Can't We All Just Get Along

The Central Florida pastor who started a global firestorm with a scheduled Qur'an burning has wisely decided not to hold the event. Whatever the reason this is the right thing to do!

According to the story on VOA:

The leader of a small U.S. Christian church says he has called off his plan to burn copies of the Quran on Saturday.

The Reverand Terry Jones said Thursday he called off his protest because he had reached an agreement with Muslim leaders to move the controversial location of a planned Islamic cultural center and mosque in New York. He said the mosque would be moved away from the site of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

A local Muslim cleric who appeared with Jones to make the announcement said he would be traveling to New York to discuss the proposed mosque. But officials connected with the New York mosque project said there was no agreement to move the location.

Jones said moving the planned Islamic cultural center in New York would accomplish his church's goals because, he said, "the American people do not want the mosque at the ground zero location."

Jones heads the small Dove World Outreach Center church in Gainesville, Florida.

U.S. President Barack Obama and other U.S. and international political and religious leaders have spoken out against the plans to burn copies of the Quran. President Obama said publicly burning the Quran would be a destructive and dangerous act. He called the minister's plan an attention-seeking "stunt" that could endanger U.S. troops, but said it is a valid exercise of free-speech rights under the U.S. legal system.

If Rev. Jones has pulled the plug on a potentially disastrous public display of profound disrespect, it would seem wise if NYC imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf would seriously reconsider building his proposed mosque within blocks of the 911 site. Yes, both of these men have a Constitutional right to proceed, but wisdom and common sense would seem to call for alternatives that would command mutual respect. Come, let us reason together.

Not My Jesus!

Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida does not represent my Jesus. My Jesus never counseled hostile actions toward those with whom we disagree. He never advocated acts of hate, prejudice of any type, or anything but unconditional love, especially for sinners.

Jones and his church, Dove World Outreach Center have planned a public burning of the Qur'an on Saturday, the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist bombings on U.S. soil. This is nothing but organized hate. This is not what my Jesus ever counseled or modeled. This is beyond anger. It's beyond venting frustration with the extreme, fringe elements of fundamental Islam. It is however, generating a lot of media coverage for the pastor and his church. Hmmmmmmm.

This is no way to communicate the heart of the Gospel, which all Christ-followers are called and commanded to share with the world. This is in direct conflict with Jesus admonition to "love your enemies," and to "bless those who persecute you." Would to God that Christ-followers would be united in their contempt for any form of terrorism, hate, racial, religious and gender prejudice.

Jesus couldn't have been clearer when he said:

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:27-30

Pit People

Sunday we explored Psalm 40 in worship.

It is a personal lament that includes a song of thanksgiving. Several praise songs use literal portions of this psalm in their lyrics. You can see them in the first three verses:

40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Being in a "pit" is a common expression in the Old Testament. It conjurs up the image of being in an empty cistern, or well that is covered with mud and mire at the bottom. In Jeremiah's case it was a literal pit (see Jeremiah 38). When you are in a pit, you are in a place that requires help. You can't get out by yourself, it's too deep, plus the mud, muck and mire hold you down like glue. Sometimes we end up in a pit because of personal sin (as is the case in Ps. 40, see verse 12) and other times its through no fault of our own, or circumstances beyond our control. Regardless of how we got there, one thing is common about being in a life pit: you want to get out! Or do we?

The psalmist cried out to God for rescue from his pit. He knew only God could save him from sinking deeper and deeper. But unlike the psalmist some of us have become comfortable in our pits. It's as if we wear the pit of life as a badge of courage. We have discovered that being in a pit evokes sympathy, or pity from others. Staying in the pit allows us to focus on the negatives of life. It's dark, dreary and hopeless. Despite our knowledge of God as rescuer, we choose to remain in the pit and complain. We mumble and gripe. Pretty soon no one wants to be around us, except for those who are just like us, our fellow Pit People. We are incapable of singing because the joy of rescue is no longer a fresh experience, or memory for us. It's hard to recall the grace and favor of God when you choose to focus on muck and mud. Growing up my father frequently referred to negative people as a "stick in the mud". It's a person who has forgotten, or never known the joy of God's rescue. He/she would rather wallow in the mud of negativity and a critical spirit.

