There aren't many December mornings that I get to spend time on the deck. Today is peculiar in that this morning's temperature is the warmest of the day and the day will be getting colder as it progresses.
Speaking of progress...
I've been considering religion a lot lately and I am wondering if questioning ones beliefs is a mark of a strong faith or a weak one. I really don't expect everybody's faith journey to be like mine, but I wonder about people that have no faith journey -- only a faith that remains the same for year after year and decade after decade.
Nothing is challenged.
Nothing is questioned.
We believe what we have been taught without examination.
Nothing changes.
Is that faith?
It sounds more like indoctrination.
I've said it before and I will say it again:
The farther I got from religion, the closer I got to God.
My path is not your path.
But maybe you would benefit from challenging what you have been taught.
Check sources.
Check the origins of the stories that your faith is based on.
Question everything.
Or don't.
If you are happy in your current state, be happy.
If your happiness is dependent on you condemning others, then you have a weird faith and a strange god.
John
Showing posts with label religious freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious freedom. Show all posts
Thursday, December 18, 2025
December Deck Time and Thursday Theology
Thursday, October 02, 2025
Thursday Theology
I know -- this meme over simplifies the issue of religious control over its adherents. That's kind of what memes do. They are not comprehensive thoughts; just brief bits to make you think.
So let's think about it.
Although only three characters are mentioned, there are four men pictured. I am guessing that the fourth is representative of the Jewish religion and is supposed to be Moses. I don't know that. It's just an assumption on my part and an apparent afterthought of the meme creator.
I have read the teachings of some Buddhist monks and teachers.
I have read the gospels and the teachings of the New Testament.
I have not read the Quran nor many Islamic teachings. I probably need to.
As a follower of Jesus, I do need constant reminders of what he taught. Reading and understanding what he taught versus hearing what religious leaders have to say about it is often tricky and contradictory.
Many of the teachings of the Buddha and Jesus are very similar. As I have said, I don't really know much about the teachings of Mohammed.
There are many more people that have influenced large and small sections of humanity with philosophies of how to live with one another. Some (like Buddhism) tend to be more philosophical than religious. And there are, of course, humanists that are more focused on using science, reason, and compassion to live ethically and achieve the best by everybody making contributions to living in society and community with one another.
The Christianity of most of my life taught me to believe certain things, say certain things, and to judge people and life based on what eternal reward or punishment one might receive after death. But as I read the gospels without the controlling bullshit of religion, I find that the teachings of Jesus are more about how we should live with one another daily than they are about what happens when we die.
There is a derogatory saying about Christians being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good that brings that thought to reality. Following Jesus today (for me) is more about how I live and love today and less about what is going to happen when I die.
Even my concern for others today is more about how they live and love (and even hate) today than it is about what will happen to them when they die.
What would happen if we were less worried about what happens after death and more concerned with the world we live in today?
I hope that whatever guides your life will lead you to live well -- today.
I hope that it will lead you to love well -- today.
John
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Books
It looks like I'm on pace to finish around 50 books this year. I just finished The Knowledge Machine. It's a book about scientific method and how we have advanced in science to this point. Compared to the history of humankind, modern science methods are relatively young. It was an interesting book, but definitely not a page turner.
While at the library to return it and one other book (Life Maps which I wrote about here), I ordered a book that my friend and fellow blogger Mike posted a few days ago. It sounded like an interesting read so I'm waiting for my local library to get it from one of its neighbors.
I'm currently finishing up This Life or the Next by Demian Vitanza. It's a novel about a young man's radicalization into the violence of the Muslim holy wars. I find it interesting because while the Middle Eastern Muslim world has been engaged in violence for millennia, western Christianity has stepped away from it in the past hundred years or so. It is easy to see the scenarios where contemporary and radical American Christians would again (and in some cases are) take up arms and declare their own holy war. I think the only thing that has prevented it in the US is the separation of church and state. If we were to allow the government to be a religious government, we would see the violent divisions within the Christian faith as well as the fighting with those of other beliefs.
It is terrifying to see how easily our minds and core beliefs can be manipulated by the people we are supposed to trust.
Be a skeptic.
Question every thing.
And read.
What are you reading?
John
Monday, June 25, 2018
Who is my neighbor?
The Gospel of Luke -- according to John (that's me).
If you were at church with me on Sunday morning or if we were having a simple conversation, I would probably use the more familiar title of Story-time with Pastor John.
