Things I Think…
1. I believe that both the church and America are in a historical moment that will define the future for both for years to come.
The current administration has written and adopted policies that are unjust, immoral, and anti-Christ.
These policies directly affect those that the Bible commands us to care for…the poor, the alien, the elderly , children in poverty and those who cannot fully take care of themselves.
Jesus explicitly tells us that those doing or supporting these actions are worthy of hell.
This does not touch on the reality that this president has made cruelty a cause to celebrate and is as outwardly racist as any President since the Civil War.
Because we are at a critical inflection point in both our personal and public faith, I will no longer allow anyone who celebrates or supports this evil any place on this site.
For the first time in 25 years I hope it does become an echo chamber…of people hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
2.“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT-SE)
““Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.”
(Psalm 82:3-4 NLT-SE)
““And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.
“Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God. Yet the LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today. Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.
“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.”
(Deuteronomy 10:12-19 NLT-SE)
““Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”
(Matthew 25:41-45 NLT-SE)
The Bible from the Torah to the Revelation is consistently clear about Gods heart toward the poor and those on the margins of society…and it is clear that He expects our hearts to align with His.
I could fill pages with scriptures just like the ones I posted above.
People will fight me tooth and nail over the inerrancy of Scripture…then act as if none of their inerrant Scriptures apply to any current political circumstances…proving that their appreciation of Scripture is only theoretical…
3. My understanding of the faith is that we are to apply the Word of God to everything in our lives…and when we’re dealing with human beings the command is to begin and end in love. Applying this to the immigration controversies would look something like this…how do we control our borders and address the undocumented population already here with an understanding that they are made in the image of God and deserve respect, decency, and compassion? Anything less puts me at odds with the heart of God…a place I don’t want to be…
5. This is not about politics (except tangentially), it’s about the faith once delivered…politics is simply the cart the devil is driving at the moment. This is about what we believe Scripture and the tradition of the church teaches about loving our neighbor…
6. None of the biblical witnesses lived in anything resembling a democracy…should America continue its decline to fascism, we already have the game plan on how to live in that circumstance…
7. Truth is important…watching the far right twist in the wind over the Epstein files has been a sad and telling display of what happens when conspiracy theories go bad…
8. I’m not going to get to 10 today…just went 13 hours without water or power and the area is basically on fire after storms last night. I’ve got my hands full…
1. Went to Church Sunday in a country vilified for being “Communist”. Some numbers indicate there are more believers of the Christian Faith in this country than in the US. Over 2000 in the congregation….I did not understand the language, but 2 points were made that I saw on my “friends” phone….#1-“we are all sinners”, #2- “repentance” is necessary….simple. No flashy worship singers with ripped jeans…..no acrobatics….but I think when the old hymn “I Surrender All” in language that is universal was being sung, I connected universally with a people of a different color. We were all one….
2. VPN…Virtual Private Network. Must use to access most US sites, even Phoenix. But it is refreshing to not always be connected to what bombards the mind via the internet every waking moment….but got to still see Phoenix…..thanks Michael!!
3. After Sunday service of several thousand, my friend and I who were new and visiting were asked to meet an elder. They clearly had the “Gospel” message printed and walked thru each step to make certain we understood the Christian Faith. Fulfilling the great commission to each and every person. I think the essence of the Faith were present from start to finish….love for one another.
4. At the end of the service, there were tables for communion. Thousands with their hands up, praying silently, taking the Lord’s Supper in unity. And boxes next to each table for a “Benevolence” fund to help the needy.
5. Cats….thousands. There is a large public park where I am staying. The Feral cats are everywhere hiding. At night, there are always large numbers of elderly people that gently walk among the trees with food. The cats….all colors, all sizes…different personalities….gather quietly to eat. Then they quickly disappear. I think our world is similar to the cats….we are one with all colors, sizes and personalities. The food? The gospel!. If only….
6. Over 20 years ago I had a large 2 day project that needed intensive labor. I was unable to hire teenagers, nor other laborers other than those from “south of the border”. They worked side by side with me, hard….receiving good pay….and never complaining. Without them….this project would have been impossible. I think we have failed to recognize how important these “workers” are in areas of agriculture and construction. We have a leader that has never worked this type of job and continues to destroy individuals, families, cultures over his “hatred”.
7. Charles Bowden. “There will be no first hundred days for this future, there will be no five-year plans, There will be no program. Imagine the problem is that we cannot imagine a future where we possess less but are more. Imagine the problem is a future that terrifies us because we lose our machines but gain our feet and pounding hearts. Then what is to be done?” I think giving up all my material possessions to move to this country has allowed my heart to start pounding again but it is a slow grind….
8. Barry McGuire. “You tell me over and over and over again, my friend, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.”
9. Nick Cave. “But if you’re gonna dine with them cannibals, sooner or later, darling, you’re gonna get eaten…
10. I think living in a country with a “so called dictator” that demonstrates incredible dignity on the world stage is hard to wrap my mind around coming from a country with a “dictator” that has absolutely no dignity.
prodinov,
You remain one of the more interesting folks that have come through here.
Thank you for your faithfulness and for giving us all things to think about…
Thank you for this. It needs to be said and said and said again. I often hear people say, “we should live like the first church” to which I reply, “you mean with no political or social influence? With no impact beyond the personal testimony of a life lived by the heart of Christ?”it’s not what they mean but that’s what I believe, that’s exactly how we should live. “By His love they will know we are Christians”
Art,
Thank you…it’s helpful when like minded brethren raise their hands.
” For the first time in 25 years I hope it does become an echo chamber…of people hungering and thirsting for righteousness. ”
I’ve been silently wondering how long till you said that. I’ve been feeling like we constitute part of the remnant….
Owen,
I’m loathe to overstate my own righteousness, but I think you’re right.
We need safe places too…
Michael, you posted..
“People will fight me tooth and nail over the inerrancy of Scripture…then act as if none of their inerrant Scriptures apply to any current political circumstances…proving that their appreciation of Scripture is only theoretical…”
well stated! It’s been a hoot/sad situation watching those Trump supporters bend over backwards and create all sorts of mental and moral gymnastics to give their hate a pass.