storiesofvalue

Kingdom Nation

Are we a Christian nation?

Yikes!  Why would I ask such a controversial question, and especially during a week when we are pausing as a nation to thank God for our blessings?  Before I explain myself let me define our beginning as the day the U.S. Constitution was signed (but not ratified) in September of 1787.

You may know there are those who say we have never been a Christian nation.  This line of reasoning ranges from an analysis of the deistic beliefs of some of our forefathers to the immoral behavior of some who claimed Christ as their Savior.  It also involves the philosophical question of whether a nation’s religious nature should be interpreted through the filter of its constitution alone, or those who framed it.  Certainly, the U.S. Constitution’s verbiage is paradoxical in this regard since the very document that insures religious liberty gives people the right to reject the fundamental presuppositions of many of its authors.

There are those who say we began as a Christian nation, but have digressed. They point to the faith of our forefathers, and the obvious reflection of biblical principles sprinkled throughout the Constitution.  Were some of those who claimed affiliation with the church less than Christian in their words and actions?  Yes.  But the failure of individuals to live up to their religious claims doesn’t necessarily nullify their faith, no more than any believer of any generation can be held to perfection.

Personally, I am of the conviction our country was framed by Christian principles, and set in motion by a critical mass of Christ followers.  It is true that many of our forefathers were influenced by the Enlightenment.  It is also true some of their choices, such as human slave trade, are a blemish on our collective record.  But denying one’s roots, just because the plant hasn’t always produced good fruit is like trying to ignore a family resemblance.  We are as we are because of who we are, and we are who we are because of where we came from.

In light of this, perhaps another question is in order: “Did the framers of our constitution seek to create a Christian nation?”  This question is harder to answer because, while we read about the faith of these authors, it is difficult to discern their motives.  These brilliant individuals most certainly wanted our country to reflect the biblical values they held dear (sometimes referred to as Judeo-Christian ideals), such as justice, equality and personal freedom.  But it is doubtful their goal was a religious state.

Instead, we might say biblical values have been at the heart of all great movements to elevate mankind.  Even the Enlightenment, which has paved the way for modern attacks on Christianity, was ironically grounded in biblical truths.  Scientific discovery presumed the order of the universe and philosophy proclaimed self-determination.  Both of these disciplines indicate the presence of a Living God, such as the One described in the Bible.

So where are we now?  Are we a Christian nation?  It is hard to say with complete accuracy.  Christ’s followers have technically lost ground to pluralism and secularism, but this doesn’t tell the whole story.  We are still a nation that functions with Christian principles.  Many of the important institutions begun by followers of Jesus still influence every facet of our nation.  Today, on Thanksgiving Day, The Salvation Army will feed the hungry.  Hospitals, started by religious orders and church denominations will be open to treat the sick.  Church ministries will open their doors to the homeless.

There are also some ways in which we are more of a Christian nation than ever before.  There was a time when people affiliated with a church because it was what socially conscious people did.  Now some of the fat has been trimmed from the kingdom and those who walk in Jesus’ steps are more likely to have a sincere faith.  This helps explain the popularity of parachurch organizations, and church ministries that interact with local neighborhoods.  Believers who are serious about their faith want to make a difference in the world.

By now you might be saying, “Larry, you are living in a dream world.  The research clearly shows Christians are losing ground to secularism and pluralism.  If we were ever a Christian nation, we certainly can’t claim to be now.”

I get it.  I believe in data, and I realize unless we are honest about the spiritual climate of our nation we won’t have the sense of urgency so vital for the days ahead.

On the other hand, there is something to be said for being careful we don’t unwittingly contribute to the problem with a losing mentality.  I believe the hearts of others often turn on the signals we send.  The reason some of God’s greatest leaders in the biblical record were able to restore the faint of heart is because they stood tall in the face of skeptics.  I am not saying people don’t need tangible truth to support their faith.  But the fact is people who are afraid and discouraged will follow the gloomy predictions of a godless world unless those who have experienced victory in Jesus share a better story.