So many self-professing, Christ-followers have this unrealistic and unbiblical notion that a life committed to Christ is free from pain, trouble and rough water. That lie came straight from the pit of hell in an effort to diminish the glorious grace of God. Martin Luther King Jr., said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Maybe you are in a pit right now. Perhaps the mud and muck of life is trying to swallow you. Don't get overwhelmed. Cry out to God. He will hear your cry and He will rescue. However, remember the psalmist "waited on the Lord". Rescue will come, but it's not on our timetable. There may be a lesson we need to learn by staying in the mud for longer than we would like. God's rescue happens when God is ready, but rest assured He longs to rescue us. If you doubt just how serious God is about rescuing those who cry out to Him, you need look no farther than the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God gave the best that He had to offer to rescue us from ourselves and the pit of sin!

When God rescues the psalmist says He gives us a new song to sing: "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God." I don't know about you, but I am desperate at times for a new song. I need rescue so bad that I cry out to God in desperation. And every time, when He is ready, I am rescued. It doesn't mean my rescue comes without consequences, hard work, or pain.

The song of deliverance is the sweetest song ever sung. When we sing it, we declare to the world the glory of THE Rescuer. Now that's the song of redemption, salvation and grace!

Chained to the Past

Faith always moves forward no matter what’s in the rear view mirror! This is a hard concept for those of us who tend to let history determine our response to the future. Think about it. How many times have I acted or failed to act because of something that happened in the past?

Let’s say you are staying at a rental cabin in the mountains and the glass in the sliding glass door shatters as you open the door to go onto the deck. Is that going to prevent you from opening doors in the future? Of course not! It is something we will remember, but future door opening will not be chained to the past. It may shape, or influence how we open doors in the future, but it will not keep us from opening doors.

More and more people seem to be chained to past events, problems and pains. Many struggle to break free, but they always seem to resign future events, relationships and experiences to what has happened in the past. Blame and guilt are really good at creating a “victim” mentality, which can ultimately relieve us of any responsibility in future relationships or situations. The past pain, hurt, or mistake begins to become the justification for personal behavior, attitudes and actions that are no less serious and even injurious to others. We start to rationalize our present/future behavior in light of what has “happened to us” in the past.

We see this a lot in Recovery circles. Blaming the past (people, family, situations, job, etc.) is a big roadblock on the journey to a better future. Sure we need to remember our roots and what we’ve experienced and learned in life, but there’s a big difference between remembering and being held hostage. My life experiences help shape me, but I cannot allow them to singly determine my response, or actions in the future. This is the road that leads to prejudice, ignorance and a critical spirit. At what point will we ever accept personal responsibility if we are always blaming someone, or something from the past? Better yet, how can we positively face the future if we consume a steady diet of negative memories, circumstances, relationships and events?

We have a choice. Regardless of what’s happened to us, or what we’ve experienced we can choose how we are going to act, speak and respond to the people, events and circumstances around us. Too many times I have made poor choices based on past hurts and pains. And if I’m honest, a lot of those were self-inflicted as the result of my own poor choices.

When I am future focused I’m less likely to let the past dictate my actions or limit my response. Let the past inform the future, but remain free enough to choose how you will act. Who wants to be a slave to the past? Paul put it best in Galatians 5: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

In Need of Rescue

Imagine being trapped 2,300 ft. below ground for 18, 30, 60 even 90 days! By now you've heard the story of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped August 5th, when their San Jose copper mine collapsed in Copiapo, Chile. Since then they have been receiving food, water, vitamins, medicine and other supplies through a narrow emergency supply line. Yesterday they were told that they may be confined to their "safe room" until Christmas! Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich told the AFP news agency:

"We expect that after the initial euphoria of being found, we will likely see a period of depression and anguish," Manalich said. "We are preparing medication for them. It would be naive to think they can keep their spirits up like this."

