storiesofvalue

Kingdom Mardi Gras

It’s Mardi Gras, the night before the Lenten season. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, representing the practice of eating rich, fattening foods in preparation for a time of self-denial.

In recent years the practice of lent has attracted new participants seeking perspective in an age of indulgence. Mardi Gras too has surged in popularity since some people will use about anything as an excuse to party.

I understand the rationale for partying in preparation for a period of spiritual focus. I don’t embrace it, but I understand it.  And I wonder…

“What are we thinking?”

What are we thinking when we indulge before we deny? Possibly, we believe if we treat ourselves to more than we need it will be easier to live on less than we need.  Or perhaps the mere thought of self-denial ramps up our appetites.

I don’t mean to be critical of the basic concept of Mardi Gras, although I certainly have a problem with some forms of overindulgence. If overindulging helps you enter into a time of spiritual focus, more power to you.  I suppose it all balances out.

However, the thought process of Mardi Gras can be problematic. Some assume a season offered to God entitles one to a night of rebellion.  I am not talking about an extra piece of key-lime pie or a loaded buffet, but rather purposeful sinning.

I am not a legalistic, narrow-minded prude. At least I don’t think so.  Yet, I am heartbroken when Christian people view sin as a “right” because they have been living with an extraordinary load of stress.  Blowing off steam is one thing.  Willfully sinning is another.

Imagine John the Baptist telling Herod he would lighten up on his chatter about his adulterous affair if he was able to attend his party and watch Salome dance. What if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had gorged themselves with the king’s meat the day after they were found to be healthier for rejecting the same?  The list goes on, including Jesus’ obedience to His mission through his death on Calvary.

Not only do we not have a right to sin, but the belief sinning will help us not sin is flawed. It is a fabrication with no biblical proof.  In fact, the opposite is true.

Please realize, I am talking about sin, not every form of pleasure. If you have been working hard, reward yourself.  When the world presses against you, take a break.  I love a good party!

Just don’t think you have to make up for lost ground by sinning.

I have never actually celebrated Mardi Gras. Ok, I think I was in a restaurant once when there was a party going on.  I see no problem with the celebration, but only the idea something gives us an excuse to sin.

If you are giving something up for lent, I hope you find the focus and blessing you are searching for. And as of the time of my writing, you still have an hour and thirty minutes to grab a piece of key-lime pie.

I think I will.

Kingdom Shoe

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is playing in our area. You know the story.  A poor girl is abused by her step-mother and step-sisters until a handsome prince meets her at a ball and later rescues her from her circumstances.  Technically, Cinderella is the star of the show.  She is the one through whom we all live vicariously, waiting for that day when someone rescues us from our troubles and offers us the life of our dreams.

But there is another star that plays a prominent role in Cinderella. No, it isn’t the handsome prince.  In fact, it isn’t a “who.”  It is a “what.”

Meet the shoe.

As I am sure you know, Cinderella dropped her shoe at the ball and the prince used it to find her. We love the scene where the prince tries unsuccessfully to cram Cinderella’s shoe on her step-sisters’ big feet.  They try to make it fit, but it won’t.  How could it?  It isn’t their shoe.

I have been thinking about how God designs us for ministry and fits us in His Body. In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul addressed the subject of spiritual gifts and the tendency we have to rank our ministries by level of importance.  We commonly put the ministries others can see at the top of the list and the ones less visible at the bottom.  Paul pushes back on this value system when he writes, “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Corinthian 12:18)

It occurs to me, we can be like the evil step-sisters when we desperately try to fit our lives into the wrong shoe. The shoe hurts!  Do you suppose God chuckles?  For certain, the kingdom suffers.

Why do we try to wear the wrong shoes? Certainly, like the step-sisters, there is something attractive about places of prominence.  But we can also misinterpret God’s plan for our lives.  Perhaps you have known people who never find happiness because they fail to seek wise counsel, but continually try to live in someone else’s shoes.  Or they have too many shoes and can’t decide which ones to wear.

Finding the right fit in the Lord’s kingdom isn’t easy. I personally don’t believe there is always just one place God wants us to be.  He allows us to choose places of ministry that bring us fulfillment.  As long as we are living honorable lives while using the gifts God has given us, and we are bearing fruit for the kingdom, He is pleased.