Whether we are, or ever were a Christian nation isn’t the issue.  What is more vital is the way we, as Christians, live out our faith in our nation.  When we do this well, the nature of our nation becomes somewhat irrelevant for those who hear and see the grace of Jesus in our lives.

What kind of nation are you going to be?

Kingdom Fear

A few days ago terror struck again.  At least 129 innocent people were killed when three teams of terrorists launched six separate attacks in Paris.  Many more were injured; some critically.  This morning another evil act is unfolding in Mali.  How should Christians respond?

They should pray for justice. There is nothing ungodly about bringing murderers to justice.  In Genesis 9:6, the Lord told Noah, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” (Gen 9:6).  In the book of Romans, believers are encouraged to be subject to governing authorities, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.” (Romans 13:3).  Clearly, there is a place for justice in punishing evil-doers, and God empowers those in authority to hold criminals accountable.  Vengeance belongs to the Lord, but justice is a God-given responsibility.

They should weep for the innocent. The events in Paris claimed the lives of someone’s parent.  They robbed parents of their children, and husbands and wives of their soul mates.  Christians should pray for everyone who lost a loved one, and those who are suffering from life-altering injuries.  If possible, they should look for tangible ways to help those in need.

They should not desire a repayment of evil with evil. Justice brings peace, but evil breeds more evil.  It is hard to discern the differences between justice, vengeance and evil.  This is especially true when we are overcome with anger over the heartless actions of killers.  Justice is exacted within the context of law and order.   Vengeance belongs to the Lord because He alone knows the complete truth behind evil acts.  And evil is never an appropriate response to evil.  The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17)  The best response to evil is a calculated and systematic one based on law.  The most damaging response is one made without discernment in a moment of anger.

They should pray for the world. Innocent victims matter to God.  And believe it or not, even evil-doers matter to God.  If you don’t believe me consider the case of the Apostle Paul who spent his days killing Christians before his life was changed.  It took a while for the church to warm up to Paul after his conversion, but with the help of a man named Barnabas, people embraced his transformation.  It is possible to pray for justice and the salvation of those who do evil at the same time.  Spiritual salvation doesn’t necessarily relieve criminals of their debt to society.  But it will prepare them for eternity, and it has the power to turn them from greater evil.

They should fear God, not terrorists.  Please don’t misunderstand.  In a dangerous world we must remain diligent and do our best to avoid becoming a victim.  Terrorists can destroy our lives and bring unimaginable anguish to families and communities.  Yet, Jesus once said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)  If we fall into a terrorists trap we could lose our lives, but if we dishonor God by becoming just as bitter and hateful as the people who seek to hurt us we could lose our souls.

Therefore, kingdom fear has its place.  The writer of Hebrews wrote, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)  Proverbs 9:10 reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)  We must respond to terrorism for the sake of civility, and for the welfare of our loved ones.  But in everything we should honor God.  On the last day we will stand before God, not a terrorist.

For this reason, I am not afraid of the future.  How about you?

Kingdom Veterans

Today is Veteran’s Day, and we pause to thank those who have served in America’s military. If you are included in this group, thank you.  Your sacrifice is always on my mind.  When I vote at the polls, gather with my church family to worship, or merely drive unmolested through a state border I reflect on how these simple moments are matters of life and death for millions of people around the world.  It is hard not to take freedom for granted, unless we have seen the other side.  Thank a veteran today, and if you know someone who is still healing from the wounds of battle, physically, emotionally or otherwise, hold them tight and tell them you love them.

This special day led me to think about “kingdom veterans.” The word “veteran” means “old” and we use it to classify those who have served for many years, and perhaps continue to serve.

A few days ago, a special servant in our church turned 92. Her name is Evelyn and throughout the course of her life she has served wherever and whenever she was needed.  Her passion for the mission of the church hasn’t waned.

Sometimes servants in the church are veterans of ministries they no longer perform. When my grandmother stepped down from playing the organ in her church she was honored for many years of service.  She was placed on active reserve and occasionally came out of retirement as a substitute.  But she was no longer the organist, so I guess in that sense she was a veteran.

