Preaching to Myself: Politics and Peace

 Philippians 4:8-9 AMP

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

If you know me, you know I care deeply for Public Education and how state politics affects it. So deep down I worry that if I only stare at the honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praise-of-God-worthy, I will be like the ostrich who puts his head in the sand and will become a silly buffoon who knows nothing of the world around me. This is because when I manage more of what God asks me to notice, I have more peace and less political engagement, missing out on the latest concerns. I don’t get the political memes on social media and feel rather dumb. 

But is all this “engagement” fruitful? Is it about something that I have any control over? Is it more important for me to share the goings on of state government or to share the word of Christ? When I hear the news, does it really make me into a better neighbor, friend, family member, or wife? Yes, I need to be wise when I choose government officials. In truth, it is only the action of voting that has the tiny potential to change my world for the better and this only happens periodically.

So yes, I need to read and pay attention to godly sources before I vote, realizing how tricky it is to stay informed for the vote without giving myself over to angst and worry. However, it is no big secret that in many political resources evil lurks. Even if I could run out and hold a sign in protest, isn’t it better that I hold a hand? The true power to change my world is really in Christ. Because if there is one thing I know, it is through relationships that Christ works and not through violence, a yard sign, marches, protests or even voting. Jesus demonstrated this in his 33 years in flesh. 

So it comes down to this: Which makes me what God asks me to be? Being informed on the political goings-on? Or walking this difficult life in the peace of God? If thinking on all the beauty and goodness of God pushes out my political concerns, and replaces it with peace, it is most certainly a win. This is my prayer: May I think on the beauty of God all day long and with every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.

 There are so many life lessons we can learn from sports. The applications are limitless and I don’t think that is a coincidence. While playing a game of keep away, have you ever seen someone engage eye contact with the opponent while quickly tossing the ball to a teammate? And because the opponent’s focus was on the wrong target they were fooled. However, that move never fooled this dog when his eye was on food. He was focused!

This guy always had his eye on the “ball”.

This reminds me of how I lose my focus on Christ when daily issues arise or adversity comes around. I pray for healing, for safety, for comfort and God often answers these prayers, but that is not the point. I have taken my eyes off of the ball and placed it on the issue in front of me. 

Time and time again Jesus addressed this issue to his followers. He tried to redirect the focus of people on what matters. He wanted them to keep their eye on the ball. In John 4:10 to the woman at the well who was focused on getting water to drink, He said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” In verse 32 of the same chapter, Jesus’ said to his disciples who were focused on getting Jesus to eat, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 

Keep your eye on the ball. 

In John 6:26-27 to the people following him to the hillside by Galilee because they were healed and fed he said, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then in verse 40 Jesus again tells this crowd to change their focus and look to God the Father and his Son. “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Keep your eye on the ball. 

I believe that there is a game being played that we know nothing about. It is a game to steal our focus from what really matters. I believe it is played out every second of our life on earth and even shutting ourselves off in an empty room will not help us win this tug of war for our attention because much of the battle happens within us. But this all sounds rather hopeless and depressing. If only we had some power or equipment to help us win this daily struggle! 

But wait! There’s more! In verse 63 Jesus says his Spirit and his words are full of power. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” So we are better equipped than the enemy. And furthermore when Jesus is offering his final comforting words to his disciples in John 14:16-17 he says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

And we are reminded that our team has the best uniforms, pads, cleats, helmets and bats. In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are equipped to win the game. 

Ephesians 6:12-18 NIV

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

And last but definitely not least, light always wins over darkness. Its power is undeniable. We will win because we rely on God. He has the ultimate victory over the enemy. We see this in the first chapter of John’s gospel when he introduces us to God and his Son. In John 1:4-5, John says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

So we must remind ourselves day by day, minute by minute that we are on the winning team with the power and authority of God the Father, Christ his Son and the Holy Spirit. We know how it ends. Just take a glimpse at Revelation chapter 22. We are on the winning team and on that we can place all our confidence and remember to…

Keep our eyes on the ball.

Moving Furniture in the Rain

 On this week of Valentine’s Day it is appropriate that I introduce you to some beautiful people that have blessed my life. I have been privileged to know many amazing, kind and loving people. As we all know, there are many people who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. And for me, the ability to discern the authentic people from fake rule-followers came at a steep price.

