Year End Thoughts

Twas the day after Christmas, and my thoughts move towards reflection. I must admit that our country is in dire straits. Why? Trust has been shattered.

For me the saddest component of my thoughts are on the sad state of the American church. Our Catholic friends groan under the weight of the moral scandals involving their priests. We protestants discovered that the leader of the National Association of Evangelicals, while fighting for a pro traditional marriage amendment to Colorado's state constitution, was himself a closet homosexual and drug user. Add that to the numerous clergy involved in their own sex scandals. 

One by one our politicians are being outed for their corruption. Having been reared in the Chicago area, I am particularly sensitive to Illinois' Governor being arrested for seeking to sell President-elect Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder. Unfortunately this governor is only one of many politicians being charged with corruption. In Boston, a City Councilor and a State Senator were both arrested for accepting bribes.

In the world of business we are experiencing the collapse of the financial world. Government bail-outs are now an ordinary part of economic life. Much of this money has been diverted from its primary purpose to lining the pockets of corrupt CEOs.

So, our religious, governmental and economic parts of our society are all demonstrating a certain amount of corruption. In other words, every element of society has been infiltrated by corruption. We have become rotten to the core. I come to this conclusion, not because this is unusual, but because the systems have become corrupt. There have always been corrupt clergy, corrupt politicians and corrupt business people. What is particularly galling is that the systems try to cover up the corruption. Within the church, the very guilty parties have found new opportunities for ministry and bring their corruption with them. Politicians refuse to police themselves. Business leaders, even in the midst of a crisis, line their pockets. Trust in our systems have been destroyed.

In our City the Police Department refused to honor the law when a Request for Information was properly submitted. First, the PD asked for an enormous sum of money for the report; then they refused to facilitate the request within the legally defined time guidelines; and then they blacked out everything of substance. Who do you trust when your own Police Department breaks the law? We are all familiar with how the Supreme Court telling the current administration that it was breaking privacy laws with its desire to know everything. Who do you trust when you can't trust your own President? Our governor made a strong pitch to every citizen of Massachusetts to come to the State House and demand what they want. When several hundred thousand citizens signed a petition asking for a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage, our governor did everything in his power to stop that amendment from being voted on by the citizens of Massachusetts. Who can you trust when you can't even trust your governor?

While people fail us and systems have been compromised our only hope is in the Lord. He is still king of kings. Let us pray not only for revival but for a Reformation - something that will spiritually change the way we do business in America. Let's do things God's way.

Walking the Talk

Many years ago, at the beginning of my ministry, Linda and I were engaged in a solve the world discussion with other pastors and missionaries. The topic was vitamins and the amazing powers of Vitamin E to cure all things. I was convinced and ready to go to the nearest health food store to buy some. Then I asked a stupid question, How many and which vitamins do you take? The answer was - you guessed it - I don't take any; my wife does! Well, no Vitamin E for me. If you don't walk the talk then the talk has no value for me.

Evangelism follows a similar logic. There are many programs assisting us with the talk. we can present the gospel in a host of ways. My denomination seems to have a different approach every year! With all the approaches we should expect America to be converted and living for Jesus. We know that's not true, so what happened?

Peter gives us a major clue when he instructs the early believers to be able to give non-Christians an answer for the believer's faith. This verse is the John 3:16 for apologists since the word for reason is the same word from which apologetics is derived. The key, however, is that non-believers are asking believers why they have hope. This verse is in the context of how believers should live in a non-believing world.

Jesus spent his life living and teaching the Kingdom of God. Because of that he was always being asked spiritual questions. Now, for a period of self-examination. When was the last time someone initiated a spiritual conversation with us because of our lifestyle? That is the problem with contemporary evangelism, our walk does not match our talk. Look closely at the Sermon on the Mount - our lives should mirror those three chapters.

You see, non-believers can argue theology and philosophy but they cannot argue our lives. Our new lives are our self-disclosure of our acceptance of the Gospel. If the effects of conversion aren't evident then the non-believer will conclude that the gospel is not powerful enough to change anything. If our lives come anywhere close to the Sermon on the Mount we will get a reaction.

John 3:19-21 tells us what that reaction will be. The reaction depends on the heart condition of the onlooker. If the onlooker is attracted it is because (s)he is of the light; if not (s)he is of the darkness. What one loves will either attract or repulse people from us. Remember when Jesus told his disciples to beware of when people speak well of you? Could it be that the normal reaction of non-believers is repulsion to the gospel? Those that truly are looking for hope will find the gospel inviting, especially if they see the gospel being lived out in you and me.

