Death of a Legacy: The End of Hate

I saw this picture the other day, and it struck me.  It was taken at a KKK rally in 1992, and here we see this small child, too young to really know what the outfit he is wearing even means, staring at his reflection...  I wonder to myself where this child is now.  What does he think when he sees this photograph?  Is he hateful?  Does the KKK represent his values?  Does he see himself for who he really is?

Hate is such a powerful force in this world.  But as with all things, hate must come to an end.  And in time, it will.  Take, for example, the case of one hateful Fred Phelps.  Phelps was the pastor of a pseudo-church that made a habit of spreading hate. The Westboro band spread their brand by hauling signs to funerals proclaiming "God Hates Fags", and though their message was very "loud and proud", they clearly demonstrated by their lack of church size that hate is a losing message.

I say, "was the pastor", because Mr. Phelps is now dead.  One can only hope that his message will die with him; but that is not why I am writing this piece.  The thoughts that run through my mind at the moment are a mixed bag of nuts, but I will try and sort them out in brief fashion...

First off, I find it important to express to the reader, that Mr. Phelps does not represent the teachings of Christ, or the Bible.  Now I know you may be thinking, "But I thought the Bible taught that homosexuality was a sin?" You are exactly right.  It does.  But it also teaches that adultery is a sin. And it teaches that pornography and lust of the heterosexual nature are sins. Ironically, it also teaches that gossip, greed, jealousy, and gluttony are also all sins- with the same end result.  And most importantly, it teaches that hate is not only a sin- but a sin equal to murder in the eyes of God.

So, there we have it. Mr. Phelps may have been right that homosexuality is a sin; but he was in no better place, as biblically speaking, he would be compared to a murderer.  His actions were equally offensive to God.  The darkness in his heart tainted and distorted any truth his message may have had...

As Christians, it is imperative that we understand one thing: Love.  Yes, we are to stand for what is right. Yes, we are to be speakers of truth. Yes, we are called by God to preach repentance of sins. But we are also called by God to love. There MUST be a balance.  Paul wrote so very eloquently in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that our words may be the best words- but if they are spoken without love, they are just noise; that our wisdom and knowledge may be top notch, but if it is void of love, then it is nothing; and that our actions may astound the world, but if they are done without love as the motive, it will gain us nothing in the end.

And that is just what Mr. Phelps gained for all his life's work- nothing. Let us not ridicule him, or wish him safe journeys to hell- for in so doing we lower ourselves to his level. But rather let us look to him as a warning beacon for what happens when we allow bitterness, unforgiveness, and hate to rule our hearts. Let us examine ourselves in honesty and truth, and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us if love is not our motive.  And let us find ourselves always acting with all love, for if Christ so loved the world- so should we.

Mission Minded in America

WE ARE a Christian nation.  I hear this repeatedly.  It seems to be the mantra of most followers of Christ here in America, a mantra that seems cemented by the fact that most of the founders of this great land professed to be followers of the faith; it flows through the veins of our history; it is even reflected in our national motto:  In God We Trust.  Yes, it seems that everyone knows we are a Christian nation; especially the Christians.

This is both a blessing and a curse.  It is a blessing because it means that we enjoy a rich heritage of religious freedom.  As Christians we are sensitive to any attacks against that freedom that come our way; and even when we may not always be overly active in politics, we are quick to step up and speak out when religious liberty is threatened.  However, it is also a curse.  How so you say?  Allow me to explain...

American Christians are great at evangelizing- in other nations.  We are quick to run to other nations to spread the Gospel; and often when our missionaries go overseas they see great results- God moving in amazing ways, spreading revival throughout communities the missionaries work in, many people converting to become followers of Christ.  I will be the first to admit it is very exciting to hear the testimonies that missionaries have to share when they return from foreign soil.

However, we are not so quick to share the Gospel here.  It seems too often our mouths are more interested in praising our favorite sports team than we are praising God.  Our heart is more content seeking the American dream than seeking to fulfil the Great Commission.  We are more cautious with our words, which are chosen intentionally to ensure they do not offend those in this vast culture that may believe in something different.

And we have our excuses; sometimes they even sound good.  The one on my mind tonight though, is the following:  We are a Christian nation.  So perhaps I am missing something here...  Because we are a Christian nation, we as Christians are excused from sharing the Gospel here?  It saddens me to no end when people tell me this...  You see, in the mind of many Christians, so much of our culture revolves around Christianity that they really believe everyone here has already heard the good news...  There is no point in making a special effort, in living mission minded in this land- because everyone has heard it already, and they have either chosen to accept or reject it.