As it is, I'll try to lay this simple story out the way I would tell it in preaching or in conversation. It's a story that most people have heard in some form or fashion. If you'd rather read it for yourself, you'll find it in the tenth chapter of the Gospel According to Luke.
Jesus is doing his thing and teaching about how we should live and a lawyer (probably a Pharisee since they were the ones that were all about living by the 613 laws of the Torah) asks the simple question, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered, "You're a lawyer. What does the Law say?"
The lawyer responds with an answer that Jesus has given, "Love God with everything you've got and love your neighbor as yourself."
Bingo!
Jesus says, "That's right! Do it and you'll live!"
Although the answer seems simple enough, the lawyer asks for some clarity. I mean if we're talking about eternal life, we need to make sure of the details, right?
So the lawyer asks, "Who is my neighbor?"
That's when Jesus tells his story:
There was a man that went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. While on the way, he fell among thieves that beat him, took his clothes and all of his belongings, and left him badly beaten and bloodied at the side of the road. A priest passed by but saw the man and passed by without stopping. Later, a servant of the temple passed by, looked at the man and then crossed over to the other side of the road and continued on.
Finally, a man of Samaria passed by and took care of the beaten man. He cleaned and bound his wounds, and transported him to a nearby town. He left him in the care of a local townsman and paid for his care. He also promised to return to pay for any additional charges.
Then Jesus asked, "Which man was the neighbor to the man that had been robbed?"
It's a no brainer, but even the lawyer's answer reveals something about the story. He said, "The man that showed mercy."
And Jesus said, "Yep! You be that guy!"
It's pretty easy to read that, glean a simple lesson about being kind to strangers and move on.
But there is much more to the command "You be that guy!" than just be kind to others.
The Samaritans were a people of mixed race and despised by the Jews.
To understand why this was so, one needs to go back to the divided kingdoms and the rebuilding of the southern kingdom at Jerusalem. Those Jews felt that they had kept their race pure while the northern kingdom (Samaria) had lived with their captors, intermarried with them, and corrupted the Jewish way of life. The Samaritans were considered to be unclean, unholy, and a people to be avoided and despised.
When Jesus asked, "Who was the neighbor?" the lawyer didn't even acknowledge the man's race. He simply said, "The man that showed mercy." It's like he purposely avoided saying the Samaritan was the good guy.
And the command of Jesus wasn't to show mercy to people you don't like. It was to show mercy, even to people that don't like you!
This Samaritan traveler stopped to care for a man that would likely have left him to die if their positions were reversed. Even the priest and Levite (servant of the temple) wouldn't stop to help one of their own. A person's dislike for us is no excuse for our treating them poorly.
There are many people that are applauding the actions of a DC restaurant owner that asked the White House press secretary to leave based on the poor morals of the current Administration.
Some say that they (the White House staff) deserve it.
Many say that if a baker can refuse to bake a cake based on moral differences, a restaurant owner should be able to refuse service based on moral differences.
I think that Jesus would hold us to a higher standard. I'm pretty sure that he would tell us to love those that hate us, to be kind to those that are unkind to us, and to show mercy to those that disagree with us.
I wonder how different things would be if the owner of the restaurant had taken Ms. Sanders aside and said, "Listen, I want you to know that I really disagree with what is being done by your boss. I honestly don't know how you can work for him and do the things you do. Having said that, I want to thank you for choosing to eat in my restaurant and I hope that you and your party enjoy your meal and choose to comeback in the future."
Martin Luther put it this way --
"The Christian shoemaker does his duty, not by putting little crosses on shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship"
How we treat others shouldn't have anything to do with how they treat us.
Ms Sanders comment about the owner's actions saying more about the owner than about her were spot on.
It's funny how easy it is to see the right and wrong of the actions of others and how difficult it is to see our own misdeeds.
Who is my neighbor?
You are.
You are even if we disagree ...
on religion
on politics
on social issues
on civil rights
on economy.
You are my neighbor based on my choice to follow Jesus.
You are my neighbor even if you don't consider me to be your neighbor.
sigh
This following Jesus thing can be difficult.
Please be patient with me.
John <><
If you were at church with me on Sunday morning or if we were having a simple conversation, I would probably use the more familiar title of Story-time with Pastor John.