This doesn’t mean there isn’t a “sweet spot” where we discern the perfect fit between our giftedness and God’s mission for our lives. But we don’t necessarily need to live in this place all the time, as long as we aren’t trying to cram an undersized shoe on our foot.

I suppose I could expand on this metaphor. Perhaps Jesus is our prince who chooses us for His purposes.  The wicked step-sisters might represent misguided believers that desires attention, but care little for the heart of the prince.  I will let you figure out were the Fairy Godmother fits.

We will probably all go through seasons in our lives when we sense we are in the wrong place at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing. Not only is this to be expected, but God can use these times to refine our vision and deepen our reliance on Him.

The danger of the shoe actually resides in our hearts, not our feet. Perhaps most of all, we must be willing to let the prince put us where He wants us to be.

Cinderella is a marvelous story! And you can be in it.

If the shoe fits.

Kingdom Caucus

The Iowa Caucus is less than a week away! For decades this unique event has given Americans their first indication of which candidates might win their party’s nomination in a presidential election year.  Citizens meet in numerous precinct caucuses throughout the state, and the results help define convention delegates.

Iowa Caucus meetings take place in schools, libraries, churches and homes. Unlike other primary elections, where steps are taken to protect voter confidentiality, caucus meetings promote open debate.  While different, the millions of dollars candidates invest in these gatherings are proof they matter.

As I listen to forecasts for the Iowa Caucus my mind turns to the church. I am not thinking of the church buildings where political parties meet, but rather the living representation of God’s kingdom, His Body on earth.  The church is the assembly of believers who come together with great frequency to celebrate their common grace in Jesus.

In this assembly there is healthy debate in matters of biblical interpretation and practical application.  Most call it “discussion”.  I am reminded of the Jews in Berea who, upon hearing the gospel of Jesus, “examined the scriptures every day to see is what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)  It must have been exciting for Paul to engage his Jewish brothers and sisters in a process that led them to believe, along with many Gentiles (Acts 17:12).

But here is where my analogy breaks down. Unlike the Iowa Caucus, there is one candidate, and one party in the church.  Jesus has already been crowned the Victor, and it is impossible to unseat Him.  This doesn’t mean there isn’t competition.  I suppose one could make the case there is a separate caucus for Satan.  If so, that assembly also has but one candidate, and he has already been declared the loser.  And no, it is not productive to draw a parallel between your political leanings and either of these camps!

When believers worship they are celebrating victory as both a future event and a present reality. Every weekend Christians around the world hold a global caucus, proclaiming Jesus as King.  They meet in church buildings, schools, storefronts and homes.  They share testimonies and model hope to their young.  Then they leave empowered to change the world as members of the Kingdom Caucus, the church triumphant.

Why aren’t the news outlets at church meetings reporting the latest? For the same reason they wouldn’t bother traveling to Iowa if the same presidential candidate was chosen every four years.  Nothing has changed.  When the church gathers, it celebrates the One who was, is and is to come.  He is the undisputed Winner, and we are His citizens.

I am anxious to see which candidates come out on top through the Iowa Caucus. Yet, victory in this case is just an indication.   In contrast, Jesus’ victory is validation of things to come.  There will be no recounts of hanging chads.

Better get ready for the inauguration. I hear its going to be quite a day!

Kingdom NFL

 Ok, so maybe you aren’t a professional football fan. Stick with me here.

In case you don’t know the teams included in this year’s NFL playoffs, they are the Arizona Cardinals (13-3), the Carolina Panthers (15-1), the New England Patriots (12-4), and the Denver Broncos (12-4). The Cardinals will play the Panthers and the Patriots will play the Broncos for a place in this year’s Super Bowl.  At the time I am writing, the Patriots and Panthers are favored among betters.  I don’t bet on sports, but I suspect those who do know what they are talking about.

A playoff series determines the best team in NFL football. The payoff is huge for the winners and the money spent by fans and advertisers is astronomical.

What does NFL football have to do with the Kingdom of God? Could it be God has a favorite team?  I know followers of Jesus who pull for a team because a star player is a Christian.  Although they may not believe their player’s team will win because he is a believer, they at least hope for victory because it can  provide a stage for the gospel.

Are you still with me?