You may ask- why does this sadden you?  Isn't it true?  In this nation where Jesus is so prevalent that His name is even a common curse word, shouldn't we turn more attention to other lands and not be so concerned about it here?  After all, we will probably just offend others anyway, and then we will be labeled as self-righteous people who are just some weird kind of zealot...

Well?  Is it true?

Tonight I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of teenagers about Jesus Christ.  I asked them who they thought He was.  Their response?  He was a guy who taught some religious stuff.  I asked them if they knew what sin was.  Would you believe they didn't?  They genuinely did not know what it meant to be a sinner!!  It was a great joy that God allowed me to explain the Gospel to them-  it is with greater joy that I have a new brother and sister in Christ when all was said and done...  But the reason and purpose for this blog is not to shine a light on that, but rather on this fact:  So many of us assume that everyone in America has heard the Gospel, that everyone knows what sin is, that everyone knows who Jesus is; we become so convinced of this that we make little or no effort to evangelize our neighbors, our co-workers, or families, our friends, or whoever else God places in our path...

The fact is, there are a lot of Americans that we have placed labels and assumptions on, who don't fit in to it at all.  The reality is that this society is so exposed to the Gospel that many of the lost have become desensitized to it's message, never getting the whole of the truth.  The reality is that too often we replace genuine evangelism with bumper sticker and t-shirt slogans, giving out only a half-hearted morsel of the whole loaf of the bread of life. 

The reality is, here in America, Jesus' Words apply greatly :  "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."

May I ask a question?  When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone?  When was the last time you took a friend or co-worker aside and said, "can I tell you about Someone who has completely changed my life?"  When was the last time you saw someone hurting and you offered to pray for them- not just when you got home or when you remembered to, but stopped right there, stopped what you were doing, and prayed WITH them?  When was the last time you were intentional about being mission minded here in America? 

I must confess- too often I am not.  It grieves me to think of missed opportunities because I fell into the trap of believing "they have probably already heard it"... 

Jesus never said, "Go-unless you think they already know."

Does that mean every time we share people will choose to accept Christ right then and there?  No.  Jesus was clear that many will reject Him, few will follow.  But you see that part isn't up to us.  It isn't for us to make the decision for them, and it isn't for us to get discouraged and give up when they don't.  What is for us is to be obedient.  And what is for us is that when we are obedient, we will see God move!  You see, I really believe Jesus' Words, the harvest IS plentiful here in America!  There are so many that have yet to hear the truth in our own backyard! 

Do me a favor would ya?  Let's agree together to be intentionally mission minded in THIS Country, in OUR state, in OUR city, in OUR neighborhood- you and me!  What do you say? 

I believe God will move and use us in an extraordinary way if we will commit to that!  Let's be a part of His harvest here in America!

Love Your Brother, Hate Your Brother

So yesterday evening I was walking with my wife in downtown Nampa, having a nice stroll when we came across the Blue Eye tavern...  now there are two realities here; first, the blue eye is a creepy place.  Not a place we visit, just one we hope would close down.  Second, we have a tendancy to attract strange people...  It is almost like they flock to us...  Case in point- a strange lady came up to us, this older asian woman with long black hair- and a white stripe dyed down the center of said hair, giving the illusion that she was wearing the scalp of a skunk on her head. 

So she comes up to us and whispers, "come here" and motions us about 2 feet away from the door of the blue eye.  Then looking around, in a hushed voice, says- "I just want to ask you if the blue eye is open..."  She then continues talking all about how great the club is...  Keep in mind she has to be in her late 50's, so that adds to the bizarness of the situation...

While she was a little strange, the thing is, when we are out we encounter a lot of strange people.  But sometimes they are strange people- in the Body.  People who are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who just seem a little on the odd side.  Yes, I know that I am odd, but I am talking a different kind of odd. 

Then there is the other type of odd... the type that drives you crazy...  the type that even make you mad...  Have you ever experienced that?  I know I have.  Now understand, it takes a lot to make me mad.  But sometimes you meet those people that are like a thorn in your side.  There is just something about them that grates on your nerves...  Like fingernails across a chalkboard... (shudders)

I think that we need to come to an understanding.  Sometimes people make us mad; and that is ok.  It is ok to not always get along.  It is ok to have differences of opinion.  It is ok even to get in arguements sometimes.  But what is NOT ok is letting those differences breed hate.  The apostle John  writes in 1 John 2 that if we hate our brother, we do not walk in the light of Christ but rather are blinded by darkness.  This is a very serious warning he issues us...  And we must be careful to guard our heart against hate.

"But I don't hate, I wouldn't hate anyone!" you say.  Maybe so- but then, often times hate sneaks in unexpected.  Like an unseen enemy it grips our heart, and often we do not see it until it has consumed us.  How do we stop such an enemy before it takes hold?  How do we combat such a powerful foe?

