The Way I See It

But stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone. 

Titus 3:9 

 

I've let it be known before that I am NOT a fan of politics. You see, my ideas are the result of my own experiences, prejudices, studies and observation. I have my own ideas of how things should be done, but that doesn't mean the way I think is the right or best idea. When I have expressed my disdain for politics, especially the "church folk" politics, I usually receive a weary sigh with the noncommittal comment, "There's always going to be politics." Which is a very sad commentary about us.

 

Think about this, we live in a place called the UNITED STATES, yet there is so much bickering that an outsider looking in would wonder why we call ourselves "United." Be that as if may, the politics that really crinkle my crunkle are the politics of the church.  

 

Didn't Jesus give us the example of how things are supposed to be done?  He taught us to LOVE each other, regardless (that means ya'll have to love me, regardless).  He taught us to change our way of thinking!  He taught us to not be judgemental.  He taught us that we are to forgive.  He taught us to focus on the important (which would be loving others as we love ourselves).  He exampled loving those most would consider unlovable (remember the lepers, the paralyzed man, the adulterous woman, the woman at the well?).

 

The way I see it, isn't it about time we start heading back to the teachings of Christ? 

Cliques? REALLY?

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:10 

I am not a fan of politics by ANY stretch of the imagination!  From office cliques to political campaigns, I dislike them all because they do nothing but create divisiveness!  We should be setting the example for others by getting along with one another, rather than creating chaos and discord.

As I am writing this, I am contemplating how to handle a particular situation where a team, who should be relying on each other and encouraging each other, has become divided....all because of a clique which has developed.

Look at what the Apostle reminds us:

     * LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER

     * LET THERE BE NO DIVISIONS 

     * BE OF ONE MIND

     * BE UNITED IN THOUGHT AND PURPOSE

You can't have cliques AND live in harmony with others.  You can't have office politics and be of one mind.  You can't be divided and be united in thought and purpose.

Isn't it time to let go of the childish games and start looking out for each other, encouraging each other, helping each other, and caring about each other?

When Do We Seek Peace?

You, Lord, give true peace
    to those who depend on you,
    because they trust you.

Isaiah 26:3 

 

We've spent a long time hearing about riots, arguing about politics, people protesting this or that.  Then the elections began NOT with "here's what we will do to bring peace" but with "I may be a horrible person, but my opponent is WORSE!"  Now that the elections are technically over, the unrest continues.  

 

Then we deal daily with "office politics"...what some call favoritism or 'brown nosing.'  It seems that every where you turn, people are unhappy and seeking to convince others to agree with their opinion by taking extreme measures.  And during all this unrest and noise, we hear no one speaking of peace.

 

Peace...TRUE peace is the knowledge that no matter what happens, God is still God and He is in control and loves us!  When we focus on THAT, then we will begin to understand peace.  You see, peace doesn't mean I'm right and you're wrong; peace doesn't mean you're right and I'm wrong.  Peace means God's plans for us will be completed in spite of all the fighting and arguing and tantrums and inattention.  God is patient.  God loves you.  God has a plan.  God is the One to Trust (It's even on our currency).

 

Step back from the politics for just one day and focus on God's love for you.  And you will begin to sense His peace fill you.

UGH....Politics!

Fear God, dear child—respect your leaders;
    don’t be defiant or mutinous.
Without warning your life can turn upside down,
    and who knows how or when it might happen?

Proverbs 24:21-22 

 

Yep....it's that time again.  The gloves and muzzles come off and the mudslinging begins.  And we hear many, Many, MANY variations of "Yes, I'm awful and not very good, BUT THEY'RE WORSE!"  And then there are those who want to "speak truth" by hiding behind a mask...and we're supposed to just take their words at FACE value from a hidden FACE?

 

Let me be extremely clear: my political beliefs are mine!  I know there are those whose political views are different from mine, and I accept that.  I am not here to try to convince anyone to think as I do about politics.  I just want to ask a question: "When did being respectable get removed from the looked for qualities list?"

 

Each election we see the tantrums, we witness the disruptions, we hear the name calling, we find out the dirty laundry of the participants, and we are even beginning to hear how one candidate is the lesser of the evils running for office.  

 

Believe what you will, but know that we are commanded by the Bible, so many tout as their political source of inspiration, to RESPECT your leaders (whether you like them and agree with them or not).  We are also told over and over to PRAY for each other and to LIVE IN PEACE with each other.  My sympathy to our candidates who seem to have forgotten that, and for their supporters who embody that forgetfulness.

