I was watching a video this afternoon of a new show on cable. The show follows the daily life of a comedian. The show focuses on struggles he faces in daily life and has a few of his stand up segments spliced in as "color" for the day-to-day activities.
One segment of the stand up routine troubled me. It was discouraging because the star was turning his greed into comedy. I realize that in our calloused world, laughing at American greed has become commonplace, however this few seconds of the routine showed me just how far we have come.
The comedian was talking about how his driving a luxury car actually hurts other people in third world countries. He said he realizes he could trade his used luxury car in on a brand new subcompact and get cash back because of the difference in value. He said he could then use that cash to feed hungry people in third world countries. The entire time he is doing the bit, the audience is laughing.
Now please don't hear be judging people who drive luxury cars. I too have had the privilege of owning luxury cars. My first car was a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Since that car I have owned a Volvo 940 and a Lexus GS300, both entry level luxury cars.
My problem isn't with owning the car; my problem is with having come to the conclusion he could help others but instead turns the situation into a punchline for his stand up routine.
That leads me to my point for today. I believe it is one thing to not understand the problem, it is completely different to know there is a problem, have a solution, and then ignore your conscience, or worse, turn the situation into a punchline.
I recently saw a movie (yes, I do have a life outside of movies, but right now they are making my point for me) where an international aide worker commented his biggest problem was not that people in Uganda were starving to death. His biggest problem was to inform people with money there are people in Uganda starving to death when those potential donors don't even know there are people in Uganda.
It seems to me that as small as the world has become, as intertwined as the global economy has made us, there are still those of us who don't realize there is a Uganda and there are people who live there we could help.
I like my things. I've worked hard to attain them. I did not receive a large inheritance. I am not from a famous family. I have worked hard my entire life to be able to earn my things. I am grateful to God I was born in America, where I have the opportunity to work hard and raise myself up financially, as opposed to some other nation where I would not have the same opportunities.
Yet now that I know there are people starving each day, now that I know I can help, now what?
Does owning a luxury car, being on television, and having more than many people make our comedian a bad person? No! Having knowledge he could make a difference in another part of the world and turning that knowledge into a punchline, that is the problem.
If you are a Christian, God has called you to serve the "least of these." I believe our legacy as Christians needs to be about the entire world (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth). What conviction or realization have you seen in your life and have simply turned it into a punchline by ignoring your conscience?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Still, Small Voice
Last night as I was praying while preparing to go to sleep, I was deeply troubled. The same old things were on my mind: no job, no income, past due bills; so I took them to God. In my usual manner, I told God of the issue of concern and then prayed scripture appropriate to the request. "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19-NIV). I also prayed Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, tells those listening they are more important than the birds and flowers so don't worry about food or clothing.
I poured out my soul last night, telling God it had become cumbersome praying the same prayer each day, living each day with the weight of my financial burdens. And during that agonizing time, I heard a "still, small voice" whisper, "You've already given these concerns to me, why do you continue to hold on to them so tightly? Leave your burdens at the throne and I will then be able to answer."
In an amazing scene, something similar to Christian in Pilgrim's Progress losing the heavy pack from his back, I felt a weight fall off me last night. I realized I had continued to hold on to my requests each day by carrying around the weight of the problem despite having offered it to God in prayer. Each night I had prayed for relief, and then each morning I grabbed right back on to the problem, trying to solve it in my own power.
Last night I realized, though unfortunately not for the first time in my spiritual journey, that simply praying does not provide God with what He needs to be able to answer our prayers. In addition to offering the prayer, we have to also leave the burden at the throne. It is only when we truly surrender our daily problems to God that He will be able to provide answers.
I wish I could say that when I woke up this morning I had several emails from people wanting to provide me with job opportunities. Unfortunately, that is not how God chose to work this time. I can say, that in addition to hearing the voice tell me to leave the burden at the throne, I also clearly heard that the answer will come in His time. What is His time? I'm not sure.
I have learned one thing, however in the past five years of being self-employed. While God is rarely early (with answers to prayers), He has never been late. Sure, He operates outside of my personal comfort zone, but in five years, we have always had the money in the bank account on the day it was needed. Would I have liked for it to have been there sooner? Certainly! Have I had to negotiate with companies due to late payments? Yes. Yet each time "our backs seemed against the wall," the funds we had earned would arrive or a job would be offered, providing just enough to cover our immediate need.