Here is why I believe NFL football is a kingdom issue: the whole world is watching! Last year’s game posted a record U.S. audience with 114.4 viewers.  The Super Bowl matters to Americans, and anything that matters this much to people is an opportunity to share our faith.

This doesn’t mean we should be reckless in our approach. As a preacher, I would be foolish to support a team because I think they exhibit the most Christ-like behavior.  With my luck someone on the team would commit the unsportsmanlike sin of the ages, or react to a fan with a flagrant vulgarity.

Besides, I am a Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan and they finished the season 6-10. So you won’t see me waving any Super Bowl flags  anytime soon.

But I do think there are some things followers of Jesus can do to share their faith while over 100 million people’s attention is focused in one direction. Here are a few ideas:

Look for stories that catch professional football players of faith doing something right. Be sure to remember there are a lot of non-Christian players who share their lives in sacrifice to others.  Yet, believers in professional sports are known to share in some incredible ministries that bless the lives of others.  Do some internet searches on championship players and research their contributions to society.  Then share their stories with others.

Use the Super Bowl as an opportunity to build relationships with others.  Accept an invitation to a Super Bowl party or host one of your own.  Keep an open mind, as some people’s idea of a party might be a little wilder than you anticipated.  Be yourself, but be a friend.  You don’t have to talk about Jesus.  Your presence will speak volumes, especially if others know you are a believer.

Identify with other people’s fanaticism.  If you aren’t already aware, for true fans, a football game is a spiritual experience and their favorite team is a like the twelve apostles.  Alright, I know there are only eleven men on a football team, but let’s say Judas got caught selling team secrets and was kicked out of the locker room.  I am not saying the worship of a football team is necessarily a good thing.  I am only suggesting the way to a fan’s heart is through his team logo.  Talk to co-workers and neighbors about their favorite team and buy them something that represents their team.  Don’t do it as a way of purchasing time to share the gospel: “Now that I have given you a woolen hat with your team’s logo can you give me 10 minutes to share the plan of salvation?”  Please don’t!  Pray for an opportunity to share and God will provide.

There are many other ways to let Jesus speak through you as we near the Super Bowl. But then, this season in sports is really no different from any other, or any other interest in another person’s life.  We start with a burning desire to see people come to Jesus and then we work on being a friend so God can work through us.  We don’t show friendship just to win others to Jesus.  Instead, because we know people need Jesus we become their friend.  Then we pray, watch and wait.

What are the odds someone might come to know Jesus this year through the NFL playoffs? I don’t know.  But if I were a betting man, I would say there is a Super Bowl party somewhere that is going to make an eternal difference.

Oh, and go Bucs!

Kingdom State

Have you ever wondered what a “State of the Kingdom” speech would look like? Who would make it?  Who would come?  Where would it take place?

I suspect a well-known church leader or Christian author would make the speech.  The room, a large church auditorium, would be filled with representatives from various church movements. The male leaders with shaved heads and goatees would sit on one side of the room and those with big hair and jewelry on the other.  Women leaders would sit randomly throughout the crowd to keep things classy.

What would the speaker say? “The state of the Kingdom is strong!” The entire auditorium would erupt with applause as a portion of the group would raise their hands and shout “Hallelujah” while the rest would hold their arms calmly to their side and whisper, “Amen.”

But does saying it make it so?

No.  In fact, the real issue is how we define “strong.”

There is no question the church in the fourth century was strong, from a financial and political perspective. In 313 AD Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, giving Christians the freedom to practice their faith without persecution.  The same Emperor gave land to the church, financed church buildings, and gave preferential treatment to the clergy.

However, some argue the favor the church received from Constantine signaled a season of weakening. Ministry positions became lucrative and the servant-minded hearts that typified service to the Kingdom lost ground to big egos and greed.  Eventually, these developments corrupted the church,

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. His statements exposed false doctrines and troublesome practices of the Roman church, spurring on the Reformation.  This was a period of great dissention.  Reformers and their adherents were oppressed and sometimes tortured and killed for their convictions. Reformers also committed heinous acts directed at the Roman church.  Believer on believer violence is certainly not a sign of spiritual strength.  But the Reformation brought new life to the mission of the church.  So in many ways state of the Kingdom was strong.