There are long-time servants in the church who continue to do what they have done all of their lives. I know some children’s Sunday School teachers who have battled cancer and heart disease, are well into their retirement years, but continue to teach.  They trudge through rain, sleet and snow to make sure they are ready for the children God is sending to their classroom.

I don’t know if I would consider myself a veteran, but I’m definitely not a fresh recruit. For the first time in my life I am able to reflect some on what it feels like to be an “old-timer” and what makes me feel affirmed in my service to the kingdom.  Obviously, we all like to be recognized for our service because it reminds us we have made a difference in people’s lives. But I have discovered the accolades others give us are just a surface reflection of some things that matter even more.

For example, stories matter to kingdom veterans.  Several years ago I attended a mission event where our son was being commissioned for an overseas ministry.  I found myself at a table with a man who had taught my Sunday School class as a young teenager.  I hadn’t seen him in years.  When he heard my story and realized one of the young men being commissioned for mission work that evening was my son, he wept.  It is possible he wept because seeing me reminded him of the great pain I brought into his life as a teacher.  However, I suspect his emotions were a result of the story God had told him about a squirrely kid who turned into a decent human being after all.

One of the best things we can do for kingdom veterans is tell them our story. If you have those who have ministered to you in the past, let them know how God has directed your steps and how their example helped you find your way.

Challenges matter to kingdom veterans.  People who have given their lives to the mission of the church don’t want to be put out to pasture.  They want to feel useful.  It is highly possible they are the kinds of people who are energized by a good challenge, and although we all have to be realistic about our capabilities as we age, we still want to be productive for the kingdom.  This means one of the best ways we can show a kingdom veteran we love them is to help them continue to find a way to be involved in what the Lord is doing in His church.

Finally, encouragement matters to a kingdom veteran.  Veterans get tired and even kingdom veterans carry wounds around in their lives.  I know some servants who still break down when they talk about tragedies in their past, but they have continued to allow God to use their experiences for His glory.  They don’t mind sharing their experiences with others who are hurting.  We take veterans of all kinds for granted because they carry themselves with confidence.  Never forget we are all human, and a small word of encouragement goes a long way on a day when someone is battling the demons of the past.

We want to honor our military veterans today, and I don’t mean to diminish their day by using them as a metaphor for servants in the church. Perhaps we might say veterans in any field need to hear our stories, be reminded they are useful, and hear an encouraging word now and then.

And so from this kingdom veteran to my military veteran friends, my story has only been possible because of your sacrifice. Thank you for continuing to serve and for always looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of others.  I love and appreciate you and pray God will heal any wounds you carry in your heart.  Your dedication has not been forgotten.

Have a blessed Veteran’s Day!

Kingdom Politics

I voted today. I always do.  Every time I go to the polls I think of those who died to preserve my freedom, and I figure participating in elections big and small is the least I can do.  Taking part in the election process is also how I express good citizenship, as I am commanded to do in God’s Word (Romans 13:1-8).

When I hear followers of Jesus say they aren’t going to vote because they are disgusted with the system, or to uphold a lofty spiritual principle, I cringe. We might not always make it to the polls, for one reason or another, but blatantly ignoring the process is just wrong.  If we can’t support a candidate, we can vote for a write-in.  But we should vote.

The historical relationship between the kingdom and politics has been strange at best. You are probably aware the first century church was ostracized and persecuted by its government.  Roman authorities resented Christians for their views toward the gods of the Empire, and the church became a convenient scapegoat when things went awry.

In the 3^rd century the climate changed when Constantine became a patron of the church.  This led to an incredible advancement of kingdom work, but it also signaled the beginning of moral and spiritual corruption.  Once leading in the church became lucrative, its mission became secondary to selfish ambition.

Faith has always played a prominent role in American politics, from the spiritual life of the first colonists to the present day. I believe it is safe to say this role has been greatly diminished, but it still seems nearly impossible to get through an election without some mention of a candidate’s religious views.