You would think that having lived this way for five years I could simply wake each morning with the understanding that God is in control. Unfortunately I do not. There are far too many days, like last night, where I'm holding on to the burden and keeping God from working another miracle in my life. Last night was a great reminder that God cares for us, He has our best intentions in mind, and He will provide; as long as we stop trying to do it on our own and place ourselves in a position to respond to His prompting, in His time.
What are you holding on to today that you thought you had already released to God? Open up to Him completely and let God work His miracle in your life, in His time.
I poured out my soul last night, telling God it had become cumbersome praying the same prayer each day, living each day with the weight of my financial burdens. And during that agonizing time, I heard a "still, small voice" whisper, "You've already given these concerns to me, why do you continue to hold on to them so tightly? Leave your burdens at the throne and I will then be able to answer."
In an amazing scene, something similar to Christian in Pilgrim's Progress losing the heavy pack from his back, I felt a weight fall off me last night. I realized I had continued to hold on to my requests each day by carrying around the weight of the problem despite having offered it to God in prayer. Each night I had prayed for relief, and then each morning I grabbed right back on to the problem, trying to solve it in my own power.
Last night I realized, though unfortunately not for the first time in my spiritual journey, that simply praying does not provide God with what He needs to be able to answer our prayers. In addition to offering the prayer, we have to also leave the burden at the throne. It is only when we truly surrender our daily problems to God that He will be able to provide answers.
I wish I could say that when I woke up this morning I had several emails from people wanting to provide me with job opportunities. Unfortunately, that is not how God chose to work this time. I can say, that in addition to hearing the voice tell me to leave the burden at the throne, I also clearly heard that the answer will come in His time. What is His time? I'm not sure.
I have learned one thing, however in the past five years of being self-employed. While God is rarely early (with answers to prayers), He has never been late. Sure, He operates outside of my personal comfort zone, but in five years, we have always had the money in the bank account on the day it was needed. Would I have liked for it to have been there sooner? Certainly! Have I had to negotiate with companies due to late payments? Yes. Yet each time "our backs seemed against the wall," the funds we had earned would arrive or a job would be offered, providing just enough to cover our immediate need.
You would think that having lived this way for five years I could simply wake each morning with the understanding that God is in control. Unfortunately I do not. There are far too many days, like last night, where I'm holding on to the burden and keeping God from working another miracle in my life. Last night was a great reminder that God cares for us, He has our best intentions in mind, and He will provide; as long as we stop trying to do it on our own and place ourselves in a position to respond to His prompting, in His time.
What are you holding on to today that you thought you had already released to God? Open up to Him completely and let God work His miracle in your life, in His time.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Just Rambling about Worship
I drove from Lexington, Kentucky to Freeport, Illinois today. It wasn't an interesting drive since this is the fourth time I've driven to Chicago in the past two months. I practically have the route memorized, and can track my route with a clock rather than with a speedometer or odometer.
So I spent the time listening to several of my Pandora mixes, starting with my Avalon mix and then moving on to my Casting Crowns mix. I always find it more enjoyable to travel with music, and today I was in the mood for some worship sets.
It never ceases to amaze me how music can change any mood, and sure enough, at the points when I was getting "road weary" a great live worship set would come on the mix. Live worship is always best in my opinion, especially when the crowd gets into the act. I simply love hearing an artist drop out and let the crowd sing the lyrics. In that moment, there is a special bond between the musician and the audience.
It is like that with God too, I believe. When God hears us sing back to him (or use whatever form of worship we prefer), there is a tremendous bond created. God so desires worship from His creation, Luke 19:40 tells us that if his people keep silent, the rocks will cry out. God wants us to worship Him. He desires our praise and that connection with us, His children.
I hope that you find time in your day, each and every day, to worship. Not only does God desire to connect with us, we need to connect with Him!
So I spent the time listening to several of my Pandora mixes, starting with my Avalon mix and then moving on to my Casting Crowns mix. I always find it more enjoyable to travel with music, and today I was in the mood for some worship sets.
