Archive for November, 2008

Where we are… I’m excited!

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Okay, sneak peak at my sermon for this weekend…

We live in a scary time. Have you watched the new recently? A friend had their boss laid off today – the layoffs got close to home again. The stock market is more than a roller coaster – it’s sea sickness on the Titanic….

How did we get here? Are we scared yet?

For years, we’ve been fascinated with homeland security. What has made us secure?

1) A strong defense and offense. Tighten borders. Attack countries that seem a threat. Tighten our borders.

2) Build a strong economy. We do this by encouraging people to spend. We do this by making money available to them – your home value is going up so refinance and take money out; we get 0% credit cards in the mail; we have 0% car loans which puts money into the auto makers pockets. Bush said it after 9/11 – go out and SPEND!!! GO SHOPPING! And we have. My life is currently deficient because I ONLY have a Palm Centrino – not an iPhone; I have a decent sized TV- not a LARGE flat screen; and my newest piece of furniture came from Craigslist. That’s okay though – I have car loan and an SUV that I put part of on a 0% credit card (which is 0% no longer! – Dave Ramsey calls this stupid tax!)

3) Enforce our morality no matter what.

And yet, it’s all fallen apart. The word depression is now common on the news – bringing us flashbacks to visions of the Great Depression – which I wasn’t there for – but I’ve heard was scary bad. In haste to fix this, the government passed a $700 billion bailout – which about half of it has been spent – and I’m excited to tell you that it has fixed our economy and we are back on level footing!!! NOT!

So, as someone who wants to be a radical Christ follower, how do I respond?

Frankly – I am excited.

Now, I come from a conservative Christian tradition which places a huge emphasis on prophecy and end-time scenarios – and so all of my friends from back in the day will probably read this and think – “Yes, he’s excited because it means it’s the END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!!! and Jesus is coming. Which is great for him, but I’m scared of the disaster that happens before it and what if I’m not ready and what if I mess up and GO TO HELL!!!”

Nope – that’s not why I’m excited. I hope Jesus comes back this month. But I don’t know if it’s right now or 6 months or 60 years… I think it’s coming soon – but I don’t have the holy script – (and – subject of a different note or something, but it seems when people do get “the script” they start living out of fear and control instead of faith and rest… – but I digress…)

I’m excited because I think that as a Christ follower I actually have something to say. And simply put, in this culture of fear, I have hope.

And my hope is simply this – we get to finally get our priorities in tact and get back to what God has been saying all along.

1) My kingdom is not of this world – otherwise my followers would fight. Funny, the fighting hasn’t worked. Time for something else. I am ashamed that Christians promote war. Government of the people, by the people, for the people is NOT a theocracy!!!!

2) Money is not where peace comes from. Peace does not come from a 401K; peace does not come from financial security. Peace comes from a spirit of Thanksgiving because we were lost and God rescued us before – and He will do it again; peace comes from presenting all our petitions to GOD – not our financial adviser or mortgage company.

3) Romans 1 says that God gave them over to their sinful desires. Since we cannot change people – why are we going to war with them? Maybe what they need is Jesus looking into their eyes saying “neither do I condemn you! Go and sin no more…”

So, I’m excited. I’m excite that we may see an amazing true spiritual revival of something that means something to people and makes a difference in their lives. I’m excited that we get to present hope when everything else has fallen apart. I’m excited that we get to remember that money and control never satisfy and we are pushed to rest in God taking care of us!

And that is my rant for tonight…. What do you think? Put up some comments….

Posted in Chaplain Rambling, Economy, Faith, Politics, Spirituality, Witnessing | 1 Comment »

An Open Letter to (Christian) Politicians

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Dear politicians, 

Well, the 2008 campaign is over – we have a new president; we’ve elected and re-elected congressmen; spent a lot of money on campaign adds, and just had a glorious time as a nation!

 

But now the dust is settling, the clouds are clearing – so can we talk for a couple minutes? I know you have an economic nightmare to fix; two wars to keep and eye on; and millions of people like me who are a bit grumpy.

 

Did you notice that it seems like people have gotten a bit fatigued by political campaigns? Have you noticed that sometimes the vibe on the street is one of resentment or tiredness with elections?

 

I’d like to suggest a couple things… And these are from my heart – not from a poll (I don’t have the resources to pull off a big poll!); not from extensive research with consultants – this is just me and my heart.

 

Please remember that you carry the name of Jesus. As I looked at my local politicians, most claimed to be Christian, church-going, God-fearing people. I’m glad! I’m excited that someone who is responsible for leading is connected to the Ultimate Leader!

 

However, what place does your faith play in your campaigning? Remember those old bracelets? What Would Jesus Do? How would Jesus campaign? Remember, He’s the guy who just stood silent at false accusations – when He could have spoken and ripped them a whole new identity based on all their secret sins! But, He remained silent! How would Jesus run a campaign?

 

Sometimes it feels to me like winning is more important that how you win. And I’m sure that you care passionately about the issues you support. I’m sure that you are incredibly passionate about the causes you champion. However, when you win at all costs, you end up loosing your number one priority in life – and that is the fame and reputation of God. If you carry the name of Christ, your mission is greater than your political campaign and career.

 

If you are NOT a Christian, don’t claim it. I know, I know, many evangelicals and Christians can’t seem to vote for someone who is not a Christian. But, for me, I’d rather vote for an atheist who is honest, courteous, positive, and will represent my position on issues than a Christian who is an arrogant jerk! Claiming the name Christian and going to church are radically different than being a real disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

While I’m on this, there’s one issue that has bothered me more in this past campaign than any other. It’s called lying. Lying ticks me off. Lying leads to every sin in the book – or is the result of every sin in the book. Lying kills relationships. Lying destroys hearts.

 

I’ve been married for 6 ½ years. And let me tell you, I would have never married my wife if I didn’t think she was honest and trustworthy. And yet, you want me to vote you into office to run my country, determine my children’s future, and handle my money through taxes – and it seems to me that to do it, you lie!

 

A couple times over the campaign I went to www.factcheck.org – and each time I was amused, entertained, but also saddened and jaded by the exaggerations, misleading, and outright lies that were being told by both sides.

 

It’s funny, because the Bible says that God hates lies! The book of Hebrews says God cannot lie! It’s all through the Bible! So, it’s funny to me that someone can be taken down in a sex scandal, but if someone lies, it’s just politics!

 

In my house, if some of the stuff that’s gone on in this campaign had happened in my house – if my kids had tried to pull the stunts on me that ya’ll have pulled on each other, there would be strong consequences.

 

Unfortunately, in some races – especially the Presidential campaign, it didn’t seem to matter – both major candidates’ campaigns were lying! Not to mention vice-presidential antics (I was against the Bridge-to-Nowhere! I was against it! Oh, okay, I was really for it until it became unpopular, then I was against it!) You see, that’s a LIE in my book! It’s still deceit!). But, I’ll tell you what, if there were a candidate that I didn’t agree with – but they were HONEST and didn’t LIE, then I would have voted for them simply for their character!

 

So, do you want to see some respect come back to politicians and politics? Do you want to hold your head up high and be proud of who you are –and people – well at least me – be proud to have you as my advocate in office? Then please, remember, you carry the name of Jesus. Remember, there are things more important winning – and please, don’t lie… Be painfully honest. As a Christian, pastor, chaplain, dad, husband, and a part of this great

America… Please, let’s let this be the last “normal” political election.

Posted in Chaplain Rambling, Election 2008, Faith, Politics | No Comments »