As it is, I'll try to lay this simple story out the way I would tell it in preaching or in conversation. It's a story that most people have heard in some form or fashion. If you'd rather read it for yourself, you'll find it in the tenth chapter of the Gospel According to Luke.
Jesus is doing his thing and teaching about how we should live and a lawyer (probably a Pharisee since they were the ones that were all about living by the 613 laws of the Torah) asks the simple question, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered, "You're a lawyer. What does the Law say?"
The lawyer responds with an answer that Jesus has given, "Love God with everything you've got and love your neighbor as yourself."
Bingo!
Jesus says, "That's right! Do it and you'll live!"
Although the answer seems simple enough, the lawyer asks for some clarity. I mean if we're talking about eternal life, we need to make sure of the details, right?
So the lawyer asks, "Who is my neighbor?"
That's when Jesus tells his story:
There was a man that went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. While on the way, he fell among thieves that beat him, took his clothes and all of his belongings, and left him badly beaten and bloodied at the side of the road. A priest passed by but saw the man and passed by without stopping. Later, a servant of the temple passed by, looked at the man and then crossed over to the other side of the road and continued on.
Finally, a man of Samaria passed by and took care of the beaten man. He cleaned and bound his wounds, and transported him to a nearby town. He left him in the care of a local townsman and paid for his care. He also promised to return to pay for any additional charges.
Then Jesus asked, "Which man was the neighbor to the man that had been robbed?"
It's a no brainer, but even the lawyer's answer reveals something about the story. He said, "The man that showed mercy."
And Jesus said, "Yep! You be that guy!"
It's pretty easy to read that, glean a simple lesson about being kind to strangers and move on.
But there is much more to the command "You be that guy!" than just be kind to others.
The Samaritans were a people of mixed race and despised by the Jews.
To understand why this was so, one needs to go back to the divided kingdoms and the rebuilding of the southern kingdom at Jerusalem. Those Jews felt that they had kept their race pure while the northern kingdom (Samaria) had lived with their captors, intermarried with them, and corrupted the Jewish way of life. The Samaritans were considered to be unclean, unholy, and a people to be avoided and despised.
When Jesus asked, "Who was the neighbor?" the lawyer didn't even acknowledge the man's race. He simply said, "The man that showed mercy." It's like he purposely avoided saying the Samaritan was the good guy.
And the command of Jesus wasn't to show mercy to people you don't like. It was to show mercy, even to people that don't like you!
This Samaritan traveler stopped to care for a man that would likely have left him to die if their positions were reversed. Even the priest and Levite (servant of the temple) wouldn't stop to help one of their own. A person's dislike for us is no excuse for our treating them poorly.
There are many people that are applauding the actions of a DC restaurant owner that asked the White House press secretary to leave based on the poor morals of the current Administration.
Some say that they (the White House staff) deserve it.
Many say that if a baker can refuse to bake a cake based on moral differences, a restaurant owner should be able to refuse service based on moral differences.
I think that Jesus would hold us to a higher standard. I'm pretty sure that he would tell us to love those that hate us, to be kind to those that are unkind to us, and to show mercy to those that disagree with us.
I wonder how different things would be if the owner of the restaurant had taken Ms. Sanders aside and said, "Listen, I want you to know that I really disagree with what is being done by your boss. I honestly don't know how you can work for him and do the things you do. Having said that, I want to thank you for choosing to eat in my restaurant and I hope that you and your party enjoy your meal and choose to comeback in the future."
Martin Luther put it this way --
"The Christian shoemaker does his duty, not by putting little crosses on shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship"
How we treat others shouldn't have anything to do with how they treat us.
Ms Sanders comment about the owner's actions saying more about the owner than about her were spot on.
It's funny how easy it is to see the right and wrong of the actions of others and how difficult it is to see our own misdeeds.
Who is my neighbor?
You are.
You are even if we disagree ...
on religion
on politics
on social issues
on civil rights
on economy.
You are my neighbor based on my choice to follow Jesus.
You are my neighbor even if you don't consider me to be your neighbor.
sigh
This following Jesus thing can be difficult.
Please be patient with me.
John <><
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
What Would Jesus Do?
WWJD?
It used to be a thing.
You used to see it everywhere -- t-shirts, caps, bracelets, bumper stickers.
It isn't as much of a thing now -- not as a slogan, not in wearable merchandise, and certainly not in a way of practicing the Christian life.