It never ceases to amaze me how music can change any mood, and sure enough, at the points when I was getting "road weary" a great live worship set would come on the mix. Live worship is always best in my opinion, especially when the crowd gets into the act. I simply love hearing an artist drop out and let the crowd sing the lyrics. In that moment, there is a special bond between the musician and the audience.
It is like that with God too, I believe. When God hears us sing back to him (or use whatever form of worship we prefer), there is a tremendous bond created. God so desires worship from His creation, Luke 19:40 tells us that if his people keep silent, the rocks will cry out. God wants us to worship Him. He desires our praise and that connection with us, His children.
I hope that you find time in your day, each and every day, to worship. Not only does God desire to connect with us, we need to connect with Him!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Two Truths from the Cross
This morning at church I heard the most convincing argument God exists and is a good and powerful God ever. I've been a Christian my whole life. I was raised in a Christian home, my father a Baptist preacher, my mother a devoted pastor's wife. It was my mother who showed me the path of salvation at our dinner table when I was four years old. My father baptized me when I was seven at the church where he was the pastor in southeastern Michigan.
The past 10 years of my life I've been part of the Willow Creek, non-denominational, "seeker-friendly" church. I would venture that in those 10 years, I've heard the "Why Do Bad Things Happen?" and "How Can God Call Himself Good?" type messages at least once a year. So walking into church this morning, seeing the new sermon series was "If God is Good...," I truly had no expectation to be surprised.
However, as with many things in my life these days, I was blown away. The message started the same, someone who had experienced all the hurts life had to offer (losing a brother to childhood leukemia, a mother who became an alcoholic and then later committed suicide, a father who sexually abused her as a teen) sat with her own daughter after her college sweetheart had walked out on them and asked hard questions of God.
I expected the answers to be the same, but this time, rather than being told that God created a perfect world but in order for man to have free will, He also had to allow for it to be corrupted; we were taken to the cross.
Do you question if God is in control? Do you question if God is a good and just God? Then all you have to do is look to the cross. This morning I was shown the answer to every question about the goodness of God can be handled at the cross. From this day on, each time I am asked by someone about God's goodness, I will have an answer. My hope is that after reading this, you will as well.
Please understand, this is not an answer I found. The work was done by someone else. I am simply forwarding this truth in the hopes that it may touch your life in the remarkable manner in which it touched me this morning as I listened to Mike Breaux at Southland. The thoughts were his, but the truth resonated in me like never before.
Mike took us to the cross and showed us two truths from the cross that answer the "If God is Good..." question:
1. We live in a toxic, unfair world and noone is exempt, not even God.
2. We have a sacrificial God.
The first truth blew me away. Like many of you, I have heard the message of the cross, heard of the sacrifice Jesus paid so we may have forgiveness of sin. It wasn't until this morning, however, I actually saw the connection between the fallen world and the price God allowed His son to pay in order to restore the world.
If anyone had an argument they deserved nothing but good, it was Jesus. His entire public ministry was devoted to sacrificially giving to those who had nothing. He fed people, he healed people, he changed people's lives for the better. In his entire ministry, the only people who were ever hurt were those in power, those who had corrupted the religious system. If anyone had an argument they were unjustly punished, it was Jesus.
Yet scripture tells us in Isaiah 53:7 that he did not open his mouth in defense. Jesus willingly (see John 10:17-18) offered himself as our sacrifice.
Yes bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to really bad people; but even God himself was not exempt from the laws of this world, proving to me He is good. Rather than remove himself (see Matthew 26:47-55), Jesus willingly offered his life for mine. That is the most compelling argument for a good God I can offer. Fortunately, we also serve a powerful God and Jesus is not dead; he was raised three days later.
I hope this brief post has offered you something to consider. If you want to hear Mike's words, follow this link (http://www.southlandchristian.org/teaching/series/if-god-is-good/). The messages will be posted as they are completed.
Next time you wonder, or someone asks "Is God Good?" all you have to do is look to the cross.
The past 10 years of my life I've been part of the Willow Creek, non-denominational, "seeker-friendly" church. I would venture that in those 10 years, I've heard the "Why Do Bad Things Happen?" and "How Can God Call Himself Good?" type messages at least once a year. So walking into church this morning, seeing the new sermon series was "If God is Good...," I truly had no expectation to be surprised.