It was a period of life many years ago, in which I felt shunned by my Christian family and friends that I met these special people. My isolation came from my guilt and gave me eyes to see the truth I never would have known without going through that. I learned that sadly, many folks including myself, were only rule-following Christians and had no use for folks who strayed from that path. I took the road through heartbreak and poverty and while I was sorry for my mistakes, I wouldn’t trade it for the insight I gained from it. I learned to see the world in a way that I never would have if I hadn’t veered off the path that was laid out for me. It made me change the channel. It made me look for and listen to other points of view other than the one I was born into and I am so thankful for this.

It was authentic Christ followers who stepped up and helped me when I was alone. Meet Pat and Bob Bicknell. Bob was the head of the music department for Wayland Baptist University and he and Pat had two lovely children, Sharon and David. Pat saw my loneliness and was a friend to me. She saw my lack of income and came up with a way for me to earn money while staying home with my baby. What a blessing! She employed me to sew smocks for her daycare workers and she also employed me to pick up her kids from school and keep them until she came home from work. I spent many hours caring for Sharon and David while thoroughly enjoying the companionship and added income.

After I graduated I needed help moving to a nearby town to live and work in my first teaching position. I felt like I knew the Bicknells well enough to ask them for help to move. I will never forget Dr. Bicknell struggling to move my washer and dryer through a small door on that rainy that day. I still feel bad about that and I know now that it is only the most beautiful people who will help you move your furniture in the rain.

In the following years I remarried and the Bicknells moved away from that college town. Forty years later, I have tried to find them to thank them but can only find a tiny digital footprint leading to a general area of Texas. I will see them again someday though. And when I do, I will run up and hug their necks. What beautiful people!

The Influence of One Decision

 This is not my story to tell. Or maybe it is, because it needs to be shared.

This story was heard while listening to Pastor Caesar preach. As I understand it, Caesar was born to underprivileged non-hearing parents. He struggled in school and was considered special needs. I don’t know the details but later in his difficult childhood, Caesar was mentored/adopted by a dentist named Dr. Luckett who took him under his wing.

Dr. Luckett was a Christian man so he took Caesar to his church where he was told Caesar was not welcomed because he was black. Dr. Luckett could have left Caesar at home, he could have dropped Caesar off at a black church, or he could have quit going to church because they were hypocrites. But what he did changed lives forever. He left that church and found one that would accept Caesar. Under Dr. Luckett’s guidance, Caesar played college and pro football, graduated from college and gave his life to spreading the gospel. He is currently a chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Dallas and an associate pastor in charge of the Celebrate Recovery program at our church. The lives he has touched all can be traced back to one decision by one man who made the right choice.

Unexpectedly at any moment we could have to make a life changing decision like that. Or maybe we make them all day long. We choose our words, our likes and interactions on social media and our actions in real life. Which one will be a pivotal point in the life of someone else? I don’t think we will know until we get to Glory. Most of these decisions will be forgotten and not even mentioned at our funeral. Yet each decision we make, no matter how insignificant, makes ripples that go out to affect those around us. We are woven into the fabric of humanity and any action can change hundreds of decisions made around us.

I believe what determines my choices is my preparation. I didn’t know Dr. Luckett but he probably was not blindsided with a desire to do the right thing in a life of chasing his own selfish pursuits. He probably had developed a habit of listening and responding to God throughout his life. So if I am prepared, when the small or large decisions happen, my response will be what God would have it be. This is like when the soil is prepared for a crop. The farmer cannot control the weather but he can weed and till the soil and plant the seeds. My part is to prepare it for the best yield.

Did I pursue Christ that day? Was I grateful to God? Did I humble myself before him in prayer? Did I listen and look for God’s intervention in my day? This is simple stuff, not rocket science. And that is Good News. There is so much that I can’t control and I am often tempted to wring my hands obsessing over this lack of control. But I must remember that God’s powerful hands control the results of my decisions.

Like the decision of Dr. Luckett, in God’s hands, our tiny ripples can become a tsunami. It is a story of a small decision that made a world of difference. I believe we as Christians need to be reminded of our mission and how important it is that we make the decisions which may go against the flow of those around us, yet are the right thing to do. Decisions that we make can be forgotten in an instant but the ripples that go out from it will continue on in ways we cannot fathom.

What Made the Wise Men So Wise?

