Get a Load Off

Posted on January 12, 2017 · 3 Comments

HoleInWall

“But it also thinks that a great many things have gone wrong with the world that God made and that God insists, and insists very loudly, on our putting them right again.”  C.S. Lewis/Mere Christianity

Dear Christian;

I haven’t written anything in weeks.  I had nothing because my vision of what I wanted this blog to be (reflective, but upbeat) was at odds with all the things I’ve been thinking and feeling since the elections last November.  I’ve been affected in a way that was profound and unexpected.  What happened?   I love politics.  I love to debate the merits of the policy du jour.  Not so this time, because this election was never elevated to discussions on policy.  Instead we were continually tripping over behavior that most of us would not tolerate from even the most casual acquaintance.  No good good come from the leadership of a guy who has been accused of defrauding students (Trump University), whose charitable foundation admitted to violating a ban on “self dealing”, who publicly ridiculed a disabled person, and…so much more.  I’ve felt isolated, wondering why I felt the sting of this election so personally, when everyone around me has moved on.  I’ve considered the suggestion that much of my angst was a result of my tendency to over analyze.  Maybe I’m one of the many whiny babies and sore losers that some in the media have made reference to.  I don’t suppose it matters anymore, because today is the day I move on.  I’m intentionally looking forward with certainty and confidence.

Of course, before I move on; here’s what I need to say.

What has blown me away, and kept me stuck is my confusion and disappointment at the large number of Christians that voted for the President-elect. I can’t wrap my head around it.  The math doesn’t work.  Our faith is in Christ, who commands us to love others as we love ourselves.  We watched or read tweets from a man who blatantly insulted, vilified and bullied humans from all walks of life.  Supporting that is the opposite of love.  God is moral and just.  Why would we choose to support a leader who almost daily shows a lack of regard and compassion for the earth and people that God created?  It isn’t reasonable for a Christian to believe that a just Supreme Court will spring from the nominees of a man who has exhibited blatant immorality?  I feel certain that the means will not net the hoped for end.  *You reap what you sow

God gifted us with free will.  We choose freely to follow Christ.  Our obedience to Him flows from a submitted heart, not the law.  We have been commissioned to share Christ by modeling the life He led; not by ramming the law down people’s throats.  Aligning ourselves with any leader who repeatedly espouses disdain for every value we are supposed to hold dear does deep damage to our cause.  We are to foster change in the way people want to live. We do that with compassion, cheerful generosity and kindness.  I sincerely believe that God weeps at the thought of us trying to achieve His purposes by any means necessary.  Christianity isn’t losing the cultural war because of its values.  It’s losing, because many Christians adhere to the letter of the law, while shamefully ignoring the Spirit.  Isn’t that what the Pharisees did?

The election is over, but the need to be clear about what you believe and where you stand as a Christian is urgent.  Christianity was never about seeking personal comfort.  Even its founder billed it as difficult.  Choosing to follow Christ is a grave, but noble decision.  Choosing to live that decision means relying on tradition and groupthink won’t cut it.  Prayer and soul searching followed by action will.

Writing my thoughts has been cathartic.  My intent is not to hurt or alienate, but to share what I believe to be true while providing a little food for thought.

Meanwhile, I appreciate the opportunity to share what has been foremost in my thoughts.  Thanks!

Please share your thoughts whether you are opposed or in agreement with mine.

*Galatians 6:7

pinterestby feather
Filed Under: Heart of the Matter Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I’m One To Judge

Posted on November 5, 2015 · Leave a Comment

In my previous post I wrote about God, The Judge.  The just, merciful and gracious judge.  That aspect of judge and judgment is in a league of its own.  It’s all taken care of.  God’s judgment is complete.  Case closed (haha).

Lately, it’s man’s judgment that I find myself thinking about.  I listen to the news, think about our world and find myself wondering…

Where’s the judgment?  Good judgment.  People react, become emotional, even outraged, without seeming to have spent a moment on reflection, fact gathering or assessment.  I call this lack of judgment.  Please be clear.  Judgment is not gossip, petty speech designed to belittle or “foolish talk”.  “Judgment” as defined in The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is  the act or process of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful thought.

Again, where is the judgment?  There’s a lot of “foolish talk” jamming the airways and polluting our world.  Sadly, this talk accomplishes nothing useful.  Anyone can find an outlet overflowing with foolish talk, tailor made to appeal to any worldview.  Anger and frustration flow unchecked.  An illusion of  satisfaction develops, growing from having vented to an audience that was convinced at “hello”.  This is tragic because it means that very few challenge and very few are challenged.  The intention necessary for true judgment is not exerted.  People get stuck on indignation, never graduating to sober, balanced judgment.

So what?  Why judgement?  Because the act of judging a situation confirms who you are and what you believe.  When one takes the time to ponder a situation, the fruit is less extreme and more thoughtful.  Good judgement is an indicator of character.  As judgments are made, boundaries are simultaneously set.  Ultimately, judgment is important as it affects who we vote for, what we stand for and even in many cases how we spend our money.

When clear, sober judgment is at play, an awareness of nuance develops.  This awareness of nuance is necessary for examining the many statements that are made and tossed around so often, they become accepted as truth.  For example, objecting to policemen killing unarmed citizens (criminal or otherwise) is not a stand against the institution of law enforcement, any more than expressing distaste for rapists is a stand against men.

Please assess, contemplate, then judge.  Exercise the little used (of late) impartiality muscle.  If we all do this, the world will be a better place.  Don’t take my word for it.  You be the judge!!  haha

pinterestby feather
Filed Under: Heart of the Matter Tagged With: , ,

Just Judgment

Posted on November 3, 2015 · Leave a Comment

gavel

In my prayers I always thank God for His grace, His mercy and His judgment.  Why judgment?  Because God’s judgment is the only judgment that can be completely trusted.  He made the rules.  He set the standards.  It follows that He be the one to judge.

God is the ultimate judge. His judgment is supreme and embodies perfect justice.  With Him the facts are coupled with unvarnished truth.  There are no surprises and no unforeseen manipulations to bring about a desired end.  His verdict comes from law that is written in a book and (in a supreme stroke of fair play) on our hearts.  Simply put, the cares of this world seem lighter when we remember that there is God who reigns and whose judgment comes from His absolute authority to judge.

Wait, there’s more.  For the believer, God’s judgment is coupled with His mercy and grace.  Yes, our sin is judged, but the repentant heart can obtain mercy for that sin.  This is true mercy, operating with genuine love.  The sin is not explained away or overlooked with an averting of the head and a wink.  The judgment is there, but mercy usurps it. (James 2:13)

So, the mercy and judgment are interwoven.  There are many who resist the very idea of judgment and who are especially resistant to God’s judgment.  Consider this, judgment is necessary.  There can be no mercy without judgment.  Mercy without judgment is without substance.  It is of little value and requires little effort.  Mercy without judgement is deceptive.  If there is no acknowledgment of what the mercy is for, then the act of mercy becomes complicit with the sin.  You see, without undeniable profession of the sin, the sin is still there; but the mercy is all smoke and mirrors. That mercy is useless.

Again, no judgment, no mercy.

At the end of the day, the judgment wielded by the One who has all authority is always just.  Unfortunately, without mercy it is unbearable.  What a blessing that our faith and our belief allow us to have grace and mercy attached to the certainty of judgment.  This is foundational to our eternal hope.

pinterestby feather
Filed Under: Heart of the Matter Tagged With: , ,