Perhaps this is because we know one’s faith can’t help but influence government policy. This is especially true when it comes to an administration’s stand on national issues of morality, and its dialogue with foreign leaders.  If a political leader has a particular eschatological (“end times”) belief, it may influence how he or she approaches some of the major players in the Middle East.  The same is true in the areas of  justice, peace, and prosperity.  Perhaps you are old enough to remember when Jimmy Carter, who is a god-fearing man, told Americans they were living above their means.  Later, another god-fearing man named Ronald Reagan told us the problem wasn’t that we were living above our means, but rather that the government was living above its means.  Both were right in some respects, but each was driven by a political ideal filtered through the biblical truth that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the things God has given us.

I agree with those who say our kingdom is not of this world. If we have given our lives to Christ, He is our King of Kings, and we put His interests above those of our government.  However, although the Lord’s kingdom is not of this world, it is in the world.  In fact, it is ever-expanding.  Everywhere we go, we are kingdom pieces, pointing the world to our Savior.  In Jesus’ long “priestly prayer” in John 17 He prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15).  Therefore, we can’t turn our back on human governments, even if they are temporary.

As far as politics, I do have some strong opinions, and I have an official party. Which one, you ask?  Sorry.  You can ask me in person.  I will say I can understand why conservatives are concerned about liberals who disregard the constitution and use their positions to diminish its authority.  I can also understand why liberals fight for justice and equality.  And I think both have perspectives and actions that are deeply rooted in faith.  Both also have adherents who are thoroughly self-seeking.

I encourage you to care about politics. Sure, God’s kingdom can survive regardless of whether we are persecuted or protected by our government.  One might even make the argument the church would be better off with a little persecution.  While this may be true, I am all for disciplining ourselves to be passionate about our faith, while participating in our communities to build good government and a moral foundation.

I’ve got to go now. The election results are rolling in.

Kingdom Holidays

You may be aware our modern Halloween has its roots in something called “All Hallows’ Eve” or “All Saint’s Eve.” “All Hallows’ Day” is the beginning of a three-day event that celebrates dead martyrs and other Christian believers.

There is some debate as to whether Halloween was created by Christians or borrowed from an ancient pagan holiday. The latter theory reflects a practice known as  “Christianizing.”  Something is Christianized when pagan symbols and traditions are given new meaning.  The philosophy behind this practice is that it allows cultures to retain the form of an unchristian tradition while embracing biblical truth.  Similar histories exist in our celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

Throughout my lifetime I have seen a variety of approaches to Halloween by believers. When I was a teenager, it was perfectly acceptable to transform church buildings into haunted houses as an outreach event.  I’m not talking about one of those frightening experiences where kids confront death and are challenged to recommit their lives to Jesus.  Instead, our haunted houses were filled with body parts made out of spaghetti and catsup, monsters that jumped out from behind a curtain and a casket from the local funeral home.  Some youth groups in town charged for their haunted houses and used the money for missions.  It all seems a little strange now, but at the time a cool haunted house was a sign of an exciting church.

Before you write off these events as thoroughly heathen, realize this was before the first sewing needle was found in a trick-or-treat apple, and before people became obsessed with Satanic activities on Halloween. Ok, so maybe the head on a platter with blood and guts dripping over the side was a little over the top, but we considered it all good, clean, fun.

I have lived through trick-or-treat at the mall, Halloween alternative events (which many people preferred not to hold on Halloween because that gave a nod to the Satan), trunk-or-treat and bible costume parties. Some of my Christian friends have refused to have anything to do with Halloween and others wouldn’t miss handing out candy to neighborhood kids for anything in the world.

As parents, we dressed our children up as their favorite characters and escorted them around the neighborhood. Then we came back home and handed out candy for the rest of the evening.  Though our children dressed up, we didn’t allow witches or devils. “Scary” was fine.  In fact one of our son’s favorite activities was dressing up as a big ape and pretending to be a dummy with a bowl of candy in his arms.  When the neighborhood kids reached down to grab their candy he would jump up and scare the living daylights out of them!