And so it has been even to our present day. Success in the church breeds corruption and corruption stirs the hearts of believers to redeem the mission of Christ.  This is not an indictment against success or a validation for reform. Instead it proves, when it comes to the church, the state of the Kingdom is difficult to measure in human terms.

Perhaps we shouldn’t try. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).  No biblical writer ever suggested Kingdom strength is a result of human endeavor.  We didn’t write the plan of redemption woven through scripture.  We didn’t orchestrate Jesus’ payment for our sins or His triumph over death.  And the birth of the church wasn’t our doing.  The Apostles gathered with other believers to wait on God, and He moved.

Perhaps we should say, “The state of the Kingdom has always been strong.” That is, the strength of God has always been apparent in His church when His people have put His will above their own.

This brings us to the one question we might be qualified to answer. “How strong is the Kingdom within us?”  How much of our hearts have we yielded to God’s will?  Is the church a vehicle for our purposes or are we a vessel for Christ?

We don’t need a platform or a well-written speech to proclaim the state of the Kingdom in us. Our life is our testimony and our impact on others is our dissertation.

Don’t worry if you don’t feel particularly strong or influential.  Instead, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Kingdom Gun Control

Alright, just to confirm: there were no guns in the Bible. Well, there is that verse on baptism which an old preacher I once knew referred to as our “Acts 2:38s.”  But apart from this incredibly bad joke, you won’t find any firearms in God’s Word.  You will find David’s sling, Peter’s sword, a soldier’s spear and rocks for stoning.  But no guns.

It seems if people wanted to kill one another during the years the Bible was written, they found a way.  And when governments needed to execute criminals and rebels they threw them in the lion’s den, tossed them in a fiery furnace or crucified them for all to see.

Just for the record, ancient history is full of mass killings, but they were usually pulled off by an army or a sadistic leader with plenty of resources. If you don’t believe me perform an internet search for “Genghis Khan.”  The one standout, perhaps, is Sampson of the Old Testament who once killed 1,000 men with the “jawbone of an ass.”  It’s ok.  This is the King James Version wording which was very popular in my Sunday School class when I was thirteen.

Incidentally, when I was thirteen I also had a firearm. It seems unimaginable now, but my cousin and I frequently hunted along a roadside fence in a small town in Kentucky.  On occasion, we stopped at Mary Flannery’s store, unloaded our guns and carried them inside to warm up by the stove.  When we stepped outside we would pop our shotgun shells back into our guns and walk down another fence-row in hopes of jumping a rabbit.

I do not intend to enter the debate on government gun control here.  I must admit, it is hard for me to think about controlling something that was a normal part of our lives as kids.  On the other hand, I know a fence-row in a small town in Kentucky is a long way from a turf war in the inner city.  I must also admit there have been seismic shifts in the moral fiber of our country in the past forty-five years.

What I can say, unreservedly, is that the root problem is not guns. Gun violence is a symptom of a much more serious problem in our culture.  We have differing opinions as to how we should treat the symptom, but we cannot ignore the fact gun violence is a heart issue.

Violence has always been a heart issue, and the poor moral state of a society only increases the possibility more innocent people will be hurt.  James once wrote, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:1-4)

According to James, we are never going to solve any kind of violence in our world by just focusing on external factors. The battle lies within, and the main cause is our adversarial posture toward God.

This gives me hope as a believer. I respect the right we all have to form an opinion on government gun control.  Yet, if we know the Lord, I believe there is only one strategy for kingdom gun control.  We must help people find the One who can transform them from the inside out.  Once they are clothed with Christ they begin to bring every word and action under His Lordship.

I am not so naïve to think everyone who claims Jesus as Savior can be trusted with a gun. No one needs to remind me of extremists who have murdered innocent people in the name of God.  Nor do I wish to suggest non-believers cannot be trusted with a gun.  While I want every law-enforcement officer in my town to know the Lord, I don’t have any less confidence in them if they don’t.

All I am saying is, the one thing we can all do as Christians to stem gun violence is step up the intensity of our mission. People need Jesus.  If violent people come to know Jesus as He really is, and receive Him as Lord, the process of regeneration will begin to change them.  Followers of Jesus will still commit violent crimes, but grace can change them if they remain open to the Holy Spirit’s work.  I have heard too many powerful testimonies from believers who have left a violent past to think differently.