However, as with many things in my life these days, I was blown away. The message started the same, someone who had experienced all the hurts life had to offer (losing a brother to childhood leukemia, a mother who became an alcoholic and then later committed suicide, a father who sexually abused her as a teen) sat with her own daughter after her college sweetheart had walked out on them and asked hard questions of God.
I expected the answers to be the same, but this time, rather than being told that God created a perfect world but in order for man to have free will, He also had to allow for it to be corrupted; we were taken to the cross.
Do you question if God is in control? Do you question if God is a good and just God? Then all you have to do is look to the cross. This morning I was shown the answer to every question about the goodness of God can be handled at the cross. From this day on, each time I am asked by someone about God's goodness, I will have an answer. My hope is that after reading this, you will as well.
Please understand, this is not an answer I found. The work was done by someone else. I am simply forwarding this truth in the hopes that it may touch your life in the remarkable manner in which it touched me this morning as I listened to Mike Breaux at Southland. The thoughts were his, but the truth resonated in me like never before.
Mike took us to the cross and showed us two truths from the cross that answer the "If God is Good..." question:
1. We live in a toxic, unfair world and noone is exempt, not even God.
2. We have a sacrificial God.
The first truth blew me away. Like many of you, I have heard the message of the cross, heard of the sacrifice Jesus paid so we may have forgiveness of sin. It wasn't until this morning, however, I actually saw the connection between the fallen world and the price God allowed His son to pay in order to restore the world.
If anyone had an argument they deserved nothing but good, it was Jesus. His entire public ministry was devoted to sacrificially giving to those who had nothing. He fed people, he healed people, he changed people's lives for the better. In his entire ministry, the only people who were ever hurt were those in power, those who had corrupted the religious system. If anyone had an argument they were unjustly punished, it was Jesus.
Yet scripture tells us in Isaiah 53:7 that he did not open his mouth in defense. Jesus willingly (see John 10:17-18) offered himself as our sacrifice.
Yes bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to really bad people; but even God himself was not exempt from the laws of this world, proving to me He is good. Rather than remove himself (see Matthew 26:47-55), Jesus willingly offered his life for mine. That is the most compelling argument for a good God I can offer. Fortunately, we also serve a powerful God and Jesus is not dead; he was raised three days later.
I hope this brief post has offered you something to consider. If you want to hear Mike's words, follow this link (http://www.southlandchristian.org/teaching/series/if-god-is-good/). The messages will be posted as they are completed.
Next time you wonder, or someone asks "Is God Good?" all you have to do is look to the cross.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Happy Birthday America
This weekend America celebrates 234 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Compared to other nations of the world, America is more like a teenager. I was watching a movie recently where US armed forces needed to enter a tunnel beneath a museum in Eastern Europe. The museum curator told the general, "I don't care who you are, this museum is older than your country and you will not dig a hole in the middle of it!"
That got me thinking and as I was contemplating what to write in honor of my country's birth, it became apparent I should concentrate on her age. Through that lens, I believe many of the problems we face as a nation today can be explained. So please permit me this deviation from my usual format (writing about the spiritual walk) as I delve into politics for just a bit today.
As an infant and then young nation, America, like children, followed without hesitation the teachings of our parents (the founding fathers). The bible and prayer were permitted in schools, we sought God during major times of crisis, and despite what our most recent President declared in 2009, America was a nation based on Jude0-Christian principles.
But then, like humans, as America entered her prepubescent years around the turn of the 20th Century, she started to shun the teachings of her fathers and seek her own path. Like many preteens, America turned to her peer group for identity and took on many of the teachings of Europe; including removing the Bible and prayer from school and replacing it with humanistic and evolutionary teachings.
As a full-fledged teen, by the end of the 20th century and now into the first decade of the 21st century, America has completely immersed herself in the identity of her peer group; taking on the very socialist, high tax, big government identity our fore fathers fought to gain independence from 234 years ago.
It is my hope, that like humans, as America continues to mature and reaches her "mid 20's," she will realize the founding fathers were men of wisdom and return to their teachings, shoving off this false identity she has taken in her rebellious years. You've heard it said that as children we think our parents are the smartest, strongest people on earth. As teens and young adults we think our parents are the weakest and dumbest people on earth; and sometime after graduating college and perhaps starting our own family, we realize just how smart and strong our parents actually are.
