The Problem of Drawing Circles

So last night my son and I ate at a Chick-Fil-A on the way back from the Charlotte area.  Guess what?  I will eat there again and soon!  Not long ago I ordered something from Amazon and even purchased a gift card for someone.  I will order something from Amazon again!  Here’s the deal.  The CEO’s of both companies hold polar opposite views on the issue of gay marriage.  You may have recently heard something about it.

Just because I purchased items from either business doesn’t mean I support or agree with their respective stand on social, religious, or moral issues.  It would be like saying because I use Microsoft, or Apple software/products on my computer, I totally support their policy to provide benefits for gay couples.  Or that cheering for Penn State means you endorse the horrible actions of Jerry Sandusky.  Or that by purchasing an item made in China means you support communism.  Check your household items before you lob that stone of judgment!

I know this isn’t a popular response with the two extremes on this issue, but call me crazy, heck call me an adult!  Both sides want me and thousands of others to make purchases or patronage in regard to moral stands, but this version of extreme legalism/fundamentalism is dangerous because at some point you won’t be able to draw a line without excluding yourself.   The problem with drawing circles is that sooner or later you draw yourself outside of the circle.  Where do you draw the line?  For example, let’s say you know your plumber loves to gamble, or is having an affair.  Your not close, or even friends beyond professional experience.  So if you contract him to fix something at your house then you are supporting adultery or gambling?  Or what about Walmart?  They are paying huge fines for overcharging in the U.S. and facing bigger fines for bribing in Mexico. So if you shop at Walmart you endorse overcharging and bribery?   I have a few Nike shirts and hats does that mean I agree with Tiger Woods on everything?  Does cheering for Clemson’s Sammy Watkins mean you support the legalization of marijuana?  Nope, the kid made a mistake.  See how crazy this can become?

Both groups on the extreme ends of these issues are intolerant of each other.  You need to know that for me tolerance doesn’t mean blind support without the right to disagree.  For me, tolerance means I respect your right to believe something, but it’s okay if we disagree and just because we do don’t agree doesn’t mean I am going to demonize those with whom I disagree.  Neither side is gonna like this, but the vitriol coming from both extremes is sickening.  Why do we have to demonize people with whom we disagree?  I like Truett Cathy the founder of Chick-Fil-A.  I’ve read a couple of his books and I like what he has done with his company.  I like his food and I like his stores.  I share the same faith.   I don’t know anything about the founder of Amazon, but I like the creativity, energy and ingenuity that marks their entrepreneurial spirit, but I don’t share his social views.  I’m sure there are things I disagree with at both companies.

Guess what?  I like Chick-Fil-A food!  And I have had a positive experience with purchases through Amazon!  I’m an adult and I will choose which businesses I support.  You can call me “wishy washy,” but at the end of the day it’s my choice.  You make yours and I will make mine.  And guess what?  I will respect your choice even if I disagree.

Years ago a gay friend asked if I would perform a wedding ceremony for some friends.  She knew I wouldn’t but she asked anyway.  I told her I couldn’t legally in the state of South Carolina and I couldn’t biblically because it clashed with what I believe.  She said, “I thought so!  But you still love me don’t you?”  And I said, “Yes, I love you.”

My hero Jesus was accused of being a wine bibber, glutton and friend of sinners.  He hung out with the less than desirables.  No, he didn’t condone or agree with their way of life, His words prove differently.  But He loved and He commands me to love likewise!  There’s the rub.  No one wants to love like Jesus.  We only want to love those with whom we agree, or “fit” our idea of what is right and what is wrong.  And before you throw a stone remember that Jesus loved a woman caught in adultery, but He let her know that He did not approve of her life choices:  “Go and sin no more.”  Clearly Jesus didn’t equate tolerance/respect/love with lifestyle approval.

Paul said it best:  If I clash like a cymbal and don’t have love I am empty a resounding gong (1 Cor. 13).  Maybe it’s time we started listening to one another and loving like Jesus.  Be careful of drawing circles because you might find yourself on the outside at some point.  My two cents and they aren’t worth a thing!

Death Is Waiting

A good friend’s brother recently penned a poem for his friend nearing the end of a terminal illness.  I thought is was profoundly simple and it brought great honesty and dignity to death. Here’s John’s poem with permission:


Death is waiting, I'm at peace,
God please grant me sweet release
From the burdens and the pain,
Nothing left to lose or gain.
A long, long  journey it has been
But I go now with a grin.
To those whom I will leave behind
Please remember me in kind
For those of you who went before
I am knocking on the door 
Please let me in so I can see
The beauty of Eternity.

