were people who were hurt and for that I am deeply saddened. For the most part, though, this experience has been really quite interesting. Bear with me here, I have to separate myself from the pain people experienced, I do not in any way want to discount that, but rather, I want to try and examine the response to this crises from a dispassionate, objective point of view.
Let's start with the overwhelmingly vast majority of people who came alongside of us as a church. People were wonderful. They were supportive, caring and sympathetic. They helped in anyway they could and they wanted us to know that we were not standing alone. It was powerful and it restored my faith in people and the strength of the church.
On the other side, there were some people who saw this as God's judgement on Rock and Roll. I feel sorry for these people. Music is a language and the only meaning it has is the meaning that we assign to it. Any good music, whether classical or contemporary is going to stir the soul and move people's passions. These same people probably love organ music, which is fantastic (my mother was a concert pianist and organist. I grew up going to her concerts), but forget that the organ was banned by the early church as being too secular. In the parlance of today, organ music was once viewed in similar fashion to the rock music of our time. Forms change, truth does not.
There are also some people who saw the collapse of the floor as God's judgement for having a rock concert in a "sanctuary". This is plain ignorance of biblical truth. Today, God's people are the dwelling place of God, not some building, tent or ark! We have a place, building, location where we gather together to worship, but God doesn't stay in the Worship Center when we leave. We don't gather in the Worship Center because that is where God is! The Worship Center is a location that is large enough to facilitate corporate gatherings. We need some better theology than sacred place theology.
Let me comment on the media. By far and away I was impressed with the sensitivity and the respectfulness of their coverage. I felt they were fair and balanced in their reporting. I didn't agree with everything they said and some outlets didn't have their facts straight, the CBCs reporting of renovations we had done being one example of not getting the facts right, but for the most part they did their job and they did it without being obtrusive.
Some people have asked, "How have I seen God's hand in all of this?" or, "What message/lesson have I heard/learned?" I have seen God's hand through His people. Human beings, whether believers or not, have an incredible ability to respond to the need, the pain and hurt of others (see recent events in China and Myanmar). I have to ask the question, where does that come from? Is it just some evolutionary, biological impulse? Actually, I think evolutionary theory does a very poor job of explaining the care and compassion of people. If all we are is a by-product of survival, with the fittest outlasting the weakest, then we should be celebrating the demise of those not fit enough to survive. We shouldn't be concerned about them, or trying to help them. It's the law of the jungle and those not able to keep up, that's too bad! Rather, though, what we see through the tragedies of life are people who feel deeply, care greatly and help as best they can. Not everyone may be a follower of Jesus Christ, but we are all created in the image of our maker and He is the greatest example of compassion the world has ever seen. I believe the desire to help is something that we are born with and that it is proof there is a God who is bigger, better, more loving, more forgiving and more compassionate than we can imagine.
What have I heard? Christ... when all is SHAKING! That may sound like a nifty little marketing cliche, but let me tell you, when the floor literally collapses beneath your feet, that's all there is -Jesus Christ! I don't survive this experience, the aftermath and the ongoing challenges without Jesus! The message for me is Jesus Christ is the only sure thing that I can stand on. I can't place my trust in man made structures or forms. I can't depend on the past performance of earthly things or the future expectations and guarantees of products that we rely on. I can only trust in the eternal truth and the solid rock of Jesus Christ to see me through. What I have learned is Christ... when ALL is SHAKING!
Any of you who know Central Heights, know that on April 25th the floor in our worship center collapsed. I'm not going to get into the collapse so much, other than to say it was a surreal experience. There were people who were hurt and for that I am deeply saddened. For the most part, though, this experience has been really quite interesting. Bear with me here, I have to separate myself from the pain people experienced, I do not in any way want to discount that, but rather, I want to try and examine the response to this crises from a dispassionate, objective point of view.
Let's start with the overwhelmingly vast majority of people who came alongside of us as a church. People were wonderful. They were supportive, caring and sympathetic. They helped in anyway they could and they wanted us to know that we were not standing alone. It was powerful and it restored my faith in people and the strength of the church.
On the other side, there were some people who saw this as God's judgement on Rock and Roll. I feel sorry for these people. Music is a language and the only meaning it has is the meaning that we assign to it. Any good music, whether classical or contemporary is going to stir the soul and move people's passions. These same people probably love organ music, which is fantastic (my mother was a concert pianist and organist. I grew up going to her concerts), but forget that the organ was banned by the early church as being too secular. In the parlance of today, organ music was once viewed in similar fashion to the rock music of our time. Forms change, truth does not.
There are also some people who saw the collapse of the floor as God's judgement for having a rock concert in a "sanctuary". This is plain ignorance of biblical truth. Today, God's people are the dwelling place of God, not some building, tent or ark! We have a place, building, location where we gather together to worship, but God doesn't stay in the Worship Center when we leave. We don't gather in the Worship Center because that is where God is! The Worship Center is a location that is large enough to facilitate corporate gatherings. We need some better theology than sacred place theology.
Let me comment on the media. By far and away I was impressed with the sensitivity and the respectfulness of their coverage. I felt they were fair and balanced in their reporting. I didn't agree with everything they said and some outlets didn't have their facts straight, the CBCs reporting of renovations we had done being one example of not getting the facts right, but for the most part they did their job and they did it without being obtrusive.
Some people have asked, "How have I seen God's hand in all of this?" or, "What message/lesson have I heard/learned?" I have seen God's hand through His people. Human beings, whether believers or not, have an incredible ability to respond to the need, the pain and hurt of others (see recent events in China and Myanmar). I have to ask the question, where does that come from? Is it just some evolutionary, biological impulse? Actually, I think evolutionary theory does a very poor job of explaining the care and compassion of people. If all we are is a by-product of survival, with the fittest outlasting the weakest, then we should be celebrating the demise of those not fit enough to survive. We shouldn't be concerned about them, or trying to help them. It's the law of the jungle and those not able to keep up, that's too bad! Rather, though, what we see through the tragedies of life are people who feel deeply, care greatly and help as best they can. Not everyone may be a follower of Jesus Christ, but we are all created in the image of our maker and He is the greatest example of compassion the world has ever seen. I believe the desire to help is something that we are born with and that it is proof there is a God who is bigger, better, more loving, more forgiving and more compassionate than we can imagine.
What have I heard? Christ... when all is SHAKING! That may sound like a nifty little marketing cliche, but let me tell you, when the floor literally collapses beneath your feet, that's all there is -Jesus Christ! I don't survive this experience, the aftermath and the ongoing challenges without Jesus! The message for me is Jesus Christ is the only sure thing that I can stand on. I can't place my trust in man made structures or forms. I can't depend on the past performance of earthly things or the future expectations and guarantees of products that we rely on. I can only trust in the eternal truth and the solid rock of Jesus Christ to see me through. What I have learned is Christ... when ALL is SHAKING!
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