Nope. We're pretty much back to doing what we want to do, hating whom we want to hate, making excuses for whomever we choose and then using our profession of Christian faith to justify our un-Christlike actions.
I often wonder how Christians in the US have become so fearful. I've read numerous articles on how the American Christian is being persecuted and is a dying breed. I really don't see the persecution and can't say that I've experienced any. I'm not saying that it's easy, nor am I saying that it is without its trials and objections. I am saying that I've been pretty free about being able to worship the god of my choosing, to worship God as I choose, and to be able to do so without infringement by those that worship a different god or no god at all.
When I see our religious leaders choosing political sides, promoting fear, and being divisive; I always wonder about their faith, first (since we are not given a spirit of fear) and their motives, second.
And I ask myself, "What would Jesus do?"
Somehow, I don't see Jesus as the kind of guy that would endorse a political party.
I can't even see him as a religious adviser to an elected official.
I don't imagine that he would ever be giving the inaugural invocation or speaking at a National Day of Prayer breakfast event.
I think we would find Jesus doing what Jesus did -- giving hope to the hopeless.
We would be more likely to find Jesus with the homeless than at a political fundraiser.
He would be ministering to the sick rather than stumping for or against a party's healthcare plan.
He would be with society's castaways -- the poor, the orphaned, the abandoned spouse, the refugee, the immigrant, etc. -- not with the elite deal makers and politicians.
And yes, I believe Jesus would admonish those that use their religious positions to advocate for a political party rather than to spread the message of God's love for all of humankind.
In truth, I haven't been very good about either -- not about being politically active as a US citizen, nor about being active as an ambassador of Jesus. As a matter of fact, I've begun to question my role as follower of Jesus. What, exactly, have I been peddling? Am I selling people a religion -- complete with all of its man made rules and regulations, or am I giving them hope in Jesus? Am I doing what Jesus would do or am I saying and doing what a religion says I should say and do?
I think I have been given a time to pause and consider these things so that I can better serve my God and Savior. I am torn. Part of me is still drawn to parts of the religion thing, but the rest of me despises what religion has become. Within the religious family it's all hugs and family like, but from the outside it's like an impenetrable private club where only the chosen few can be members. I feel like the rebellious child that wants everyone to know the love I've known and is being disciplined for wanting undesirables to join the club.
And so I have to ask myself --
What would Jesus do?
I'll let you know if I figure it out.
John <><
It used to be a thing.
You used to see it everywhere -- t-shirts, caps, bracelets, bumper stickers.
It isn't as much of a thing now -- not as a slogan, not in wearable merchandise, and certainly not in a way of practicing the Christian life.
Nope. We're pretty much back to doing what we want to do, hating whom we want to hate, making excuses for whomever we choose and then using our profession of Christian faith to justify our un-Christlike actions.
I often wonder how Christians in the US have become so fearful. I've read numerous articles on how the American Christian is being persecuted and is a dying breed. I really don't see the persecution and can't say that I've experienced any. I'm not saying that it's easy, nor am I saying that it is without its trials and objections. I am saying that I've been pretty free about being able to worship the god of my choosing, to worship God as I choose, and to be able to do so without infringement by those that worship a different god or no god at all.
When I see our religious leaders choosing political sides, promoting fear, and being divisive; I always wonder about their faith, first (since we are not given a spirit of fear) and their motives, second.
And I ask myself, "What would Jesus do?"
Somehow, I don't see Jesus as the kind of guy that would endorse a political party.
I can't even see him as a religious adviser to an elected official.
I don't imagine that he would ever be giving the inaugural invocation or speaking at a National Day of Prayer breakfast event.
I think we would find Jesus doing what Jesus did -- giving hope to the hopeless.
We would be more likely to find Jesus with the homeless than at a political fundraiser.
He would be ministering to the sick rather than stumping for or against a party's healthcare plan.
He would be with society's castaways -- the poor, the orphaned, the abandoned spouse, the refugee, the immigrant, etc. -- not with the elite deal makers and politicians.
And yes, I believe Jesus would admonish those that use their religious positions to advocate for a political party rather than to spread the message of God's love for all of humankind.
In truth, I haven't been very good about either -- not about being politically active as a US citizen, nor about being active as an ambassador of Jesus. As a matter of fact, I've begun to question my role as follower of Jesus. What, exactly, have I been peddling? Am I selling people a religion -- complete with all of its man made rules and regulations, or am I giving them hope in Jesus? Am I doing what Jesus would do or am I saying and doing what a religion says I should say and do?