Halloween remains the one time of the year when kids from our entire neighborhood come to our door for a treat, and we have an opportunity to connect briefly with their parents.  If Halloween in any form bothers you, I understand, and I respect your position.  I also realize our world is always changing, and there is no way I can decide what is best for every generation.  Christian parents just have to figure things out for themselves, while considering the wisdom they are able to glean from others.

I do, however, like the general notion of Christianizing a pagan celebration. I like to think of it as turning the tables on Satan by taking something he intended for evil and using it for good.  But we do need to make sure our adaptations reflect the joy and righteousness of God.

A few days ago I talked with a little girl who recently gave her life to Jesus.  She plans on wearing the armor of God to trick-or-treat. She has a sword and everything.  Satan had better look out!

Kingdom Classics

Do you like classics? Could I interest you in a ride in a ’57 Chevy? How about Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” or an evening with Mozart?

I grew up thinking “classic” meant “old,” and my guess is most people would equate anything deemed classical with the past. To a great extent this perception matches reality.

But did you know something can be classic in the present tense?  There is a technical sense in which almost anything can fit this definition.

A classic is a part of a classification. It belongs to a “kind” of thing, and perhaps is recognized because it represents the very best sampling of the subject at hand. This is why, when people say and do things that are highly typical of their personality we say, “that was classic.”

This brings us to an interesting question: “How would we define a classic Christian?” Which era would we choose? The church and its worshippers have passed through many seasons of styles for nearly 2,000 years. My favorite is the polyester, leisure suit, “It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Going” season. And who can forget our journey into mainstream pop with “Jesus is Just Alright with Me,” “Our Father,” and “Jesus Christ, Superstar?”

In reality, a Christian is a classic by definition. At least, a faithful Christian is a classic. We are a classification, and as such, we all want to be the best sampling possible for Jesus.

The good news is we don’t have to look a certain way to be a classic Christian. We don’t have to wear certain kinds of clothes, wear our hair a particular way, or drive a specific car. We don’t have to speak a certain way. I am not talking about the holiness of our language, but rather our cultural bent. You say “Lawd” and I say, “Loard.” He hears us both.

No, a classic Christian is simply the best representation of our kind. What is this best? I must tell you it isn’t necessarily the one who has his act together. It isn’t the one with the best knowledge of God’s Word, or the most time of service in the kingdom. Don’t get me wrong. All of these things are important. We should strive to live holy lives, and grow in our understanding of the Bible. Our service to the kingdom is always a natural expression of our love for the Lord and our passion for His mission.

But none of these really get to the root of our classification. Instead, I believe a classic Christian is someone who has been washed in the blood of Jesus and set free from sin. He or she is someone who has answered the call to follow Jesus and obey Him in everything. And as a result of the love God has poured into the life of everyone who has been redeemed, a classic Christian is known by his or her love for others. Everything else in the Christian walk is just an accessory.

This means the class distinctions for a Christian are redemption, obedience and love. Whether we were born in the year 1950 or the year 2000, all three apply.

Wouldn’t it be great if we focused so much on these defining characteristics that people who don’t now Jesus saw our lives and said, “That’s classic?” “There goes a classic Christian!”  I think this would be better than some of the other classifications we are given.

I’m not quite over the hill, but I can still be a classic. So can you. And there is something about a true classic that never grows old.

Kingdom Senselessness

Many things in God’s kingdom don’t make sense, but then that should come as no surprise to any of us. Mountains of books have been written throughout human history in an attempt to explain evil events as they relate to the goodness of God.

The questions take many forms: “Why doesn’t a good God prevent innocent people from evil acts?” “Why do evil people escape punishment while good people suffer harm?” “Why doesn’t God do something about natural disasters, disease, and accidents?” And, “Why does God allow His own servants to suffer?”