The first and most important step is communication.  When our brothers and sisters anger us, we must communicate it with God.  We must take it to Him in prayer, with a humble heart.  Then we must do the hard thing- we must be willing to take it to our brother or sister.  We must not hold on to it!  If we do not let it go then we will only end up giving in- to hate.

The question becomes then, why do we insist on holding on to our anger when our focus should be on the real enemy?  We must take every effort to put our differences aside, taking down walls of difference- even walls of anger- and allow wounds to heal.  We must join together as the Body, working as the Body in order to reach the world around us. 

Do you have anger or hate in your heart for a brother or sister?  It is time to put it down.  It is time we fight to win- and fight we must, by waging war against angry division.  End the hate. Pray to god. Love your brother.

The Salt of the Earth

I hate it.  I absolutely despise it.  Blech.  It tastes nasty, it is grainy, it dries out my mouth...  Nope, salt is not for me.  I don't add salt to anything I eat; I avoid it at all cost.  But there is something about it that, despite my feelings, is necessary.  The very nature of our body was created to be in need of a certain amount of the nasty stuff.  On top of that it has for thousands of years been a flavor enhancer, but more importantly, a preservative.  Not one that I would have personally picked, but- I digress.

Preservative...  salt...  It reminds me of something Jesus once said: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."  Matthew 5:13

 Have you ever wondered what that means?  What was Jesus referring to when He said that we are the salt of the earth?  And why would He choose salt? Blech...  But then, realize that when He spoke every Word had meaning, and a much deeper one than what we see on the surface.  We are the salt of the earth...  But if the salt has lost his savour...

Going back to my original thought, the idea that salt not only gives flavor but is a preservative...  What is a preservative? It is something that we add to a food item in order to make the said food last longer.  Food without it will spoil faster.  So we add the stuff in an effort to make it last as long as humanly possible.  Add that concept into the idea that we are the salt- or preservative- of the world.  What do you think that means?  How does salt get used?  It has to actually be applied, right?  And when it is applied it is done liberally, and with hope- hope that it will have some lasting effect, that it will make a difference. 

As Christians, we must ask ourselves this question- are we fulfilling our role?  Are we allowing ourselves to be used in hope to preserve the earth as best we can until He returns?  Now before you think I have gone on some enviro-friendly trip, let me assure you that is not what I am talking about.  Let me explain:  We all know this earth is a rotten place to live.  Everything seems to be falling apart right before our eyes; and each generation things get worse and worse.  We also know from Scripture that it won't be too long before the final prophecies are fulfilled- the end times are, indeed, just around the corner...  But what are we to do in the meantime?  Are we to just sit on our couches at home?  Are we to go on with our lives, steadily plodding towards the finish line without a care in the world?  Is that what a preservative does?  God forbid it!  We are the salt of the earth!  We are to go out in hope that God will use our talents, that He will use us to preserve the earth as best we can until His return!  That means preaching the Word, the good news of the Gospel which is our flavor; it means standing for what is right; it means hoping for a move of God that will shake foundations and bring people to their knees in repentance!!! To do anything less is to be fulfilling the exact opposite of our role! 

But we must also understand something else.  A single grain of salt will not do much to preserve or flavor.  When we separate ourselves apart, when we build walls that divide us, we are not very effective.  Listen carefully to this: YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY GRAIN OF SALT!!!  We have bought into this idea that we must have these walls built up around us, around our churches, around our denominations.  We have bought into a philosophy that says that we cannot work with someone who goes to the church down the road.  We have walled around our ground, staked our claim, raised our flag and sounded the alarm- against each other!    And while we sit in our bunkers, hiding our face from other believers who don't look, talk, walk or sound like us, the world rots around us, a lack of preservative whithering it away...

Now understand, the salt must remain pure- false teachers and false prophets will arise in attempt to deceive.  But I am not talking about that here.  I am talking about brothers and sisters in the faith, members of the same Body of Christ who would rather cut each other from the Body than work in effort to make a true difference in this land.  But what would happen if we took down these walls?  What if instead of refusing to work together, we instead stood side by side, building each other up, praying for each other, supporting each other?  What would happen?  If differences became a matter of simple discussion instead of angry debate?  If our attacks focused on the enemy instead of each other?

Here is the reality of the situation- we are in a desperate hour.  The lost, the broken, the hopeless surround us.  The harvest, my friends, is ready- but the workers are few, and too busy building walls of division to make a difference.  Will we see in time?  Will we decide in time that some things are not worth fighting over?  Will we wake up, tear down the walls we have built, move forward together with the Gospel, and be the salt of the earth? Or have we all together lost our savor?