I think I have been given a time to pause and consider these things so that I can better serve my God and Savior. I am torn. Part of me is still drawn to parts of the religion thing, but the rest of me despises what religion has become. Within the religious family it's all hugs and family like, but from the outside it's like an impenetrable private club where only the chosen few can be members. I feel like the rebellious child that wants everyone to know the love I've known and is being disciplined for wanting undesirables to join the club.
And so I have to ask myself --
What would Jesus do?
I'll let you know if I figure it out.
John <><
Monday, February 15, 2016
Making Religion Small
I've noticed that religion is getting a lot of play time lately.
It is big in the politics of those that are running for office. It plays big in the social issues of the day. It is big on social media feeds.
And in some ways, I suppose it should.
But I think that I am going to start making religion small -- at least for me.
I've noticed that religion has become more of a tool for manipulating others into a desired type of behavior than a means of bringing about a change in our own hearts and attitudes.
I am going to look for the little things that I can change in my own life and walk with Jesus so that I can become a better person -- more like Jesus.
A week after challenging a church to share the message -- God loves you and Jesus died for you! -- on a weekly basis, I have to admit my own failure. It wasn't as if I didn't have a couple of good conversations about Jesus and his teachings throughout the week; just no opportunities for that that exchange with an unbeliever.
I even had a couple of good conversations about what it is to be a follower of Jesus -- one with a believer and one with a non-believer.
In the past, I've mentioned that I am a poor ambassador for my Lord and Savior Jesus.
That needs to change.
If I am (we are) to be ambassadors for the Kingdom, then I (we) need to realize that I always have the role of representing the King. It has to be my full time vocation. Being His ambassador has to become who I am, not what I do.
When representing Jesus is what I do, it makes it too easy to just stop doing.
When representing Jesus is who I am, then I can only stop representing Jesus when I stop being.
I think that we (Christians) need to stop worrying about how other people practice our religion and only concern ourselves with how we live out our own faith.
I do believe that living out the Christian faith means telling others about Jesus.
I will continue to spread the message, "God loves you and Jesus died for you."
I will gladly teach what He taught (make disciples) so that others can grow to be more like Jesus.
But I will allow others to live out their faith as I work to live out my own.
My religion will be about how I follow Jesus and not about how others live.
In the grand scheme, that does make my religion seem small.
But in my little world, it has just become very big.
It has become everything!
John <><
It is big in the politics of those that are running for office. It plays big in the social issues of the day. It is big on social media feeds.
And in some ways, I suppose it should.
But I think that I am going to start making religion small -- at least for me.
I've noticed that religion has become more of a tool for manipulating others into a desired type of behavior than a means of bringing about a change in our own hearts and attitudes.
I am going to look for the little things that I can change in my own life and walk with Jesus so that I can become a better person -- more like Jesus.
A week after challenging a church to share the message -- God loves you and Jesus died for you! -- on a weekly basis, I have to admit my own failure. It wasn't as if I didn't have a couple of good conversations about Jesus and his teachings throughout the week; just no opportunities for that that exchange with an unbeliever.
I even had a couple of good conversations about what it is to be a follower of Jesus -- one with a believer and one with a non-believer.
In the past, I've mentioned that I am a poor ambassador for my Lord and Savior Jesus.
That needs to change.
If I am (we are) to be ambassadors for the Kingdom, then I (we) need to realize that I always have the role of representing the King. It has to be my full time vocation. Being His ambassador has to become who I am, not what I do.
When representing Jesus is what I do, it makes it too easy to just stop doing.
When representing Jesus is who I am, then I can only stop representing Jesus when I stop being.
I think that we (Christians) need to stop worrying about how other people practice our religion and only concern ourselves with how we live out our own faith.
I do believe that living out the Christian faith means telling others about Jesus.
I will continue to spread the message, "God loves you and Jesus died for you."
I will gladly teach what He taught (make disciples) so that others can grow to be more like Jesus.
But I will allow others to live out their faith as I work to live out my own.
My religion will be about how I follow Jesus and not about how others live.
In the grand scheme, that does make my religion seem small.
But in my little world, it has just become very big.
It has become everything!