It is my hope America continues to mature and in doing so realizes just how smart the founding fathers were and returns to her roots; roots that include God and true freedom for all.
Happy birthday America. Long may your flag of freedom wave!
Compared to other nations of the world, America is more like a teenager. I was watching a movie recently where US armed forces needed to enter a tunnel beneath a museum in Eastern Europe. The museum curator told the general, "I don't care who you are, this museum is older than your country and you will not dig a hole in the middle of it!"
That got me thinking and as I was contemplating what to write in honor of my country's birth, it became apparent I should concentrate on her age. Through that lens, I believe many of the problems we face as a nation today can be explained. So please permit me this deviation from my usual format (writing about the spiritual walk) as I delve into politics for just a bit today.
As an infant and then young nation, America, like children, followed without hesitation the teachings of our parents (the founding fathers). The bible and prayer were permitted in schools, we sought God during major times of crisis, and despite what our most recent President declared in 2009, America was a nation based on Jude0-Christian principles.
But then, like humans, as America entered her prepubescent years around the turn of the 20th Century, she started to shun the teachings of her fathers and seek her own path. Like many preteens, America turned to her peer group for identity and took on many of the teachings of Europe; including removing the Bible and prayer from school and replacing it with humanistic and evolutionary teachings.
As a full-fledged teen, by the end of the 20th century and now into the first decade of the 21st century, America has completely immersed herself in the identity of her peer group; taking on the very socialist, high tax, big government identity our fore fathers fought to gain independence from 234 years ago.
It is my hope, that like humans, as America continues to mature and reaches her "mid 20's," she will realize the founding fathers were men of wisdom and return to their teachings, shoving off this false identity she has taken in her rebellious years. You've heard it said that as children we think our parents are the smartest, strongest people on earth. As teens and young adults we think our parents are the weakest and dumbest people on earth; and sometime after graduating college and perhaps starting our own family, we realize just how smart and strong our parents actually are.
It is my hope America continues to mature and in doing so realizes just how smart the founding fathers were and returns to her roots; roots that include God and true freedom for all.
Happy birthday America. Long may your flag of freedom wave!
Friday, July 2, 2010
My Friday Morning Prayer
I had a heavy heart this morning as I approached my bible reading and prayer time; there are simply too many things weighing on my mind, and it was reflected in my approach to quiet time. Yet, because I have committed to spending time with God each day prior to eating, I knew that despite my lack of desire, I at least needed to honor my pledge. So I picked up my bible and read II Corinthians 3.
Paul's argument that through the Holy Spirit, there is freedom was just what I needed to hear. I closed my bible and began to freely pour out my troubles to God. I openly listed each issue that was weighing so heavily on my heart, asking God for a miracle in that area of my life.
Beyond the current financial strains, the relationship issues, the fear of the future (as it pertains to ensuring I can provide for my family while pursuing my dream); I was also somewhat concerned about what to write today. Earlier in the week I had heard God tell me I needed to get back to writing regularly, and took that to mean I should blog daily as well as read His word and pray. So during my prayer time this morning I was also asking God what I should write.
The amazing thing was I could "hear" God talking back to me. There was a point as I prayed that I realized I was doing a lot of talking and very little listening. At that moment, I sensed it was a message from God and in my prayer said, "OK God, I want to listen," and I stopped praying and began to listen.
In that moment, old gospel hymns began to fill my mind. The first was the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" and then I continued to hear song after song about Jesus. "Jesus Saves" was followed by "Jesus Loves Me" and then "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." The message was clear; focus on Jesus, and the everything else will no longer be as significant.
For a moment I had peace and thanked God for His message to me. And then a miracle happened; I fell asleep. This is a miracle because I have not been sleeping well the past several weeks. I sleep an hour, am awake a few hours, and then sleep an hour again. I repeat this pattern each night until my lovely bride wakes up to go to work. It was a pattern I had repeated again last night. So this morning, at 8:30 am, after reading II Corinthians 3 and praying for a few minutes, God interrupted me, gave me a great message that the priority in my life should be His son, and then gave me rest.
Are you listening when God speaks in your life? What message has He given you and what are you doing with that message?
