The Key To Revival…Maybe…
““So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
(Matthew 5:23-24 NLT-SE)
It is painfully easy in these times of political terror and apostasy in the church to point fingers and blame people for the sorry condition of both church and state.
It is much more difficult to identify our own complicity in the carnage.
I talk a lot about the Sermon On The Mount being the fulcrum of Christian living…yet I fail to obey much of what our Lord spoke to us.
Since the advent of Trump and the Covid controversies we’ve never been more divided…many who were once friends are now adversaries…or worse.
My sin is that I’m quite content with that…I’m reclusive by nature and have never suffered those I consider fools gladly.
What if…we were intentional about obeying Jesus in this matter?
What if…we chose to seek those out who we know we are at odds with?
Would God bless us for our efforts?
I know this…if we all decided to act on this command, most churches would be empty next Sunday as we sought reconciliation with each other.
First, I have to repent for wanting to smack some folks until I’m tired…we have to start somewhere…
I think you’re onto something…
Last night we had a couple speak at our church who live in Israel. They are Arabs who pastor a Christian church in Haifa. Their message of sharing the gospel was so fresh and so needed. It was a call to love in spite of our differences. They live in a world where the anger and hate boil over every day, but they are committed to serving as salt and light to whoever God brings their way.
We have to rise above all the conflict, angst, and rhetoric and learn to love. The kingdoms of this earth fall short every time, and we are fools if we put too much stock in them. Our allegiance has to be to the king of kings. We have to stand for truth, grace, love, justice, and peace.
Light, life, and love. These are the weapons of our war.
PH,
Well said.
There are all manner of complexities here, but I think we have to decide to obey…
I’m happy to reconcile with everyone here if you’ll have me.
Xenia,
It will be as if there was never a problem at all…
Thank you Michael.
It’s really nice to have you back.
I’ve been teaching through the gospel of Matthew on Sunday mornings at our church – and I was struck by something I hadn’t noticed before – that the story of Matthew the tax collector is followed immediately by the story of Jairus, the synagogue leader. We swing from one extreme to the other in terms of respect and place in society. Jesus didn’t just take up the cause of those in the margins – he had compassion on those who held the reigns of power as well. God wants to rescue the oppressed AND the oppressor…and that’s such a hard thing to remember. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Michael – they’ve always been appreciated.
rob j woodrum,
‘God wants to rescue the oppressed AND the oppressor…and that’s such a hard thing to remember. ”
Indeed, but it is key here…and yes, so hard to navigate.
Thank you for the kind words and your contributions here.
Rob J Woodrum,
Your observation is excellent and so appreciated!
I’ve attempted to keep channels open with the folks on both ends of the spectrum (the super-woke and the super-maga). What I am finding is that more and more people seem to be drifting towards the middle as they are not happy with the extremes on either side. Personally, I am working hard on being a good listener. It’s so easy to jump in with my argument because it’s so “important.” I’m finding that listening and reflection very helpful in understanding a position that I personally may not be very thrilled about.
Linn,
Thank you for your consistent, godly example to all of us.
Michael,
I still have lots of growing to do! When people go after immigrants, you can almost see the smoke coming out of my ears. I pray and set the thermostat to “cool.”
I’ve been keeping track of the school shooting today…so sad. Not just an attack on a school, but also on a church and a worship service. We don’t seem to understand that much of what is happening in our culture is perpetuating the violence. I’m looking outside my plate glass windows right now, out to a busy street. Anyone with the right kind of gun could shoot directly into my classroom and hit someone. It’s scary.
I don’t know. I think there is a time for peace and a time for the prophets to speak.
If this isn’t a time for the prophets to be bold, I’ve certainly never seen anything like it in my lifetime.
“Peter, put away your sword.”
So happy to hear from you again Xenia! I pray all is well with you and yours…
Catherine
I am always against violence of any kind.
How do we see our brothers and sisters suffering in Alligator Alcatraz, but then go to dinner with someone wearing the souvenir shirt? Personally, I can’t.
Perhaps it is through a relationship with those we are offended by that we can understand each other better. I’ve failed countless times in my kneejerk reactions to perceived offenses and have / am learning reconciliation is the only way forward with Jesus. My wife supports Trump. My son identifies as a woman. I don’t understand either but I love both. Thank you for the good thoughts all.
Josh,
Alligator Alcatraz will be closing soon, so maybe you won’t see so many of those shirts!
I’m in California where anything and everything happens in the bedroom with anyone/number of people. Staff lunches can get interesting when some of my colleagues begin to discuss their relationships. I have learned to a) listen-knowing how to pray is always important; b) occasionally remove myself from the conversation when it gets too graphic; c) present my own position carefully and politely. It has been a successful way to share the gospel without walking around with a sign. I know that a few of my co-workers find me quaint or outrageously judgmental (you get that all the time even when you are just stating the facts), but most are interested and ask questions. I cling to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and 1 Peter 3:15-
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
I have no problem being a friend to sinners. They are more fun anyway.
I have trouble being a friend to oppressors.
Josh,
I hear all your concerns…I live in the tensions between how I feel and what I understand the Scriptures to be teaching.
This is not easy…there are people who once hung out here that if I sat down with them I’m almost positive a brawl would ensue…and I’d probably be the first to throw hands.
We have and will continue to speak “prophetically”…but we also have to be as obedient to Jesus as possible.
When I first moved to where I live now I started using a little convenience store close by.