Follow your heart and best wisdom when it comes to government gun control. But when it comes to seeking the ultimate solution to violence follow Jesus, and lead as many people as possible to do the same.

Kingdom Commercialism

Christmas craziness is back. Ok, so maybe it never went away.  However, as we emerge from financial doldrums as a country, the shopping center parking lots are full again.  I don’t know if this means people are buying more or more people are buying less, but regardless of the bottom line commerce is flowing.

It could just be my imagination, but it also appears merchants are talking a lot more about Christmas. I have never understood why the ones who actually created Christmas as we know it would want to do otherwise.  Why would store owners downplay the motif that puts them in the black?

Please don’t think I am portraying the commercial side of Christmas as a machine that only seeks to exploit Jesus and His followers. Yes, this occurs.  But some of the store owners who wish me a Merry Christmas truly love the Lord, and look for ways to let Him shine through them in the midst of our buying frenzy.

I simply wish to point out there are pros and cons to the ebb and flow of the great American Christmas. On the down side, there are those who want to diminish the place of Christmas in our culture.  In so doing, they hope to drive the message of Jesus out of the mainstream and redefine the manger as a religious relic that belongs to a marginalized sub-group.  On the other hand, when Christmas excels as a holiday, we worry the message of Jesus is getting lost in the tinsel and trim.

On the positive side, the suggested “war on Christmas” forces those of us who follow Jesus to assess why we celebrate, and to reflect on why we feel threatened by the decisions businesses make. And, of course, when Christmas is in vogue, we have more opportunities to celebrate.

The jury is out in my mind as to whether the commercial success of Christmas is a good thing or a bad thing for the kingdom. Yet, I think I know where the answer lies.

Commerce, like many things in our culture, is just a backdrop. God’s people are versatile, especially when it comes to Christmas.  Anyone can celebrate Christmas, regardless of geographic location, financial status, or political circumstance.  Perhaps you have heard stories of political prisoners who found a way to remember Jesus’ birth without inciting their captors.  On the other end of the spectrum, Busch Gardens Williamsburg recently had to close its gates when their park reached capacity and roads leading to the entrance were gridlocked.

Ultimately, it isn’t the environment that determines whether or not we are celebrating Christmas as we should. Instead, the hope of Christ at Christmas resides in our hearts.  Our joy will find a means of expression regardless of our circumstances or opportunities.

I want to encourage you to guard your heart against the ups and downs of Christmas. While I understand we are frustrated when people take away our traditions in the name of political correctness, this should not lead us to despair.  What matters most is the love of Jesus that pours out of our lives on a daily basis, now and throughout the year.  When our heart is right, Christ is seen, and Christmas is honored.

This is the goal, after all. We want Christ to be seen.  If commercialism draws attention to the season, it can be a good thing.  But if we, as the Lord’s people allow the season to replace the Savior that is a bad thing.

For now, be careful out there. Christmas is back!

Jesus, save us from our own success.

Kingdom Refugee

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a refugee? Imagine being told you and your family had 24 hours to vacate your home or face death.  On your way out of town you turned to take one last look at the only life you had ever known, realizing you may never return.  Your attention quickly turned to daily survival in an attempt to protect your family from the dangers that awaited them on the long and uncertain road ahead.

Our world is facing a refugee crisis. Some have left their homes under the circumstances I have just described.  Others have fled on their own, hoping to escape the ravages of war or the bondage of political oppression.  We hurt for them.  Yet, at the same time, we worry.

We worry because we recognize the refugee crisis is an opportunity for those who seek to harm others. On one hand we are moved to tears when we see videos of hungry families trudging through a wilderness in search of a better life.  But on the other hand, we are afraid of the opportunists.

Therefore, we search our souls. We know Jesus commanded us to care for strangers who are hungry and thirsty. The Bible tells us to love our enemies and to trust God to use our generosity for His glory.  We think about some of the great servants of God with refugee status.  King David was forced into exile when his son Absalom usurped his throne.  The prophet Elijah was hunted down by Ahab and Jezebel, and he sought refuge by a brook, and later in the home of a widow.