The answers are also plentiful: “God allows evil to exist because He has chosen to give us a free will.” “God intervenes in our lives when we pray, and when it is His will to change our circumstances.” “God allows good people to suffer now, but one day He will make everything right, rewarding those who do good deeds and punishing those who do evil.” And, “God uses our suffering to prepare us for His purposes.”

I believe there is sound biblical truth to support all of these answers (Romans 8:28; James 1:1-4; Luke 16:19-31). Yet, when someone is staggering in the tempest, it is hard to come up with any explanation that satisfies. Nor should we try.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting we should never quote scripture, or try to bring perspective in the midst of a tragedy. I often recount truths God has given us regarding His will when I pray with frightened or grieving families. If someone says, “This hurts right now, but I believe everything happens for a purpose,” I don’t say, “Oh, let’s not talk about that now.”

In most cases, however, I try to offer the most basic reassurances from God to comfort those who are suffering, and to help them understand God is present. I might say more if I am asked, or if those who are hurting take the initiative.

With this personal ministry style in view, I now turn to present events and ask, “How many more people are going to suffer at the hands of a mass shooter?” “How many more towns and villages are going to be bombed, burned, and pillaged.” “When is God going to make everything right? It all seems so senseless.”

The answers to these questions can also be addressed within the framework I have already shared.   I do not believe we will ever be completely satisfied with the answers, but perhaps through study, prayer and the passing of time we can come to a place of peace.

And in all of this, I wish to make one very bold statement: “Life is never senseless!” Yes, evil people do evil things for no reason. Their flawed logic is certainly senseless. But I am convinced the world is never out of control, and God will work with us to put the pieces of the most tragic events together in a way that brings meaning to our lives.

I do need to disclose I am uncomfortable with the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason.” It isn’t that I am in total disagreement. However, I do think we need to be careful with the notion God intentionally allows evil because He wants to use it for a higher purpose. God puts pieces back together again and gives our scarred lives meaning, but that doesn’t mean He would not have been just as pleased had the evil not taken place.

Therefore, I have some perspective on recent tragic events, though I admit my soundings in the raging sea are imperfect. My thought would be that evil people sometimes commit senseless acts that rob others of God’s joy. Murderers selfishly claim the lives of someone’s child, spouse or parent. Attackers alter the course of people’s’ future when their actions leave them maimed or mentally impaired.  These crimes can be truly senseless.

But in God’s kingdom, we have a Heavenly Father who reaches down into our storm and gathers up our hearts, together with our broken bones, tattered flesh and shattered dreams. He says, “I have not left you. This is not what I planned, but we will set a new course and I will fit it into my plans. In fact, I want to reward you for your faithfulness by using what you have been through to do more than originally planned. If you will trust me in this, we will walk out of the angry waves together and I will bind up your wounds and lead you to higher ground.”

Without God’s help evil wins and senselessness prevails. But when we allow God to work, He makes sense of the senseless and shows us how anything can useful in His kingdom.

That’s the way I see it.  Does this make sense?

Kingdom Collaboration

I am not Catholic, but I am “catholic.” Since most people associate the term “catholic” with the Roman church, it is easy to lose sight of the word’s true meaning. “Catholic” means “universal.” Although this important word with a capital “C” does represent a specific church body, it also reminds us there is a universal church including everyone who has received grace through Jesus.

Let me state clearly that it does matter what we believe about Jesus, and how we interpret the Bible. But not all Bible topics are created equal. Some are essential because they represent the foundational truths of our faith and they offer very little, if any, room for interpretation. The place of Jesus as the Son of God and His death, burial and bodily resurrection would fit this category. Other Bible topics are not essential, insofar as we are required to interpret them in a specific way, since God Himself has not been specific.

This doesn’t mean there is such a thing as an unimportant verse in the Bible, or even that there are Bible verses that don’t come from the very breath of God. I believe wholeheartedly in the authority of the entire Biblical record and will defend its role in our lives with a passion. Yet, we must be careful not to be dogmatic in areas where God, in His infinite wisdom, has not been specific. For example, God has not told us when the Lord Jesus is coming again. Some people have suggested His wisdom in this might be that the unpredictability of the second coming keeps us on our toes and forces us to live every day with the end as a present reality.