Condoms, Catholics, and the Right To Free Birth Control

And so it begins...  What I believe to be an event that could be a turning point in American history.  An event that, if not stopped, could be the very sign of what is to come...  A sign of treachery, of difficulty, of seperating the wheat from the tares.  Though at first glance, it wouldn't appear that way...  But let's gaze into the looking glass and see what exactly I am referring to...

Why, could it be?  Ah, yes... I am referring to that cheshire grin from dear president Barry Hussein...  And his administration's recent health care mandate.  You know, that one existing in the small words of Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.  It was from her mouth that the machine uttered the order that from now on, EVERY employer must provide insurance for their employees that covers birth control, and abortificients.  Of course in keeping everyone's feelings and beliefs in mind the machine issued... Oh, where is it... The number of waivers they issued was...  Oh... I guess none...  But that's ok, because the religous exception is right here in the third... Oh, wait...  No, there is no religous exceptions after all!  huh... Interesting...

Interesting because of the fact that the very first to take notice of this were all the Catholic churches and their many non-profit organizations they run.  And why?  Because birth control and abortificients in any and all forms, in their belief and doctrinal teachings, is sin.  So this means... that they will either violate their conscience, or conform to Barry Hussein and his regime. 

Now before I get any further, I understand that different people have different views on birth control- and I am not debating either side of that debate today.  But rather, it is important to understand that this is NOT about whether birth control is right or wrong.  In all honesty, though it is veiled as being a measure to "support women's rights", I would dare say that it has nothing to do with women either.  Actually, I hate to say it, but the women's rights groups are very much being used like a prostitute by a pimp...  But I digress.

Before I give you my analysis I must also mention that, yes, after much public outrage, Obama did come out with a "compromise" of sorts...  He stated that, by his order, "Religious organizations won't have to pay for these services, and no religious institution will have to provide these services directly."  Key word: DIRECTLY.  Take note of that.  Keep in mind, also, that in his order, he mandated that ALL insurance companies will be REQUIRED to offer and provide birth control and abortificients to ALL women at NO charge.  Yes, you read that correctly. He told PRIVATE business that they MUST provide a service at NO charge, even though it WILL cost said insurance company to fulfil their new "obligation".

But that's ok, cause they are, after all, a part of the 1%...

Right?

Here's the deal...  First off, NO WHERE in the Constitution is the government granted the power to tell ANY business that they MUST provide ANY service for free.  It is called private business for a reason.  Last I checked, the only government officials who actually believe that they have this kind of power are people like, Hugo Chavez...  the Chinese...  Joseph Stalin... And other charming, yet witty, COMMUNISTS.  What Obama has done, without any congressional approval mind you (which is also a Constitutional violation), is a blatant attack on business- and a classic example of redistribution of wealth.

But it is deeper than that.  Notice that he said that little word, "directly"?  Understand that when a company has cost going out, they will find a way to bring in funds to cover the cost.  That is because it is their job.  Their job is to profit.  If they are losing profit, they are failing at their job.  So the question becomes- how do they recapture those lost dollars?  You guessed it- by raising the premiums on all those religous folk who were just told they would not be "directly" paying for birth control...  Because they will, in truth, be paying for it INdirectly.  which last time I checked, was STILL a violation of their beliefs.

Of course, then there is the whole matter of religous insurance companies...  I am not sure how the Catholics provide insurance for their priests, so I can only draw from the example of the Southern Baptist organization.  They hire a religous insurance group that is set up for the sole purpose of providing insurance specifically for Southern Baptist preachers and all of the faith based employees and missionaries that fall under their umbrella.  This means that this mandate requires all baptists everywhere to violate their conscience on abortificients by forcing a religous organization to provide them for free.  As I said I am unsure how Catholics handle the insurance question, but one must assume the possibility that their system is set up in similar fashion.

Understand, this is a calculated attack on religous freedom.  How hard would it be to allow religous orgainzations to provide insurance information to all potential employees outlining what they do and don't provide before they are hired?  This way if they don't like something, they can choose to work elsewhere!  There is also that grand option of the person who really feels they need contraception to make a trip to their local Planned Parenthood and get birth control handed to them for free...  Or, and I say this cautiosly, the idea that maybe the person "could PAY" for their own condoms!!!  Oh, but why would we in this entitlement society require that?

Get this: If this is allowed to stand, we will look back and see this as just the starting point for religous persecution by the federal government.  Remember it never starts out big- it's just the small stuff that we feel we can compromise on that they focus on first.  No matter our theology, church or creed, we must stand in one voice against this- even if you personally have no problems with contraceptions.  Because it is not about if condoms are right or wrong- it's about whether or not the government can require you to go against your religous belief- it's about whether or not the first ammendment matters...  If we fail to stand with those who think condoms are sinful now, well- eventually we will be wishing there were people left to stand with us on the religous beliefs that we hold dear...