Christmas is coming - let us not only tell people about the coming Christ; let us also live in a way that demonstrates that he comes to my house. Honey, it's time to pick up the house, company's coming! Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Justice begins with information

Frustration sets in when you are placed in a situation where the system is broke. For some unknown reason my daughter's medical insurance was cancelled, just as she was having ear infections that required medical attention. For me and her this was a frustrating situation. However, because we know that the insurance company was at fault, and this will be straightened out in due time. We will receive justice because we know our rights.

Unfortunately, many if not most people know their rights. My daughter works for a medical clinic, and I am on the Board of another clinic - perhaps, you can say we have inside information. Those who don't know their rights are at the mercy and indifference of the system who has denied them justice. I remember when the Registry of Motor Vehicles had the worst customer service of any industry; they were just plain rude. Often you stood in line and as you approached the counter the person told you that you were missing a document. So, to the back of the line you went. Now, to be fair the Worcester RMV has good customer service now.

Think on a larger scale of those who have been denied their rights and they don't even know it; they have been purposely kept in the dark. Do you remember in the recent election how much concern there was about who is a proper voter? There were subtle efforts to deny people the right to vote by questioning their registrations (I'm not referring to the ACORN scandal). What about those denied housing, employment and other rights?

One level of education in which we can all participate is informing everyone of their rights under the constitution. This is a basic fight for justice with which we can all agree.

A wake up call

Last week's Wally's Whispers presented a high light in my month with the Lord. Everything was going right, but then life happens.

Tonight was spent at the funeral home. Pastor Rick, my predecessor at Christ Baptist, was being waked. Rick took good care of himself, exercised and dieted properly and was cutting wood when God called him home. Life can end so quickly and when the person is younger than yourself you begin to think about your own mortality.

For me, I am spiritually ready. For some time I have had my bags packed - my heart belongs in heaven, and I yearn to be with my Lord - he is my all in all. But I'm not physically ready. My will is still on my computer, yet to be notarized. There are many loose ends to consider. Who will do my funeral? Will I be buried or cremated? The questions keep coming, and Linda & I haven't taken the opportunity to talk about these final things. It just seems to morbid; until a friend unexpectedly dies. I'm not ready to die vocationally. I have a to-do list that I just can't leave undone. I love preaching and only Jesus preaches in heaven. so I got to get that out of my system here in the now, not the here-after. I have accumulated much pastoral wisdom over the years, and I would love to share that with others. Lord, I have too much to do; I'm not ready yet. I'm not ready emotionally. I love my wife, my children, my grandchildren; I'm not ready to leave them behind. To be honest, there is quite a bit of this life I would still like to experience. Lord, I'm ready but not yet-please.

I visited my doctor today - my annual physical. I'm healthy and not ready to go to heaven yet. Good. The doctor was pleased at my weight loss and took away one of my prescriptions for hypertension. Life is good. You know - I may have a lot of reasons for staying, but when the Lord calls me home I will rejoice for THEN I will be ABLE to sing with full gusto and no one will complain. The angels will rejoice; Jesus will rejoice; and my heavenly father will say, ... (I'll leave that to your imagination.

I trust these meditations were not morbid but maybe to encourage you that most believers have that I want to go to heaven but not yet attitude.

Worship - continued

This has been a very rich week for me. At times pastors have all the fun, but sometimes I wonder how our wives get replenished. There are so few times when wives can get away to enjoy the same conferences we pastors enjoy, especially if they work outside the home.

Anyway, let me be selfish and talk about me and my experiences. I began (this time Linda joined me) with the worship described in my previous blog - our time with the Singing Men of South Texas. Each song washed over us like the balm of Gilead. Then came Monday. Monday, I picked up "my pastor" Bob Wiles, and the two of us journeyed north to Pilgrim Pines Conference Center. For the next 3+ days we spent in prayer, worshipping our God. At times there was confession; other times we gathered around another pastor for prayer; still other times we broke off in small groups praying for specific needs each one of us had.

I remember my first Prayer Summit way back in 1991. There I met God in a most wonderful, liberating experience. I bawled like a baby, raised my hands in wonderful worship, and experienced the healing of anointed prayer by my brother pastors. This Summit was like revisiting that memorial altar. Another brother felt the same way. He was at a point of transition, just like he was back in 1992. Then he had the brothers pray over him, and this week he made sure the hot seat was exactly where it was so many years ago. Wow - the power of memorial altars.