To be honest, there are church bodies with which I have sharp differences of opinions. I am not a Roman Catholic partially because I cannot subscribe to its system of penance, which I believe lessens the role of Jesus as our Advocate before the Father.

But, just because I have sharp disagreements with people on some key doctrines doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate those moments when we come together on essentials. I enjoyed following the pope during his recent visit to America because Francis has a gift for cutting through the red tape of man-made religion and casting the pure vision of the cross as we find it in the gospels. His message in Philadelphia reminded us the biggest scandal in the church isn’t that some people let the Spirit lead them to prophesy in Jesus’ name, but rather that the church has such little faith in the Spirit that it cannot imagine God working outside of religious bureaucracy.  I can get on board with this gem of truth! I may have to disembark at the next station when I encounter something erroneous, but I am always willing to travel with someone who preaches Jesus as the Messiah who died, was buried and rose again, proclaiming victory over sin and death.

The church I serve has a slogan that says, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things love.” I actually think our church movement may have lifted this statement from Augustine. But it is no less true. At first glance it might seem to represent the fact that in any given church family we need to give each other the liberty to disagree on topics where God has not been specific. This is certainly the case. However, I would add that it also means we can come to agreement on essentials with people who are not a part of our particular church body, and with whom we disagree at many points.

I will caution that our commonalities don’t negate the seriousness of our differences. We shouldn’t say our concerns over poor doctrine simply don’t matter since we have agreed on the basic message of Jesus. On the other hand, we should count those who agree on essentials as our friends, and walk with them whenever possible. Christ has enough enemies in the world. We don’t need to create more by refusing to associate with other believers with whom we disagree.

I am a part of the universal church, and to the extent I can collaborate with others who love my Lord, we can lift His name high for the world to see. “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)

Dear God, help us come together on the things that matter most.

Kingdom Judgments

“Judgmental” is the new code word for the Lord’s church. Ask most anyone what they think of when they think of Christians and somewhere near the top of the list you will find “judgmental.”

In some ways we have earned the title. By “we”, I mean the church at large (an important point I will return to in a moment). What else can you call a church that pickets the funeral of a slain soldier to make a statement about the morality of our nation? Is there any other label for Christians who sit in their ivory tower buildings and cast stones through the windows while their world goes to hell?

But let’s be fair. The fact that a few misguided churches have disgraced the mission of Christ should not discredit those that are true to their calling. Just as some churches are quick to judge people, so those who have chosen to reject Jesus are sometimes quick to judge the church. A judgmental attitude isn’t a religious problem. It is a human problem. We are judged every day by marketing strategies that strive to make us feel inferior or inadequate unless we buy the right products. Our human worth is calculated by our salary, the car we drive and our newest technological toy. And when people of faith take a moral stand based on principle, they are often mocked and ridiculed by the very people who cry for a non-judgmental world.

No. A judgmental attitude isn’t just a church problem. It’s a people problem, and anyone who is truly honest about our present circumstances will embrace this reality.

With this said, I propose an axiom: judgment is a good thing when it is based on truth. That’s right. I believe in being judgmental, but only when we have the facts to back up our claims and also only when our judgments are expressed in sincere humility. Like anything, our judgments become a problem when they are influenced by our own sinful agendas and when they lack the heart of compassion that flows from the throne of God.

Some might disagree with me and point to Matthew 7:1 where Jesus told us not to judge, lest we be judged. Certainly, we should not pick a speck of dust out of our brother’s eye when we have a plank in our own. Yet, the scriptures also encourage us to distinguish between good and evil, and to hold people accountable when we judge their behavior to be immoral. One of the most vivid examples of this is found in 1 Corinthians 5 where the church was tolerating an adulterous relationship between a man and his step-mother. The Apostle Paul told the church to hand the man over to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5). Yikes! I’ll admit Paul’s words make me a bit uncomfortable. However, he clearly states his goal was not to destroy the sinner, but to bring him to a place of true repentance so his course could be corrected.