Paul's argument that through the Holy Spirit, there is freedom was just what I needed to hear. I closed my bible and began to freely pour out my troubles to God. I openly listed each issue that was weighing so heavily on my heart, asking God for a miracle in that area of my life.
Beyond the current financial strains, the relationship issues, the fear of the future (as it pertains to ensuring I can provide for my family while pursuing my dream); I was also somewhat concerned about what to write today. Earlier in the week I had heard God tell me I needed to get back to writing regularly, and took that to mean I should blog daily as well as read His word and pray. So during my prayer time this morning I was also asking God what I should write.
The amazing thing was I could "hear" God talking back to me. There was a point as I prayed that I realized I was doing a lot of talking and very little listening. At that moment, I sensed it was a message from God and in my prayer said, "OK God, I want to listen," and I stopped praying and began to listen.
In that moment, old gospel hymns began to fill my mind. The first was the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" and then I continued to hear song after song about Jesus. "Jesus Saves" was followed by "Jesus Loves Me" and then "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." The message was clear; focus on Jesus, and the everything else will no longer be as significant.
For a moment I had peace and thanked God for His message to me. And then a miracle happened; I fell asleep. This is a miracle because I have not been sleeping well the past several weeks. I sleep an hour, am awake a few hours, and then sleep an hour again. I repeat this pattern each night until my lovely bride wakes up to go to work. It was a pattern I had repeated again last night. So this morning, at 8:30 am, after reading II Corinthians 3 and praying for a few minutes, God interrupted me, gave me a great message that the priority in my life should be His son, and then gave me rest.
Are you listening when God speaks in your life? What message has He given you and what are you doing with that message?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Two Different Approaches
Yesterday I became aware of two different approaches to treating people by Christians that I simply could not pass up the opportunity to share here today. It all started during my prayer time yesterday morning. During my quiet time with God, I sensed Him telling me I needed to return to my writing.
So I wrote my first blog of 2010, on June 30th, exactly half way into the year. And then I began a quest to read other writers, to peruse other blogs, to see what the world was discussing. I found the first of what I'm calling "Two Different Approaches" through a link on Twitter. A friend on Twitter had linked to the following website: http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hugged-man-in-his-underwear-and-i-am.html. It was a story about some Christians who wore "I'm Sorry" t-shirts to a gay pride parade in Chicago. Along with the t-shirts, they carried hand written signs apologizing to the gay community for the way churches and Christians have showered the gay community with hate. The resulting healing that was started was amazing. I recommend each of you read the blog entry and then consider how you can find ways to also begin the process of reconciliation in your community.
I immediately sent the link to my lovely bride because I was so moved by the power of this simply act. Yes, it cost little financially, but it offered so much spiritually and emotionally; both to those who needed to hear the message of love Jesus truly offers, and to those who were offering the "olive branch." I am motivated to be a better Christ follower when I read stories like this; stories of true Christianity in action.
Later in the day, as my bride and I were sitting on our back porch, eating ice cream, talking, and looking at fireflies and stars, I heard the story of the second approach; unfortunately the all too common approach. A nationally syndicated radio host was responding to an email.
Now I cannot truly confirm this host is a Christian. While reading through the website this morning I found a section dedicated to providing the company's solutions to churches, and the corporate mission statement says: "... providing biblically based, common-sense education and empowerment which gives HOPE to everyone ...." However, I could not find sufficient definitive proof on the website to truly say the host himself is a committed Christ follower.
Yet, because churches across the county use the system developed by this company, because many of the principles included in the process are truly bibically based, my wife (and many others I would assume) believe this host is a Christian. So as she was listening to his response to an email while driving to the store to pick up the ice cream we were about to enjoy on the back porch last night (and yes, we had a coupon for the ice cream) she became offended by his response. The question was from a woman who did not agree with her husband's financial choice and she wanted some help.
The response, however was where it all broke down. My wife said the host started mocking the husband, calling him a "loser" in a patronizing tone of voice. He didn't stop there, he continued by saying when you told you father you were going to marry this guy, the sigh you heard escape from his lips was your father calling him a "loser." The host continued to say "loser" still using a condescending tone in his voice as he said the word, repeating it four or more times before my wife turned her radio off, unable to listen to another word.
