Here’s the article I read a part of on the air during Weekend Worship.
Archive for the ‘Witnessing’ Category
Encouraing article for rough times
Friday, April 3rd, 2009President Obama and Christians
Monday, February 2nd, 2009I’ve gotten some feedback from my Chaplain’s Minute about the inauguration. I figured I’d write out more of my thoughts. This comes from an email I sent a listener who responded to me. I don’t suspect that my feelings will be completely accepted and agreed upon – however, I believe this issue is deeply important.
Christianity MUST think about their relation to government. I deeply believe that we have become innefective at communicating the gospel because we’ve forgotten the One Big Thing.
Every person and organization has the ONE BIG THING. The One over-riding thing that is super important that all other things take secondary position to.
You’re one thing may be a clean house; having friends; being organized; being spontaenous…. Your life lives out throught that paradigm.
What is the One Thing for God?
Very simply put – it’s lost people. The heart of God is passionate about YOU! His ONE thing is seeing humanity saved for eternity.
If I were an unbeliever looking in at Christians, I’d think that the One Thing for them was one of the following: The Republican Party; Being against Abortion; Being Against Homosexual Marriage – and for a few Christians right now – hating Obama.
What does this mean? It means that in our concern to protect our culture and way of life we’ve gone into a cultural war. And once we’re in a cultural war, we can no longer connect or communicate – we are simply fighting. And we’re NOT fighting for the ONE THING that is important to God.
It has been said that my spot made the impression that we are now to support and pray for him. And that is very true. The question may be, what does it mean to support Obama? Does it mean that I agree with everything he stands for? Absolutely not – I don’t agree with everything he’s said and has done. However, I should still stand behind the man, and be an encourager, not a distractor. Put it through this filter – would what I have say about his politics open the door for me to share my faith with him, or distract from it? Would Obama be more inclined to dialoge with me about faith or less likely? Because the BIG THING is the BIG THING no matter the person’s position – president or pauper.
The other part of this conversation that I differ with many is that I don’t see this world as our home; nor do I see this nation or government as the bastian of morality or the hope of the world.
This nation and culture are not the answer, nor are they our future. As that old song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through….” So, I should not be amazed when things happen in this government that I don’t agree with. I should not be THAT worried about making it home now – it’s just a temporary place.
I’d love to hear your thoughts… Join in the conversation below!
Where we are… I’m excited!
Friday, November 21st, 2008Okay, 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….
Your questions: Sharing Jesus with family
Sunday, July 6th, 2008“Also, I have many friends who are believers and we try to encourage each other. I feel very blessed to have these great friends. I know we’re supposed to share the Good News about Jesus with others. It’s hard to know how/when to share about our faith. I don’t know where many of my extended family is with Jesus. I feel extreme pressure because I claim to be a Christian to be a perfect example of Christ’s love. Obviously, I’m not perfect and I fail a lot. I want to feel at peace about that, but to also live my life so they see the love of Christ.
Sometimes I think we carry too much pressure to “win” people over to Jesus. We feel a little uncomfortable, like maybe we’re not much better than a pushy used car salesman. And when we realize our own imperfections, it seems all the stranger. As a pastor, though, one of the best things people have told me is that because of my imperfections – and my honesty about it – that they feel God can be real in their life too. People can handle our imperfections – they can’ t handle us acting like we don’t!
Instead, we need to enter into relationships with them and then be willing to ask deep questions – and instead of simply waiting to give our answers to them be willing to listen to them and actually dialogue rather than monologue.
I’ve read this quote many times, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.;”
So, to put some of this in practical terms with your family… I would suggest you begin by building your relationship with God and asking Him to give you divine appointments – even them asking you about your life, your relationship with Christ, how you handle stuff in life, etc.
Secondly, spend time each day remembering why you serve God. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” Part of that means remember why you are in love with God; what He’s done for You. How it’s impacted your life day to day.
I highly recommend the books, “Out of the Saltshaker & Into the World” by Rebecca Manley Pippert and “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels. Both are available at Amazon.com as well as through local Christian book stores and I know Hybels book is available at your local library (that’s where I got it!).