John E Lamb, Sr.
July 26, 2012

Go Team USA!

We Remember Aurora

                                Pray for the saints at FBC, Morganfield, KY as they begin an ambitious, future-focused and much needed capital improvement campaign aimed at reaching their community and helping Christ followers grow.  Humbled and excited at their invitation to be part of their kickoff.  Looking forward to being with old friends and making some new ones!

Buried or Informed Heads?

What does it take to shake you up?  What gets your dander up?  I’m not talking about having to wait in line at your favorite restaurant, or the inconvenience of having to go to a different grocery because yours is out of your favorite cereal.  The truth is that most of us are so immune, or anesthetized to shocking stories that we hardly react anymore.  For the most part we are numb to world and cultural pain unless it affects us directly.  We reason there’s not much we can do about it so we are quick to open a different webpage, or change the channel instead of reading, or hearing another tragic, or sad story.  Consider just a cursory glance of a few of this week’s potentially troubling stories:

• West Virginia man accused of holding wife hostage and torturing her for over a decade
• Syrian Government continues to kill innocent citizens (one of many similar stories)
• U.S. Olympic Team to wear uniforms made in China
• U.S. government can’t say how much of the $51-billion U.S. tax dollars used to rebuild Iraq has been wasted, but the Inspector General’s office says it is “substantial”
• Penn State leaders and coach sat on Sandusky accusations of sexual abuse for years

And this barely touches the surface of the pain, heartache, suffering, danger and pure evil occurring in our world.  No, we can’t personally carry the weight of every injustice and pain caused in the world, but we can be aware of them.  We can choose to be informed and arm ourselves with more information instead of ignoring it and hoping it will go away.  There are some proactive things we can do too.

We can write various authorities or leaders and voice our displeasure and disagreement with various policies, actions, or situations.  We can write newspapers and blog posts addressing such wrongs.  We can pray asking God to bring justice, healing, peace and comfort to those who suffer. We can give financially to helping various causes that seek to address issues such as child slavery, domestic violence, government waste, etc.  We can cast “informed” votes that seek to address various issues through political action and/or, policy.  We can do a lot, but we can’t do anything if we bury our heads in the sand and play ostrich.  One day we may be the victim, patient, or one suffering at the irresponsible/malicious hands and actions of others.  And then I guarantee we will care if someone else is paying attention and acting.  There but for the grace of God goes any of us!

I’m Freezing!

99+ degrees outside and I’m freezing!  The stifling heat of summer has AC units working overtime.  Flowers are wilting and the grass is fading.  The lakes are like bathwater and ice is melting as quick as it flies out of the icemaker.   But I am freezing.  No, I’m not freezing like Super Man at the Fortress of Solitude, or Mr. Freeze from the old Batman TV show.  My soul is cold.  Here in the “dog days” of summer I am experiencing what theologian Martin Marty dubbed the “winter of the soul”. 

30 years ago, Marty, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School wrote a best-selling book entitled, The Cry of Absence.  The book followed the death of his first wife and chronicled the winter season of the soul with meditations from the Psalms.  Writing for people struggling with grief, suffering and the aches of the heart he writes:

“There is no point in being literal about the condition of winter in the soul.  It occurs whenever the tongue is heavy, the jaws are clenched, and the impulse to play is stifled.  Even then, especially then, there is reason to cling to the promises of God and, perhaps in the quiet chambers of the heart to sing of them.”

Many of God’s favorites (okay so your not supposed to say that) experienced winter seasons, or desert periods in their walk.  From David on the run from a mad king, to the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, the sadness of Jacob over losing a son, and Paul’s great declaration of faith in Romans 8, we find people of great faith with honest struggles. 

I’ve been here before and most likely I will be again.  The key to these wintry seasons of the soul is to cling to God.  Lean into His words and promises.  Reflect on His past blessings, deliverance, healings and favor in your life.  The winter of the soul is tough, but it is not a hopeless place.  Hold fast, lean in, and pray!  The promise of God through the psalmist (Psalm 30) notes that joy may not always be easy, but our hope is not empty:

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Happy B-Day America

Happy Birthday!









Flag pic courtesy of American Manufacturing
http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/sen-sherrod-brown-fights-keep-american-flags-made-america