 

Isn't it time we return to the point where we pray for each other, our country, our leaders, and thank God for His provisions?  

"One for the Money, Two for the Show..."

“You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You love sitting at the head table at church dinners, love preening yourselves in the radiance of public flattery. Frauds! You’re just like unmarked graves: People walk over that nice, grassy surface, never suspecting the rot and corruption that is six feet under.”

Luke 11:43-44 

I have been thinking again.  I admit it, I enjoy having a good think, and sometimes it leads me to places where toes get stepped on.  This time was no exception.  It is not my intent to cause hard feelings and I am not pointing fingers at anyone.  I simply want to share what has been brought to mind.

The Pharisees didn't like Jesus.  And, to be honest, Jesus didn't appear to be a big fan of the Pharisees either.  Jesus knew that the Pharisees were corrupt.  They had taken Judaism and turned it into a money making and political enterprise.  

The Pharisees took great pride in:

   * their position, 

   * the people they rubbed elbows with, 

   * the political clout they had,

   * the possessions they accumulated

   * their finery and accoutrements

   * their influence over their flocks

   * their education

The Pharisees were very quick (and proud) to let people know just how pious and "holy" they were, and how much better they were than regular folk.  

While attending a graduation at the Criminal Justice Academy this Friday past, the guest speaker stated that on the list of "Most Trusted Professions" Law Enforcement was still in the top ten.  Then he said something that smacked me right between the eyes: "But even though we're not at the top, we still outranked the clergy."  WOW!  That speaks volumes to me!

I began to look around at my fellow clergy and, I will admit, was ashamed!  We have people claiming to be the reflection of Jesus who are just like the Pharisees!  They love their finery.  They love their expensive homes and cars and possessions.  They love their money.

When I read the Gospels, I see that Jesus walked everywhere except when He rode the donkey into Jerusalem at the end.  Jesus even told His Disciples, in Luke 10:3-6: "Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves. Do not carry a money bag, a traveler’s bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house!’ And if a peace-loving person is there, your peace will remain on him, but if not, it will return to you."

And in Luke 12:34, Jesus said: "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

My prayer is that our clergy will work to become trustworthy again instead of being self-serving and political.  We have been called to follow the example of Christ, who went to the people who needed Him most, talked to them in ways they could understand, and loved them.  

Have An Adventure

"One of them, an expert in religious law,

tried to trap Him with this question:

'Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law of Moses?'

Jesus replied, ' You must love the LORD your God with all your heart,

all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

~Matthew 22:35-39 

 

 

We've witnessed a LOT of upheaval recently, and we have let it divide us!  We have seen the media change opinions about Law Enforcement from one of protection to vilifying ALL Law Enforcement as evil, prejudiced, and corrupt.  We have seen the racial tensions exploding due to the actions of a few.  We have seen the controversy over a flag that, for some, represents repression, yet for others it represents heritage.  We have seen people taking the law into their own hands because they didn't believe our elected officials (whom were chosen by the voting majority to serve us) were doing enough fast enough.  We have seen the Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage create such a stir as I have not seen in my lifetime.  

But let's strip away all the "causes" and "justifications" and let's take a look at one glaring core statement that is being made.  "If you don't agree and embrace my way of thinking then you are bigoted, racist, hate-mongering, and wrong."  It's as though we have become a nation of spoiled children each demanding their own way and throwing temper tantrums if we don't get it.  And in so doing we have lost the message given to us by Jesus Christ, to love each other!

Love does not mean I will always agree.  I don't expect everyone to agree with me and I'm okay with that.  Jesus reminds us that when we put our focus on loving God first we will be able to love others too, in spite of our differences.  You see, Jesus loved people!  But understand, Jesus taught people to love and to love others who thought differently, acted differently, felt differently and lived differently.  Jesus took a paralyzed man and not only did Jesus NOT put food in his mouth and money in his pocket, Jesus gave him the ability to earn his own way!

Jesus was called the Shepherd.  Shepherds don't take food to the sheep and put it in front of them.  The Shepherd shows the sheep where to find food.

If we are to truly call ourselves Christians, we need to understand that Jesus teaches us to love and part of that love is helping people become self sufficient so they, in turn, can help others!  When we can get past the personal agendas and political posturing and maneuvering, we can get back to loving.

The congregation of the Charleston AME Church proved that love conquers.  They were able to tap into the love of Christ and offer forgiveness to the inflictor of so much pain.  Why can't we? What an adventure we would have then, huh?