Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
American Exceptionalism and Christian Responsibilities as Citizens
The following piece was written by the Chief of Staff of Life Action Ministries (where I have the privilege of working). Though it was written yesterday, I really wanted share it. If you haven't voted yet, may it be a reminder to get out there and exercise your rights. If you have already cast your votes, then may it be an encouragemnt that you still have the freedom, and pray that God will guide and direct in the days ahead. Thanks, BG, for this well-written article! Blessings!
Good morning,
As you have heard ad nauseam, tomorrow is Election Day. Depending on people’s particular political views it could possibly be “historic” or “disastrous”. I am not sure of either, however, I am sure of this fact – as citizens of this country we have a duty to participate in the electoral process.
More importantly, as Christians, seeking to impact this world for Christ, we have an even greater obligation to participate in the process of selecting the leaders of our communities, state, and federal government.
If you are like most, you are probably weary of the ads, the empty promises, the outright lies and may have become cynical about the whole process. Like many others, you may be tempted to just “opt out” of the whole electoral process as you may feel it doesn’t matter anyway. Please don’t fall victim to this lie – it does matter.
It seems popular in some evangelical circles to disdain the political process and to not participate as it is “messy” and “unspiritual”. That seems odd to me as I believe that as Christians, we are called to enter into the “mess” of this world caused by sin and to be an instrument of Christ’s redeeming work. To me, that includes the “mess” that has evolved from sinful man’s implementation of our biblically based system of governance.
Additionally, it is a matter of stewardship in my opinion. Contrary to a somewhat popular trend in contemporary evangelical thought, I do believe in American exceptionalism – the thought that America does occupy a special or unique position among the nations of this world. America or American ideals, is not “the answer” – only Jesus is the answer. However, God saw fit to bring about this great experiment in governance called America with the three branches being a biblical concept. Just a cursory glance at history will show that only by God’s supernatural intervention was this country established as its beginning and survival was highly improbable in human terms. The reason for this, in my opinion, was not so that we would live lives of ease or that we are somehow “special”, but that for whatever reason, the Lord decided to use this nation to glorify Him and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the world. We are stewards of that mission for this nation.
We have often been poor stewards of the mission and purpose He intended for this nation. We so imperfectly implemented this form of governance. For much of our early history we enslaved a whole class of people, for much of our early history we denied full citizenship to other classes of people such as the Irish, the Chinese, women, and many others. However, much of that has changed and it has most often been Christians at the forefront of that change seeking to confront the injustice in our own country. We have often drifted away from Him as we are doing now, but in the past, in His loving mercy, He has drawn us back to Him. We are praying for Him to do so once again.
While often in a clumsy and very imperfect manner, this country has been a force for justice and good in this world. More importantly, the Lord has used this country in a mighty way to spread the fame and glory of His Name across the globe. As followers of Jesus, whom He placed in this particular nation, we have the undeniable responsibility of stewardship to participate in the selection of our leaders under the guidance of His Spirit. To not do so, is an abdication of our responsibilities as Christians and as citizens.
So, prayerfully seek the Lord for His guidance and do your duty tomorrow – for His glory and His alone.
Good morning,
As you have heard ad nauseam, tomorrow is Election Day. Depending on people’s particular political views it could possibly be “historic” or “disastrous”. I am not sure of either, however, I am sure of this fact – as citizens of this country we have a duty to participate in the electoral process.
More importantly, as Christians, seeking to impact this world for Christ, we have an even greater obligation to participate in the process of selecting the leaders of our communities, state, and federal government.
If you are like most, you are probably weary of the ads, the empty promises, the outright lies and may have become cynical about the whole process. Like many others, you may be tempted to just “opt out” of the whole electoral process as you may feel it doesn’t matter anyway. Please don’t fall victim to this lie – it does matter.
It seems popular in some evangelical circles to disdain the political process and to not participate as it is “messy” and “unspiritual”. That seems odd to me as I believe that as Christians, we are called to enter into the “mess” of this world caused by sin and to be an instrument of Christ’s redeeming work. To me, that includes the “mess” that has evolved from sinful man’s implementation of our biblically based system of governance.
Additionally, it is a matter of stewardship in my opinion. Contrary to a somewhat popular trend in contemporary evangelical thought, I do believe in American exceptionalism – the thought that America does occupy a special or unique position among the nations of this world. America or American ideals, is not “the answer” – only Jesus is the answer. However, God saw fit to bring about this great experiment in governance called America with the three branches being a biblical concept. Just a cursory glance at history will show that only by God’s supernatural intervention was this country established as its beginning and survival was highly improbable in human terms. The reason for this, in my opinion, was not so that we would live lives of ease or that we are somehow “special”, but that for whatever reason, the Lord decided to use this nation to glorify Him and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the world. We are stewards of that mission for this nation.
We have often been poor stewards of the mission and purpose He intended for this nation. We so imperfectly implemented this form of governance. For much of our early history we enslaved a whole class of people, for much of our early history we denied full citizenship to other classes of people such as the Irish, the Chinese, women, and many others. However, much of that has changed and it has most often been Christians at the forefront of that change seeking to confront the injustice in our own country. We have often drifted away from Him as we are doing now, but in the past, in His loving mercy, He has drawn us back to Him. We are praying for Him to do so once again.