Jesus was the most famous of all refugees. After His birth, an angel told Joseph to flee Judea to escape King Herod.  Joseph, Mary and Jesus escaped to Egypt where they stayed until circumstances permitted them to return.  What did they do in Egypt?  Where did they live?  Did Joseph open up a carpentry shop to feed his family?  Was Jesus’ family ostracized and bullied?  I am sure it was difficult.

The refugee crisis creates some real dilemmas for refugees and the countries they seek to enter. It would probably do all of us some good to spend a few days on the front lines. It is hard to comprehend the desperation and fear that exists there.

So what do we do? What should Christians be doing to help refugees, and how do we show the compassion of Jesus while recognizing some of the real concerns associated with a crisis of this magnitude?  Consider these possibilities:

Put down the remote.  Ok, so you can still channel surf, but realize a refugee isn’t an actor on a television drama.  The people on our screen on the evening news are flesh and blood.  They are fathers, mothers and children who are experiencing real tragedy in their lives.  They have seen their dreams shattered and they are scared to death!  It is very hard for us to relate to the suffering of refugees as our car idles in line at our favorite fast-food restaurant.  Therefore, we must ask God to help us remember the people on our TV screen are made in His image and are no different from us.

Help in tangible ways.   The world is full of scams that use other people’s pain as a vehicle for personal gain.  However, there are some reputable organizations that reach out to refugees in the name of Christ.  Check with your local church leadership for guidance, or look online.  Be sure to cross-reference your interests with watchdog groups that evaluate charitable organizations.

Love your neighbor.  When refugees come to our country they are weary and frightened.  They don’t always speak our language, understand our laws, or comprehend the nuances of political freedom.  They need love.  It is hard to love someone who may not know how to love us back.  Refugees probably aren’t going to hang out at our house for a night of wings and football.  They are too busy working multiple jobs and managing their transitions to socialize.  We still love them through kind acts and expressions, and whenever possible we let them know God loves them too.

Show them Jesus.  Refugees bring their faith with them, or the lack thereof.  They also bring their disillusionment with those who have used religion as a vehicle to hurt others and to take advantage of their circumstances.  Certainly, some come with hate in their hearts, and preconceived beliefs regarding Jesus and His followers.  We can’t understand everything going on in a refugee’s heart, but we know people can change.  If we believe Jesus is the light of the world, and that His truth can bring order out of chaos, then we must be convinced our witness matters.  It matters to everyone, and especially to people who come to our shores confused and broken-hearted.  They must see Jesus in every aspect of our lives that they might one day come to know Him.

Now for a disclosure: I am writing these things from an armchair. While I have ministered to a few refugees in my community, my contribution has been minimal.  I have not been in a war-torn country, and I have not served food in a way station to families fleeing political oppression.  I have had a few conversations with Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, but our conversations have been shallow and casual.

But this will change, not because I have decided to become more conscious of the challenge, but because the world is coming to our door. Our hypotheticals are becoming reality and our “what if” will soon become “what now?”

It is time to think about what God is calling us to do. Indeed, He has already called us.  We must now decide how we are going to answer.

Kingdom Equilibrium

Take a deep breath.  Our culture is shifting.  I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am on a large ocean vessel doing its best to zigzag through a hurricane.  The navigation instruments are going crazy and the ship’s rudder is straining against the raging waves.  Those of us aboard shout over the bellows and hang on for dear life.  Will we survive the raging sea?

I speak, of course, of recent violence as well as the national dialogue in its wake.  Perhaps it is a perfect storm: world unrest, terrorism, moral decay, social media and a presidential election year.

One thing is for certain.  We can no longer say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe.”  In recent years we have coddled the idea we are all going to the same place and one religion is the same as another.  Apart from the obvious factual flaws in this argument, we must now say it matters very much what one believes.  World terrorism uses destructive weapons of war, but it is rooted in ideology.

In all of this, Christians work to find their voice, and it is far from unified.  I am certain you are aware that the subjects of refugees, pluralism and guns evoke opposing views among believers.  Since it is our hope God will bless our nation, these discussions cross over into politics, the constitution and our rights as citizens.  Do you feel the swells beneath us?

I will not debate these issues here, though I have my personal convictions.  Rather, I wish to remind us, as Christians, our freedoms must be tempered by a higher authority.