John <><
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Think before you speak; then just keep quiet!
Long gone are the days when a person can simply forget the stupid things they've said or done and move on. Gone are the days when we can distort the truth without somebody "fact checking" our content and accuracy.
While these are well known bits of information, one has to wonder at the competency of those that we elect to serve as public representatives of our government. Politicians want everything they say to be heard, but seem to forget that it is also recorded. It's pretty hard to claim that you never said something when it can be played back for you (and yet, they do this anyways).
I've been blogging for going on ten years now.
I have changed my thinking on some things and have said things that I would no longer defend. That happens over a lifetime. We learn new facts. Our perceptions change. We gain experience and wisdom. We change and sometimes we change our minds.
I'm certain that I believed whatever I wrote at the time I wrote it. That doesn't mean that an older (and hopefully wiser) John still believes or agrees with the younger me.
And that's okay.
I think that anybody that runs for public office is a little crazy. I can't imagine having to answer for everything that I've done in a public forum. The person that you see today isn't the same as the twenty-something kid that would smoke a little pot and get throwing up drunk on occasion. My best defense of some of the stupid things I've done would probably be to just admit that I was once a stupid, immature kid and move on.
In an era where everything that you say is recorded and judged, it seems it would be best to say very little and to only speak words that have been well thought out in advance. I'm glad that few people care about what I say or think. It makes it a lot easier to say nothing when nothing is expected ... and still, great care should be taken before I speak.
I am often surprised at the impact of words that I have spoken or deeds that I have done. There have been times that I later found out that my simple words moved someone and had a positive impact. It makes me fearful and careful for words or deeds that may have a negative impact.
People sometimes think that blunt honesty is a good trait. I used to be that way -- one of those "at least you know where I stand" kind of people. I no longer think that is a good thing. There are some things that we should keep to ourselves.
One of the things that I have learned in the past few years is this:
While as an American I enjoy freedom of speech, as a follower of Jesus, I do not.
There are things that I may have a right to say, but saying them may not be beneficial to anybody and may not glorify God.
There are pastors that are Republicans that keep Democrats (or liberals as they call them) from coming to their churches by the things that they say and post in social forums. Where will they learn about Jesus?
There are preachers that believe (and preach) that you can't drink alcohol and have a Christian world view. What happens to a friend that is looking for a church home for his family but enjoys a beer or owns a bar? Do we send them down the road and wish them luck on that whole heaven/eternal life thing?
It's funny, but I know Democrats that are followers of Jesus
...and I know Republicans that are not.
I know people that drink alcohol that are Christians and people that don't that are not!
I know pro-life Democrats and pro-choice Republicans.
Too often, we forget to keep the main thing (Jesus) as the main thing!
We (as Christians) often have differing opinions on politics or social issues. If that is the hill you want to make your battle about, have at it. But you'll have to fight that fight with somebody else at your side. It's not my fight. Wage your war on Starbucks or alcohol or over political ideals ... but know that while you fight that battle, people are going to hell because you'd rather judge somebody for buying a lottery ticket or having a glass of wine with dinner than to tell them that God loves them and Jesus died for them.
If we (as Christians) agree on eternity through Jesus and Jesus only, shouldn't that be our focus? If we believe that people that die without Jesus are condemned for their unbelief (John 3:18), shouldn't we make it a point to tell them that God sent His Son for them?
If Jesus says to boycott Starbucks or to fight to defund Planned Parenthood -- I'm in!
For now I'm going to go with that go and make disciples thing (Matt28:19-20). You know -- baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teach them the things I taught -- yeah, that thing.
I'll go back to being quiet now.
John <><
While these are well known bits of information, one has to wonder at the competency of those that we elect to serve as public representatives of our government. Politicians want everything they say to be heard, but seem to forget that it is also recorded. It's pretty hard to claim that you never said something when it can be played back for you (and yet, they do this anyways).
I've been blogging for going on ten years now.
I have changed my thinking on some things and have said things that I would no longer defend. That happens over a lifetime. We learn new facts. Our perceptions change. We gain experience and wisdom. We change and sometimes we change our minds.
I'm certain that I believed whatever I wrote at the time I wrote it. That doesn't mean that an older (and hopefully wiser) John still believes or agrees with the younger me.
And that's okay.