It was a little MAGA outpost where the clerks wore obscene comments on tee shirts about Joe Biden and congratulated each other on rude apparel.
My problem was I was too sick to drive any farther, so I had to keep using the place.
One day I wore my “cat dad” tee shirt in there…and it turns out that even some MAGA people like cats.
They know my name now…they like me…I have an opportunity to live out the Gospel in front of them.
I’m, trying to grow into this…I’m not sure how to balance my complete contempt for some with the demands of Scripture…but I have to try.
JoelG,
Choosing love is never a mistake…bless you as you navigate those complicated waters.
Thank you Michael. My life is a complicated mess. But the Creator we worship has brought order to chaos from the beginning and continues to do so in hearts that seek Him.
We serve a God who identifies with the poor and oppressed but also prayed for the forgiveness of the oppressors in the midst of being crucified. Astonishing.
Astonied here also.
We know this is NEVER going to happen, so we are chasing windmills here. I increasingly see Christianity and all other religions as an ancestral crutch our Neolithic and Bronze Ages ancestors used to try and explain the world around them. I might as well believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all it will do to society or help the religions’ followers become decent human beings. In many ways, it makes them worse, because in their mind they have divine sanction, a get of jail (or hell) free card to be complete assholes and despicable human beings. The past 10 years has certainly shown that.
“Man is kind enough when he is not excited by religion” – Mark Twain
“I increasingly see Christianity and all other religions as an ancestral crutch our Neolithic and Bronze Ages ancestors used to try and explain the world around them.”
Religion and cultural myths have always done this; it is also why many turn to “science” as their means to explain why they exist and what the future may hold.
The difference is the stories in the bible are more about human life and existence in the world. The whole beginning of the story is the self-centered nature of humans. Given the correct way of living together the individual tends to choose himself.
In my opinion the doctrine of salvation is more about self than it is about living in the world we are born into. “You know I don’t want to go to Hell, so I better sign the fire insurance contract and believe in Jesus.”
Isn’t it amazing when Jesus describes Love and what it means. He lived it out and just maybe the message isn’t about personal salvation but rather personal sacrifice and following His teachings.
And I find that really hard to do.
I put a little less emphasis on do, and a greater emphasis on done.
Catharine! It’s so good to read your words!
I am doing well, trying to gracefully morph into old-lady-hood. It’s going well. My husband had a difficult summer but after a few surgeries he’s as good as new, glory to God. Our little parish is growing at an amazing rate which astounds and humbles us all. May it be blessed.
Our dog is adorable, our cat is fat and the chickens are in fine feather.
As for my participation here on the blog, who knows. I don’t exactly disagree with much that is said here but I am not full of anger about anything. I love and admire everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, even if I think they have become side-tracked in some areas. God knows their hearts.
So nice of you to remember me, Catharine! God bless you.
-Xenia
Something that helps some people navigate difficult times have benefited from reading classic literature. I am working my way through a list of the 100 greatest books and it really givers perspective on the ways people cope with terrible times. I am not a deep thinker so it benefits me to read the thoughts of deep thinkers.
Re Xenia’s post, I also find it helpful to read/listen to Christian thinkers who are outside of the United States. We can become so narrow in our perspectives.
I think the next pieces of Classical Literature I will read will be the following:
1) A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift
2) The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
2) The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
It’s on my list as well.
Xenia, it is good to see you. I ah e nothing but respect and admiration for you, and hope you are doing well.
I had to recite in Olde English the first few lines written by Chaucer in high school for English Lit.
My favorite was German Lit, the Sorrows of Werther I believe.
French, not so much. Hated it.
Along with some ribald tales that I can’t remember for the life of me, except for the monk? Who hires a prostitute not for sex but only for the chance to witness to her.
Like the Legend of Turk, who slugs cops so he can witness to prisoners in jail. My hero.
I am considering unfollowing a few rabid anti-Trump Facebook’ers. Despite lots of agreement, I simply cannot ignore Christ’s commands to love others (in and out of the Church) and sometimes these pages make me want to take a swing (literally or figuratively) at Trump supporters.
This is where my mileage is at.
It is a strong and difficult tension that exists in wanting to follow Christ and his commands to love others.
Does Beowulf count as Old English lit? Read it in high school. I want to trudge through Dostoevsky books, but I am much more of a visual person than reader.
Good seeing you back Xenia.
Even though we don’t agree on everything, it’s community that counts.
Thanks, Muff. I don’t actually know what I think about various global and national issues these days. Heart goes one way; brain goes the other.
Beowulf is definitely Old English, but Chaucer is Middle English. Shakespeare and the KJV Bible are (early) Modern English.
Here’s how you can tell: If you can’t read a word of it and it looks like a completely foreign language, it’s Old English. If you can almost read it and with a little coaching can read it pretty well, it’s probably Middle English. (This includes, Chaucer, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and the Morte D’Arthur. Sir Gawain is pretty hard, though.) If you can read it quite well even while pretending you can’t, it’s Modern English.
We are not supposed to call Old English “Anglo Saxon” these days.
For folks wanting to read Dostoyevsky, I recommend starting with The Brothers Karamazov. It’s a murder mystery. You’ll like it.
Thanks Xenia…it’s already on my bookshelf…The Brothers Karamazov…not Beowulf.
Hi Josh, it’s good to see you, too. I am fascinated by your current journey in life.
Hi Xenia,
I loved reading The Brothers K. It also is a reflection on the three parts of the soul.