We are accountable to God for our words and actions.  This doesn’t mean we are sinning when we express strong opinions.  On the contrary, we might be sinning if we fail to speak the truth.  Yet, we must ask God to help us season our words and guard our actions so we don’t unwittingly lose the war for people’s hearts in the process of fighting the battle.  Perhaps you remember this piece of advice from Peter to first century Christian slaves: “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” (1 Peter 2:20)  We must sincerely seek goodness, truth and justice, and strive to follow the will of God in everything.

We represent the mission of the church.  I am aware there are different philosophies regarding the role of the church in the public discourse.  Martin Luther King Jr. led the civil rights movement as an agent of the church.  During the Holocaust, courageous leaders in the church stood up to Hitler and risked their lives to save their Jewish neighbors.  I am not certain where we lose the high moral ground, but I know when we allow ourselves to be driven by hate, and we forget the inherent value of every living soul, we are no better than those who do evil.  The mission of the church is to redeem mankind through the good news of a Savior who gave His life for all sinners.  If we care less about those for whom He died than He did, we have crossed a dangerous line.

I leave you with this word of encouragement: God’s idea of kingdom trumps every other human ideology.  His kingdom isn’t just about principles and practice.  It is eternal.  It is the only power that storms the gates of Hell and sets the captive free.

The pure light of God pierces every dark place and exposes every wicked deed.  Let’s not allow our world to capsize us.  God is our strength, Christ is our anchor and the Holy Spirit is our guide.

We will survive the tempest if we hold on tight.

Kingdom Blockbuster

On December 18th “The Force Awakens.”  Fans will flock to theaters to see the newest Star Wars film.  The first Star Wars movie was released when Jane and I were college students.  Since then, both of our children have graduated from college, we have our first grandchild, and Star Wars is as popular as ever.

We call big movies “blockbusters.”  Out of curiosity, I researched the meaning of a “blockbuster” and was surprised at what I found.  If you served in World War II you probably already know.  A blockbuster was a huge bomb capable of taking out a whole city block.  I couldn’t help but wonder what someone at that time would think of our use of the term.  A bomb capable of taking out an entire city block seems much different from a great movie everyone wants to go see.  If we were faced with the first, we would knock each other over trying to escape.  Now we knock each other over to be the first to arrive at a blockbuster.

I have been thinking about some famous kingdom blockbusters.  The general definition of a blockbuster is something that is highly successful, and often expensive.  Several events came to mind.  There was the flood that destroyed mankind, save Noah and his family.  That was big!  It was also horrible for the wicked.  Then there was the Exodus, when over a million Hebrew children left Egypt after more than four hundred years of oppression.  And yes, the movie “The Ten Commandments,” which depicted the plagues of Egypt and the Exodus, crossed over to the Hollywood kind of blockbuster.

I could add several examples to this list, but I should make my point: sometimes people ran away from God’s blockbusters and sometimes they rushed to be in them.  This doesn’t mean everything big God has done in history has been safe.  Thousands of people were washed clean by Jesus and joined with the church in its early days, but by doing so they put themselves in grave danger.  Strangely, though, the early persecution of Christians only fired them up and made the first disciples more determined than ever to share the good news of Jesus with the world.

The same thing will be true when God brings history as we know it to a close.  Some will want to run away from God’s wrath, and others will want to run into His presence.  It will all depend on whether one is an enemy or friend of God.

The cross is the biggest blockbuster of all time!  I hope you don’t mind me using this term in conjunction with our Lord’s suffering.  The cross turned the universe upside down and changed the course of history.  Sin was dealt a fatal blow, and three days later death followed.  Jesus’ resurrection brought down Satan’s empire.  It was big.  Really big!  Blockbusters in the 40s took out city blocks.  The cross crushed the head of Satan and served notice to his evil entourage its day was coming.

I don’t know how many years will pass before the end of human history.  I’m not really worried, to be honest, with the exception of my concern for those who need to know Jesus before that day comes.  I hope you aren’t afraid of the last day.  Remember, all of God’s blockbusters have been a blessing for those who have chosen to walk with Him.

So give your life wholeheartedly to the purpose and plan of God and don’t fear tomorrow.  I can tell you now, whatever He does is going to be really big!

And big is a good thing, as long as one is on the right side.