pastor’s blog

a sticker we saw posted on a pole, near the World Trade Center

?

Dave responded to my first blog with a pretty tough question. I’d love to know what you think.  Here’s a summed up version (edited for brevity).

“Loving our enemies…  forgiveness is a part of that. …. But what about the ones who’s sole purpose in life is to martyr themselves by killing innocent civilians in accordance to a radical belief in a false god? … who… rule over a population by… terror, whisking people away in the middle of the night to be tortured and raped for amusement?

Would God have us simply “turn the other cheek”, forgive and forget? Or would he want us to do something about it[?]”

SOOO….what do you think?

Jonah hid during the storm- in a comfort zone at the bottom of the boat, like so many Christians- who avoid God’s word, will, people, practices.

The disciples- freaked out in the middle of the storm- “we’re all gonna die!” they thought.

But Jesus- he faced the storm, went into it with peace and power, commanding the waves to be calm.

Pre-Christian, John Wesley (Methodism’s founder), was on a ship full of Moravians (from Moravia, surprisingly).…andthere was a tremendous storm, and Wesley flipped out, overcome by fear, cuddled up somewhere, afraid. But the Moravians, as Christians, stayed above deck, and sang loud boisterous songs, glorifying the Lord. They had bravery, courage, even in the face of death! Wow! No fear.

But why do so many of us Christians, who are offered power (Acts 1:8-9) say with our actions “don’t rock the boat, don’t move the boat, keep it still, don’t move, don’t change a thing?”   No organism successfully survives by refusing to adapt to changes. And boats- in the midst of a storm do not stay afloat by simply keeping the anchor nailed down, refusing to move. Instead- you use the winds, maneuver the sails to adapt to the changing atmosphere, and SAIL! Oh, it’s a thrill, dangerous, but what’s the option? Sit there and sink, constantly afraid that you might …sink?

The emerging churches know this and that is partly why they are thriving. House churches and New church starts have the flexibility to adapt to our changing culture, but what about “traditional churches” with buildings and budgets- what would it look like for us to SAIL? What would it look like?  

Jesus said he came that we might have life, and have it more ABUNDANTLY. (John 10:10).

Where in this culture is the abundant life Christ talked about? I saw it recently in an employee at a coffee shop. (I’ll do another blog later- because I swear she’s filled with the Holy Spirit). A woman filled with joy!  Not afraid to actually wish me well when leaving, telling me to fill up on as much coffee refills as I wanted!

I hear a lot of Christians talking about “church” in public places.  But they always seem to prefer to stay in their box, rarely engaging others in their conversations, almost afraid to leave the square of their routine. Why are Christians so afraid to venture into new areas, afraid to speak out in love, and joy? Why are we so quick to criticize and badmouth those who don’t believe what we do? Where are the bold believers who will break out of this mold of death and stagnancy and LIVE? Why has fear cast this shadow of empty ritualism over us, preventing us from LIFE? (Check off the box, devotional done. Now back to humdrum life.) NO! Let our devotional begin with scripture, yes, but continue in our interactions! Why are we so afraid? Afraid of art, afraid of Muslims, afraid of anything different?  Doesn’t the Holy Spirit give us bravery (Acts 1:8)?

This blog is worthless if you don’t respond! I want conversation, not a soap box. And if you’re voice has been overshadowed by the “power brokers,” the people in “control,” then step up, and SPEAK UP HERE! Where do you see abundant life? And why is it missing in a culture of 85% so-called Christians? Why would we rather complain about the president than bless others with our joy?   Where is the abundant life?