I think that anybody that runs for public office is a little crazy. I can't imagine having to answer for everything that I've done in a public forum. The person that you see today isn't the same as the twenty-something kid that would smoke a little pot and get throwing up drunk on occasion. My best defense of some of the stupid things I've done would probably be to just admit that I was once a stupid, immature kid and move on.
In an era where everything that you say is recorded and judged, it seems it would be best to say very little and to only speak words that have been well thought out in advance. I'm glad that few people care about what I say or think. It makes it a lot easier to say nothing when nothing is expected ... and still, great care should be taken before I speak.
I am often surprised at the impact of words that I have spoken or deeds that I have done. There have been times that I later found out that my simple words moved someone and had a positive impact. It makes me fearful and careful for words or deeds that may have a negative impact.
People sometimes think that blunt honesty is a good trait. I used to be that way -- one of those "at least you know where I stand" kind of people. I no longer think that is a good thing. There are some things that we should keep to ourselves.
One of the things that I have learned in the past few years is this:
While as an American I enjoy freedom of speech, as a follower of Jesus, I do not.
There are things that I may have a right to say, but saying them may not be beneficial to anybody and may not glorify God.
There are pastors that are Republicans that keep Democrats (or liberals as they call them) from coming to their churches by the things that they say and post in social forums. Where will they learn about Jesus?
There are preachers that believe (and preach) that you can't drink alcohol and have a Christian world view. What happens to a friend that is looking for a church home for his family but enjoys a beer or owns a bar? Do we send them down the road and wish them luck on that whole heaven/eternal life thing?
It's funny, but I know Democrats that are followers of Jesus
...and I know Republicans that are not.
I know people that drink alcohol that are Christians and people that don't that are not!
I know pro-life Democrats and pro-choice Republicans.
Too often, we forget to keep the main thing (Jesus) as the main thing!
We (as Christians) often have differing opinions on politics or social issues. If that is the hill you want to make your battle about, have at it. But you'll have to fight that fight with somebody else at your side. It's not my fight. Wage your war on Starbucks or alcohol or over political ideals ... but know that while you fight that battle, people are going to hell because you'd rather judge somebody for buying a lottery ticket or having a glass of wine with dinner than to tell them that God loves them and Jesus died for them.
If we (as Christians) agree on eternity through Jesus and Jesus only, shouldn't that be our focus? If we believe that people that die without Jesus are condemned for their unbelief (John 3:18), shouldn't we make it a point to tell them that God sent His Son for them?
If Jesus says to boycott Starbucks or to fight to defund Planned Parenthood -- I'm in!
For now I'm going to go with that go and make disciples thing (Matt28:19-20). You know -- baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teach them the things I taught -- yeah, that thing.
I'll go back to being quiet now.
John <><
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
I Surrender!
What does that mean?
When countries are at war with each other and one surrenders, what does it mean?
When a criminal is in a battle with law enforcement officers, gives up the fight, throws down his weapons and comes out with his hands up in the internationally recognized "I surrender" pose, what does it mean?
According to Dictionary.com it means:
1 to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress: to surrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods to the police.
2 to give (oneself) up, as to the police.
3 to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.
4 to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).
5 to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.
So why do I ask this question on this day?
I ask because of all of the media publicity about religious freedom and the rights that we have, particularly as Christians. Yes, religious freedoms should apply equally to all of us, but it seems that it is the Christian groups that are making the news these days.
When I think of religious freedom, I think of being able to worship the way I choose and to live life according to a set of principles in which I believe. If, according to my beliefs, stealing is wrong, then I shouldn't steal. If being unfaithful in marriage is wrong, then I should remain faithful to my wife. If being gay is wrong, then I shouldn't live a gay lifestyle.
If I am a business person, I should conduct my business with honesty and the moral character that reflects my personal beliefs.
Serving somebody that has been convicted of stealing, doesn't make me a thief. Providing product to a person that is divorced due to an unfaithful marriage doesn't make me and adulterer; and doing business with an LGBT person doesn't make me gay. Denying services to these people is not a reflection of Christian beliefs; it is a reflection of self-centered "I don't like those people" thinking.
And perhaps, you have the right to do that -- but let's not call it religious freedom. Let's just call it what it is -- bigotry.
Most evangelical Christians believe that when we surrender to Jesus; we surrender our will to Him. We give up our ways and begin to imitate His ways.
We don't have to sin to serve sinners.
Jesus came to us while we were sinners!