In the interest of truth, I also think Christians should be willing to let the world correct their behavior. I am not suggesting people who don’t know the scriptures are in the best position to tell us what God wants us to do. However, some of the humor non-believers toss our way is filled with truth, even though it stings. As followers of Jesus we must be willing to examine how our world perceives us, and if we are being ridiculed we should consider the possibility we are guilty as charged.

I don’t want to live in a world where people ruthlessly judge others without any concern for their welfare and future. The church should lead the way in helping people set aside their fear of being judged so they can understand the grace of God.

But I also don’t want to live in a world where no one ever calls out sin. What good is truth is we don’t learn from it, and why should we be so arrogant to assume the popular thought of the moment is better than thousands of years of wisdom?

This is just the way I see it. I hope you won’t judge me.

Kingdom Milestone

Several days ago Jane and I took a stroll on Clearwater Beach. It was a very long stroll. As a teenager I used to borrow a friend’s boat for a short ride to Caladesi Island, a small spit of land just north of Clearwater Beach. When the pass between Clearwater Beach and the island began to fill in with sand, a decision was made to let nature take its course. Now it is possible to walk from Clearwater Beach to the Caladesi on dry land.

It turns out the distance between these two points is 5 miles, so we travelled 10 miles round-trip.  Who would have thought? It certainly never seemed that far by boat. The first three miles of our journey weren’t too bad, but we soon realized we should have brought some water along. A little extra sunscreen would have been nice too.

I felt certain we were hydrated enough to finish the first 5 mile leg to the island. Once we were there we could buy some drinks and refuel for the trip back. Well, that would have been possible had I remembered to bring money. That’s right. We were a little over halfway to our destination, walking along a desolate stretch of beach, without water or money to buy what we would need to guarantee a safe return.  I really shouldn’t have dropped out of Boy Scouts when I was a kid.

So we walked on. That’s what you do when you are over halfway to your destination. It is closer to keep walking than it is to go back, and you trust once you arrive you will find what you need.

The good news is, we make it safely to the island snack bar. We broke one rule on the boardwalk that required us to wear shoes. Yup, we were barefoot too…barefoot on a 10 mile march on a beach in Florida, with no water to our name and no extra sunscreen. Don’t blame Jane. I kept telling her the snack bar was right around the corner.  I nearly led us into the valley of death permanently.

Now that I am in my late 50s, I have been thinking some about eternity. Don’t get me wrong. I have thought about heaven since I was a five-year old in my “Little Angels” bible class. But now I am much closer, and it is more of a reality. I am three miles into the journey and have two miles to go. And once I arrive, there is no reason to return. When I get to the end, there will be plenty of water there. It will flow from the throne of God like a river, and continue past the tree of life.

My father once told me, “I now know more people in heaven than I know on earth.” My dad knew a lot of people on earth, but I think I am beginning to realize what he was saying. When the distance between here and there is less than the distance we have already traveled, we begin to frame our days differently. We think more about finishing well and bringing glory to God with the time we have left. And even though we grow parched, we don’t distress. We have come this far by faith and we know the Lord will sustain us until our forever refreshment.

When we are on the back side of the journey, we can grow weary. We might even fear we won’t make it. But God has reassured us He will not desert us. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29)

The good news is, when Jane and I arrived at the snack bar, the kind woman behind the counter filled us up with some free ice water. She even gave us some water to take with us on our journey back. Five miles later, we were sunburned, a bit thirsty and tired, but so happy we had taken the trek together.

My guess is there are people reading these thoughts who wonder whether or not they are going to make it to the end of the journey. Maybe you are emotionally exhausted and spiritually dry. I don’t have all of the answers, but I know this: once you enter a path with the Lord, just keep walking. He will make sure you arrive at your destination. And don’t discount the value of the hunger and thirst you are experiencing. It only makes the stream of life that much sweeter. In fact, even now you can taste it. Even in the arid land God pours life into our souls.

Walk on. You aren’t far from the end of your journey.