Again, I cannot confirm this host is a committed Christ follower. I do not listen enough to know his heart. But I do know his response last night, at least the portion my wife heard and relayed to me, was not in concert with a response Jesus would have made. This man's response last night was not uplifting, did not provide the wife, who was seeking help, with hope or ammunition for a strong debate with her husband. The response did not provide the wife with a means of honoring her husband, while also striving to help him grow in his understanding of financial responsibility.
Please do not hear me judging the radio show host with my words. To judge him would be a failure to follow Jesus' example and an act against my own writing. My intention as I wrote today was to offer a challenge; a challenge supported by the offering of "Two Different Approaches."
Do you call yourself a Christ follower? If so, how do your actions reflect Christ. As you touch people throughout your day, consider carefully how that interaction reflects the message of Jesus. Commit today to leave each encounter with the knowledge you have impacted your world positively for the gospel. That is how we carry the message of Jesus to a world in need.
So I wrote my first blog of 2010, on June 30th, exactly half way into the year. And then I began a quest to read other writers, to peruse other blogs, to see what the world was discussing. I found the first of what I'm calling "Two Different Approaches" through a link on Twitter. A friend on Twitter had linked to the following website: http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hugged-man-in-his-underwear-and-i-am.html. It was a story about some Christians who wore "I'm Sorry" t-shirts to a gay pride parade in Chicago. Along with the t-shirts, they carried hand written signs apologizing to the gay community for the way churches and Christians have showered the gay community with hate. The resulting healing that was started was amazing. I recommend each of you read the blog entry and then consider how you can find ways to also begin the process of reconciliation in your community.
I immediately sent the link to my lovely bride because I was so moved by the power of this simply act. Yes, it cost little financially, but it offered so much spiritually and emotionally; both to those who needed to hear the message of love Jesus truly offers, and to those who were offering the "olive branch." I am motivated to be a better Christ follower when I read stories like this; stories of true Christianity in action.
Later in the day, as my bride and I were sitting on our back porch, eating ice cream, talking, and looking at fireflies and stars, I heard the story of the second approach; unfortunately the all too common approach. A nationally syndicated radio host was responding to an email.
Now I cannot truly confirm this host is a Christian. While reading through the website this morning I found a section dedicated to providing the company's solutions to churches, and the corporate mission statement says: "... providing biblically based, common-sense education and empowerment which gives HOPE to everyone ...." However, I could not find sufficient definitive proof on the website to truly say the host himself is a committed Christ follower.
Yet, because churches across the county use the system developed by this company, because many of the principles included in the process are truly bibically based, my wife (and many others I would assume) believe this host is a Christian. So as she was listening to his response to an email while driving to the store to pick up the ice cream we were about to enjoy on the back porch last night (and yes, we had a coupon for the ice cream) she became offended by his response. The question was from a woman who did not agree with her husband's financial choice and she wanted some help.
The response, however was where it all broke down. My wife said the host started mocking the husband, calling him a "loser" in a patronizing tone of voice. He didn't stop there, he continued by saying when you told you father you were going to marry this guy, the sigh you heard escape from his lips was your father calling him a "loser." The host continued to say "loser" still using a condescending tone in his voice as he said the word, repeating it four or more times before my wife turned her radio off, unable to listen to another word.
Again, I cannot confirm this host is a committed Christ follower. I do not listen enough to know his heart. But I do know his response last night, at least the portion my wife heard and relayed to me, was not in concert with a response Jesus would have made. This man's response last night was not uplifting, did not provide the wife, who was seeking help, with hope or ammunition for a strong debate with her husband. The response did not provide the wife with a means of honoring her husband, while also striving to help him grow in his understanding of financial responsibility.
Please do not hear me judging the radio show host with my words. To judge him would be a failure to follow Jesus' example and an act against my own writing. My intention as I wrote today was to offer a challenge; a challenge supported by the offering of "Two Different Approaches."
Do you call yourself a Christ follower? If so, how do your actions reflect Christ. As you touch people throughout your day, consider carefully how that interaction reflects the message of Jesus. Commit today to leave each encounter with the knowledge you have impacted your world positively for the gospel. That is how we carry the message of Jesus to a world in need.
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