Jesus travelled through Samaria and talked to a Samaritan woman that was of poor reputation.
She was a Samaritan.
She was a woman.
And she was divorced (several times) and living with a man.
AND HE ASKED HER FOR A DRINK OF WATER!
Jesus did other crazy things that were considered unbecoming to the religious establishment. He had dinner with tax collectors. He touched lepers. He healed on the Sabbath. He showed compassion to the very least in society.
And then, He went willingly and innocently to the cross to pay for the sins of all of us -- while we were yet sinners.
It may be true that our grand country -- the US of A -- gives us certain religious freedoms, but our Savior does not.
As followers of Jesus, we have surrendered our will to Him. We have only His will.
Would Jesus serve those that are sinners?
He served me.
And if you are a Christian, He served you, too -- while you were a sinner.
It didn't make Him a sinner.
He remained holy and pure and innocent so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for all of us that are sinners.
The only real task that Jesus gives us where others are concerned is to tell them the story; to tell them His story.
Tell them, "God loves you."
Tell them, "Jesus died for you."
Serve them with the compassion of Jesus.
Be Jesus to them.
We are the ambassadors of the kingdom to this lost and dying world.
If you are a follower of Jesus -- love Him by loving the ones that need to know Him, too.
If you are not a follower of Jesus -- know this:
God loves you.
And Jesus died for you.
John <><
When countries are at war with each other and one surrenders, what does it mean?
When a criminal is in a battle with law enforcement officers, gives up the fight, throws down his weapons and comes out with his hands up in the internationally recognized "I surrender" pose, what does it mean?
According to Dictionary.com it means:
1 to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress: to surrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods to the police.
2 to give (oneself) up, as to the police.
3 to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.
4 to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).
5 to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.
So why do I ask this question on this day?
I ask because of all of the media publicity about religious freedom and the rights that we have, particularly as Christians. Yes, religious freedoms should apply equally to all of us, but it seems that it is the Christian groups that are making the news these days.
When I think of religious freedom, I think of being able to worship the way I choose and to live life according to a set of principles in which I believe. If, according to my beliefs, stealing is wrong, then I shouldn't steal. If being unfaithful in marriage is wrong, then I should remain faithful to my wife. If being gay is wrong, then I shouldn't live a gay lifestyle.
If I am a business person, I should conduct my business with honesty and the moral character that reflects my personal beliefs.
Serving somebody that has been convicted of stealing, doesn't make me a thief. Providing product to a person that is divorced due to an unfaithful marriage doesn't make me and adulterer; and doing business with an LGBT person doesn't make me gay. Denying services to these people is not a reflection of Christian beliefs; it is a reflection of self-centered "I don't like those people" thinking.
And perhaps, you have the right to do that -- but let's not call it religious freedom. Let's just call it what it is -- bigotry.
Most evangelical Christians believe that when we surrender to Jesus; we surrender our will to Him. We give up our ways and begin to imitate His ways.
We don't have to sin to serve sinners.
Jesus came to us while we were sinners!
Jesus travelled through Samaria and talked to a Samaritan woman that was of poor reputation.
She was a Samaritan.
She was a woman.
And she was divorced (several times) and living with a man.
AND HE ASKED HER FOR A DRINK OF WATER!
Jesus did other crazy things that were considered unbecoming to the religious establishment. He had dinner with tax collectors. He touched lepers. He healed on the Sabbath. He showed compassion to the very least in society.
And then, He went willingly and innocently to the cross to pay for the sins of all of us -- while we were yet sinners.
It may be true that our grand country -- the US of A -- gives us certain religious freedoms, but our Savior does not.
As followers of Jesus, we have surrendered our will to Him. We have only His will.
Would Jesus serve those that are sinners?
He served me.
And if you are a Christian, He served you, too -- while you were a sinner.
It didn't make Him a sinner.
He remained holy and pure and innocent so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for all of us that are sinners.
The only real task that Jesus gives us where others are concerned is to tell them the story; to tell them His story.
Tell them, "God loves you."
Tell them, "Jesus died for you."
Serve them with the compassion of Jesus.
Be Jesus to them.
We are the ambassadors of the kingdom to this lost and dying world.
If you are a follower of Jesus -- love Him by loving the ones that need to know Him, too.
If you are not a follower of Jesus -- know this:
God loves you.
And Jesus died for you.
John <><
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