During some quiet time in prayer I was struck by our inability to do anything of consequence for God; it was totally dependent on his empowerment, breathing into his work his Spirit. I wondered what that meant - why wasn't there of a more positive message. That afternoon session provided the answer. Someone mentioned the power of Christ's name. We work in his name; we don't have silver and gold, all we have is the name of Jesus and that is enough. That spread over the pastors like a powerful wave. One after another picked up on that, and then it dawned on me - we have authority, we have the name of Jesus. We do ministry NOT in our own power, but in the power of the name of Jesus. It is not magical; it is the person of Jesus through his Spirit who accomplishes spiritual ministry. if I want to do something it must be in the name of Jesus, not words but in his authority. WOW.

This past Sunday began with the Singing Men of South Texas; my week was spent in prayer with fellow pastors; now this Sunday Gavin and Glenda Williams will join us for a Sunday afternoon tea, sharing their training mission to India, Africa and Romania. What a luck guy I am!

Worshipping to maintian your balance

Pastors often find it difficult to worship. When you're in charge you are more often concerned with making sure that everything is in place, that everyone is on the same page as you, and that makes it difficult to sit in the presence of God. This is why today was such a special day. Our church hosted one team from the Singing Men of South Texas. Their choice of songs, their spirit-ability, the message from the Word led me and others into his presence. This afternoon was a continuation of the morning. Our Association of churches sponsored the Singing Men where they performed for 90 minutes, many of the same songs as this morning but also new ones. Once again it was wonderful to participate in the worship experience.

Worship gives you a balanced perspecetive on life. Most of the week you concentrate on the affairs of the world. The tensions of the financial world, which often spills over into family life. You also see the devastation of the world's woes on people's lives and wonder how a Christian would respond. There is a lot of stress trying to do the right thing. Sometimes I am so nice to outsiders and come home to be a bear to my family. Haven't you experienced that?

Do you remember that a few weeks ago out congress set aside $700 billion to help resolve Wall Street's problems. Now we see the money not being used for its original purposes and we become frustrated with the greed of certain people. Now we have elected a charismatic leader, and we all have high expectations. By January 22, we will all be frustrated that the world is still a mess. Worship reminds us that God is in charge, that God has promised to provided for us. Worship tells us that, for Christians, everything will be all right. Our hope is not in the President or in Congress or even in the Supreme Court. Our hope is in God.

worship reminds us to be faithful to the task of declaring his kingdom, of demonstrate a kingdom lifestyle, and of developing kingdom leaders. worship helps us balance on lives.

Love my neighbor as myself

For the past month I have been asking myself as well as my congregation: what does it mean to love God with a total commitment, and what does it mean to love my neighbor as myself? From a personal stance the question is answered fairly easily. I make a total commitment to God; I have daily devotions; I tithe; I do all the things Christians are suppose to do in their walk with God. Seeing a neighbor in need I come along side and help. When we have a snow storm in the city, I snow throw not only my sidewalk but also my neighbor's. I am neighborly.

When I look at life with a wider lens I see complications. Somewhere I have in my boxes of books one titled, But You don't Know Harry. The command to be submissive to husbands is a clear teaching of Scripture, but if you knew Harry you would make an exception! The same line of reasoning is applied to my neighbor. If I help my neighbor I will be creating dependence, and that is not good. Suffering is a good teacher. Even beyond this scenero is my neighbor the Muslim. Muslims hate Christians; they want us all killed, so why should I love him? Or what about my neighbor the welfare cheat?

Let's go even deeper. How do I express love for my neighbor on a more public platform? We do care about public platforms because most of us voted in this past election according to our values. What is the practical way to show love to the millions of undernourished children? to those who are in under performing schools? to those living in crime saturated neighborhoods? Even on a larger scale - what about countries like Haiti?

I don't have all the answers, but I do have questions and a certain sense of dissonance - I say I love but do I really. What are the hindrances to expressing love? How can my church assist me in demonstrating love. Oh, what I would give to have Jesus walk the earth right now. Oh, no way - he is walking on earth, isn't the church his Body? Where the church walks Jesus walks. Boy, I better get my questions answered the right way or Someone will be angry!

Election Reflection

There is very little neutral ground concerning the outcome of this year's Presidential election. Many of my friends are down in the dumps because of Obama's win; they think God has given our country up to its own depravity. Obama seems to be the culmination of our sinful tendencies. We can now expect abortion on demand with no restrictions; perhaps partial-birth abortions will be re-allowed. the acceptance of gay marriage will now be federally recognized. Perhaps the Tribulation will be ushered in because we elected Obama.

Others of my friends are elated. At breakfast this morning an African-Amercian was strutting around the restaurant, being so proud of his race and what was accomplished. Later in the morning I attended a neighborhood meeting where everyone was so excited about the hope that Obama brings to our country.