The government has asked NASA and Chile's submarine fleet for tips on survival in extreme, confined conditions, and are looking to send them space mission-like rations.

"We hope to define a secure area where they can establish various places — one for resting and sleeping, one for diversion, one for food, another for work," Manalich said.

Chilean officials have consulted NASA and Chile's submarine fleet for survival advice in extreme, isolated conditions. The miners have each lost about 22 lbs., but they are being challenged to develop a routine that will keep them focused and insure their sanity. Music, playing cards, writing materials and clothes have all been passed down the emergency line. They are even working out a way to record video messages to and from their family members. Meanwhile, they simply await rescue. I can't imagine their state of mind, attitude, or feelings at this point, let alone by November.

We all need to be rescued. At some point every Christ-follower realized that God has provided a way out of the darkness of sin through Jesus. It took longer for some of us than others, but make no mistake about it, rescue came. Sometimes I think we forget that there are still people all around us who need rescue. We can also forget what it's like to be in that desperate period of darkness and loneliness. I love the a song we sing in our worship entitled, "Rescue":

I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other Name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace 
I will follow You

Verse 1
You are the source of life And I can't be left behind 
No one else will do 
And I will take hold of You

Verse 2
My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do 
I put my trust in You
© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) by Jared Anderson


Holy God,
Grant rescue for those trapped miners.  Thank you for rescuing each of us.
Help us to share Christ with those who are in desperate need of rescue.
Show us how to heal their wounds, clothe, feed, counsel, listen, and
touch them with the hands and feet of Jesus.  We are Your hands and feet,
but only You can rescue the perishing.  Amen.

Thompson on Hepburn: Lessons Learned

Last week British actress Emma Thompson made critical comments about the acting ability of the late actress and humanitarian ambassador Audrey Hepburn.

Thompson (aka: Nanny McPhee) is working on a remake of My Fair Lady, the 1964 box office smash that featured Hepburn as the peasant flower-girl turned lady, Eliza Doolittle. The film version of the Lerner and Lowe stage musical won eight Academy Awards and 3 Golden Globe awards. The article in the NY Post reported:

Emma Thompson said, “She can’t sing and she can’t really act" about actress Audrey Hepburn.

Thompson said she found Hepburn’s portrayal, “fantastically twee.” By "twee" the British actress said she means "whimsy without wit. Its mimsy-mumsy sweetness without any kind of bite. And that's not for me.”

I must confess that My Fair Lady is one of my favorite movies and musicals so I am slightly biased. I can’t wait to see how moviegoers and the Academy respond to Thompson's yet to be released remake of this classic. She is a really good actress so I’m sure it will be a quality performance. To be fair, Thompson’s comments were confined to Hepburn’s acting, not her personally, or her humanitarian efforts.

What can we learn from Emma Thompson’s public comments? I think there is more than one lesson so here are a few observations:

• Beware when someone elevates themselves at the critical expense of others. It says far more about the person criticizing than it does the person being criticized.
  

• The old saying is true, “Don’t speak ill of the dead.”

• Just because your thinking about something doesn’t mean it needs to be verbalized. There’s a time to speak and a time to refrain. Timing is an art and most actors have it. Miss Thompson will need a better sense of it when she takes on the role of the beloved Eliza Doolittle.

• Just because you think your right doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Kind of like building a mosque near the WTC site. It's legal, it's okay, but is it the right thing to do?
  

• Criticizing others when receiving personal accolades/awards (like a star) is bad form.

• Opinions are purely subjective, even yours and mine!

I don’t know about you, but I am, or have been guilty of most of these. Emma Thompson’s comments have made me face my own imperfections and shortcomings. And that is a good thing. The body of Christ would be well served by some serious self-examination as well.

One Awesome Camp for Kids

CZC stands for Comfort Zone Camp. CZC is a camp intentionally designed for children who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling or primary care giver. The camp is free and CZC even helps with transportation for the children. Watch this video with the stories of some kids who've lost parents and loved ones. To hear their story of coping with loss, pain, growth, healing and triumph reminds all of us that life is indeed a gift.