While often in a clumsy and very imperfect manner, this country has been a force for justice and good in this world. More importantly, the Lord has used this country in a mighty way to spread the fame and glory of His Name across the globe. As followers of Jesus, whom He placed in this particular nation, we have the undeniable responsibility of stewardship to participate in the selection of our leaders under the guidance of His Spirit. To not do so, is an abdication of our responsibilities as Christians and as citizens.
So, prayerfully seek the Lord for His guidance and do your duty tomorrow – for His glory and His alone.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Psalm 139
I stand in awe at the awesome works and amazing character of my God! Who am I to question how His hand is working in my life, or what His plans are for the future? He is a sovereign God, yet a personal Father... I can rest in His omniscence, omnipotence, and omnipresence!
The following video needs no further explanation:
The following video needs no further explanation:
Friday, September 18, 2009
"Waiting is SO hard to do!"
"The Marshmallow Test"
I just laughed when I watched the above video! It combined two of my favorite things: children and marshmallows! I loved watching the expressions of those kids, and could feel their agony as they had to wait for something that they wanted SO badly! I could also feel their relief when their time was finally up, and they were rewarded for their patience!! The experience of observing the "test" was just priceless!
Wow, I couldn't help but apply this principle to my own life... So often in the situations of my life, I have something right in front of me that I want so badly, but I know that the timing of it may not be best... In fact, the thing itself (position, relationship, possession, etc.) may not be a bad thing, but it may not be God's VERY best at the time... HE calls me to WAIT on Him... and when I do, He promises that He will bless (two"marshmallows" instead of one :).
Do I have the self-control to "wait" when God calls me to do that? Do I have the "patience"? (See the fruit of the Spirit-- Galatians 5:22) Even when I feel like taking matters into my own hands, do I have FAITH that is greater than my FEELINGS? When I've prayed for a specific request, and I don't get a immediate "yes" or "no", do I get impatient, or do I hold out (by His grace), and wait until He does come back with an answer? Do I TRUST God that He will do what is best for HIS GLORY and MY GOOD? Wow... hard questions to answer... What about you?
It is SO hard to wait when we think we know what is best (eating that 1st marshmallow), or when we feel like it's what we need (smelling that 1st marshmallow and wanting to put it in our mouth). However, we must remember that God keeps His Word, and if we love Him and desire to obey Him, it is worth doing it GOD's WAY! Besides, who knows all the blessings He has in store?!? They are better than all the "marshmallows" I could ever wait for! :)
"The LORD is good to those who wait for him,to the soul who seeks Him."~Lamentations 3:25
Friday, September 11, 2009
DETOURS, ROAD BLOCKS and ONE-WAY streets!!
Yesterday was full of adventure... I must say that I didn't consider the experiences as "adventure" at the time. In one day I faced 2 detours, one road barricade and multiple one-way streets. Ok, to sum up my thoughts in the midst: "AAAHHH"! :(
To make matters worse, I think I'm the only person who can get lost using a GPS. (Yes, I know my bro and bro-in-law are laughing, but hey, it's true). If you can relate, can you please let me know? Oh well, I know I need great guidance!!
I think I went at least 30 miles out of my way in the course of the day, and my frustration level was a roller coaster ride. I did not think it was a fun experience.
HOWEVER, after all was said and done, I began reflecting on my experiences... Symbolically, I was reminded of the many "detours and road blocks" that I've been facing in my life. Plans and "routes" that I thought were headed a certain way, yet I have faced obvious barricades or obstacles. I have felt frustrated so often at the time, but then I am so powerfully reminded that these "detours" are no surprise to God. He KNOWS and ALLOWS things to happen that seem out of my control for my good and HIS GLORY!!!
Ok, back to last night's experience... so around 11:15 p.m., I came to those barricades in the road... it seems like they appeared out of NO WHERE! NO warning at all! (or at least I didn't think I had seen any). After turning around multiple times, my headlights flashed on an orange sign... "BRIDGE OUT"... "WHAT??!!?" I thought. And to think I was tempted to try squeezing through the barricades? (no, I wouldn't have... it was just a fleeting thought in the midst of my impatience). It was then that I realized that that ROAD BLOCK was for my own safety!! And... after calling a friend who saved the day, I came safely to a familiar road by way of a route that had once been unknown to me.
And what song came on the radio as I was re-routing my destination? "Bless the LORD" !! I was able to sing along and remember the beauty of blessing the Lord even in the midst of my confusion! What a freeing thought and awesome reminder that I can REST and BLESS!
God will lead me through the "detours" of my life. He will guide me around the barricades and obstacles to safety, and re-route me to the plan that is most glorifying to HIM!!
As HIS children, are we thanking HIM for those unplanned, frustrating times in our lives? Is our perspective in line with HIS?
"Thank you, Lord, for your guidance! Thank you for your sovereign plan in our lives! Give us your grace to embrace the "road blocks" and to obey the "detours"!
"As for God, HIS WAY is perfect. The Word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in HIM." ~Psalm 18:30
Welcome!
Welcome to my page... FINALLY! I have wanted to do this for a LONG time! Now, with the inspiration of many friends, I am now excited to join the blog world! This is a place where I will share updates of God's amazing work in my my ministry and life, as well as everyday musings... So here goes!
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