On a purely human level my excitment is somewhat subdued. Two years ago I was excited about electing our current Governor. He emanated hope; there was a lot of excitment of what he would bring to the State house. Well, even my community friends became disappointed in his non-accomplishments. I take that subdued thought when I think of the possibilities with our new President. He does bring excitement and hope, but can he deliver?

I'm learning more and more with each passing historical moment that the Bible is true, our hope is in the name of our Lord. Politics is very important; we can' do anything in life without politics. However, politics is not the solution to our problems - only God is. As a nation, no, as a people of God we must return to God as our hope. In America we have a checks and balances system of government because we recognize that we humans can't be trusted. we are selfish; we are ambitious; we are sinful. Only God-given values can save our country, and those values must first be lived by the church as an example to the world. We must demonstrate our love and compassion for all peoples, not just the unborn. As Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man so all laws need to reflect the needs, interests and well-being of the people. When we think of the poor, the immigrant, the single mother, do we look with eyes of compassion or with eyes of judgment? I think the church often is more American than Christian. What do you think?

Thoughts about the financial crisis

I am disturbed; I am disappointed; I am ashamed; yes, even conscience-stricken. Watching the pundits on the various news’ channels pontificating about who is at fault in the current fiscal crisis, I am thinking that they left out one very important category. Yes, Wall Street Barons are at fault for following the goddess Greed. Congress shares much of the blame. Imagine adding $100 billion in pork to a $700 billion rescue package! However, there is a larger question – who within society has the responsibility to teach morals? Families? Cultural values have usually been passed from one generation to another by the majority religion of that culture. As a Christian clergy person, I am ashamed that we have failed in our responsibility.
I am especially ashamed because so many of us clergy are teaching a prosperity gospel, all but advocating worship of the goddess Greed. Others preach that less government is better and that lower taxes means more money to spend on my family, again bowing down to the goddess Greed. Have we forgotten early Christians suffered martyrdom and that a sign of spirituality used to be to sell all we have and give to the poor?
I urge my fellow clergy to accept our responsibility in this fiscal crisis and urge our congregants to live a life of righteousness in light of the fact that they and one day we will be held accountable to our lives.

Faith based Community Organizations

Faith-based Community Organizations have demonstrated an amazing ability to achieve social justice in the urban communities of the world. In parts of India this organizations helped achieve water and sewer plants for their neighborhoods. In other parts of the world people who had been kept out of jobs for various reasons were able to get jobs through agreements with employers or labor unions. With all the good that these organizations do I think the one thing they do the best is to build leaders. Usually the poor have been so beaten down that they cower before the powerful. Injustice happens because there are powerful people and weak people, powerful organizations and weak organizations. Community Organizers work with the poor, equipping them to understand the issues and then they, the poor, stand up to power and achieve their goals. The poor discover that they have power equal to the powerful and can achieve their goals if they band together.

What makes faith-based organizations different than other community organizations is faith. These FBCOs usually are organizations of churches that build the people from the foundation of faith. These organizations bring God back into public life. No longer are the religious relegated to serving God only on Sunday; no, they discover that God is relevant every day of the week. What's even more important is that public institutions also recognize the public life of the church. Faith-based Community Organizations are not evangelistic (that is left to the individual Churches); they are about justice and identifying & building leaders. These newly discovered leaders take their personal faith and make it public. The urban centers of the world are more livable because of the work of faith-based community organizations.

Has the Christian Right Cried Wolf Once Too Often?

I'm all caught up in the election this year; I guess everyone is. Some approach next week with excitment; while others dread next Wednesday when the results will be known. This afternoon I received a DVD in the mail that was from a conservative Jewish and Christian organization. It dawned on me, as I just threw it away, that I now ignore all the right wing emails I have been receiving from all my conservative friends. Time after time I would do a snopes.com on their accusations, discovering the half truths and outright lies that these emails contained. It's like the boy who cried wolf; I no longer listen to these dire warnings. What happens if they have really something to say? they have so poisoned the well that no one wants to drink from their water.

Another thought came as I was watching one of the talking heads wonder out loud why the conservative Christians are so hateful; he thought Christians should be known for their love of neighbor. I tend to agree. In fact the conservative talking head actually called these evangelicals culturally conservatives; she refused to speak about the Christian Right. They have spewed so much hate and so many lies that I am wondering if there is anything Christian about the Christian Right. should we call them the Christian Wrong or perhaps the Secular Right or as the talking head suggested, the Culturally Conservative?