 

They knew the night sky well enough to notice a rogue star when no one else did.

They paid attention.

They were not Jewish but knew of the foretelling of the King of the Jews.

They were informed.

Even though they expected a King, they bowed at the feet of an infant.

They were humble. 

When Herod told them a bold-faced lie, they went on their way.

They understood human nature.

When they had a dream telling them not to report back to Herod they listened.

They listened to God. 

Hugging Rattlesnakes

 I have lived with the most innately discerning human for 37 years today. Being lacking in this area, I am ever-amazed at his abilities. He seems to see through to the motives of people and only on a rare occasion is he proven wrong. Discernment is like being able, at a glance, to recognize a beneficial snake from a venomous one, on the fly, while you are a little freaked out. I feel discernment is a very crucial skill in our world and especially for Christians.

How can we as Christians love everyone yet still have the discernment to know when someone is manipulating us? Because I am old, I have seen many instances where Christians were suckered in and manipulated by someone who does harm to them or to their church. I also have seen precious people who adamantly believe they should love and accept everyone be totally lost when they are forced to take a stand. They have no ability to discern. On the other end of the spectrum, I have seen Christians who build tall walls around them and their family because they aren’t able to discern the beneficial from the poisonous. These opposite approaches to living the Christian life have the same issue. We need discernment.

How do you determine a beneficial snake from a poisonous viper? It is through education and experience. Without education we either kill all the snakes, good and bad or we accept all the snakes and end up in the emergency room or worse. The analogy holds up for discernment. But the hard way to learn discernment is experience. Trust me, life is short and we really don’t want to learn everything the hard way. Thankfully, discernment also comes through education and the Bible is the ultimate source of stories of good and bad discernment and how to live as a Christ follower in an evil world. The problem for most of us is the Bible is tough to understand so we opt for an easier path.

Here is one example of the stuff that makes reading the Bible more of an adventure than a pastime, and definitely not for the faint of heart. In the beginning of Genesis, God designed one man for one woman. Then a few chapters later we see Ol’ Abraham taking more than his fair share of women. Yet he was flippin’ Abraham, the Big Kahuna of faith! So confusing! Mysteriously, if we prayerfully seek God we will begin to sort through the culture and sin and understand the important lessons about God in this book of stories of flawed humans realizing it doesn’t read like a novel. And it shouldn’t be read like a simplistic rule book either.

Eat This Book, by Eugene Peterson is a book about how to read the Bible and is very helpful in understanding it. This book is challenging reading for me but I must say that I have begun to grasp some points that Dr. Peterson made. One of the main concepts in his book is that the Bible is largely written in stories(narratives) and should be read as such. We shouldn’t pluck a verse out of a story and call it quits. The very essence of God is expressed in each of these narratives. For example, Esther is a book of the Bible that never mentions God but the character and values of God are woven through this story. It is a wonderful story and I highly recommend reading it. However, if we approach this reading of Esther literally, we will be out skewering our enemies on tall poles. Each narrative in the Bible is set in a different time, culture and location. We must take this into consideration before we attempt to interpret any story of the Bible. So if we educate ourselves to the setting and culture in which the story is written, we will certainly begin to understand more about God and how to recognize a viper.

As Christians, we have to decide how to treat sin and our fellow sinners. I believe the best advice is in the actions of Jesus. He did not treat them all the same. He did not hug all the snakes. On one hand, Jesus said, “He who is without sin should cast the first stone” choosing not to condemn. But on the other hand, Jesus set his foot down adamantly against many proud pious folks, calling them snakes and broods of vipers. How did he know what to condemn? He was so brilliant. But He was God. He could look into the heart. And I am not and cannot. Thankfully he left us with the Holy Spirit and a Bible full of stories and advice. This is our resource so we must seek it out wisely.

Christians must be smart and discerning. We cannot accept everyone at face value. We must look through the facade. We must see past the fashionable clothing and alluring words and consider the motives of the heart. But we must also realize we are still sinners and not above anyone else. We have simply accepted a beautiful gift that others have rejected. It is like walking on a tight rope, there is always tension because it is not easy. If there is no tension when it comes to discernment, chances are we are choosing not to discern but choosing to accept all or reject all. We must discern the non-venomous snakes from the venomous and the best way to do that is through prayerfully, relentlessly studying the Bible.