My Take On Us

Introduction

It seems to me that we can all be divided into two overarching groups and we each live out of one of two overarching, and competing, value systems. And I believe everything that happens -- everything -- can be understood and explained if we understand this perspective.

The Two Groups: Smart and Dumb

It's important to note that "smart" and "dumb" can (and should) be broken down into subcategories:

Knowledgeable: The lowest form of smart. This is simply knowing facts, like the fact that 1+1=2.

Intelligent: The ability to figure things out using knowledge and intuition.

Wise: The ability to put it all together and make the best choices possible in each situation. The highest form of smart.

Ignorant: Not an insult, it is simply (and literally) the lack of knowledge. We are all ignorant of so many things because no one knows everything. Easily "cured" by knowledge, the least harmful form of dumb.

Dumb: The inability to process concepts, ideas, and truth on a higher (or deeper) level.

Stupid: Willful ignorance (Proverbs 12:1). This is the worst, most harmful, and even dangerous form of dumb.

The Two Value Systems: Self- and Community-Centered

Self-centered: At the end of the day, you are what matters most (or only). You tell yourself that others (e.g., family) matter, but it's pretty obvious to everyone else that you are the center of your universe. At pretty much any cost.

Community-centered: While not necessarily -- and definitely not always -- putting self last, you understand the value and power of truly working together and usually choose accordingly.

Breaking It Down

So at the most basic level, everyone falls somewhere within this chart:

Broken down further:

*It is not wise to be self-centered.

And for easy reference:

Some Ways This Plays Out

• People in quadrant 1 rarely seek power; people in quadrants 2 and 4 often do.
• It ranges from extremely difficult to impossible to help people in quadrants 3 and 4 see that they are (a la Dunning-Kruger and the like).
• People in quadrants 3 and (especially) 4 are easy for people in quadrant 2 to manipulate.
• People in quadrant 1 are likely to choose humility; quadrant 2 and 4 people are not.
• Those who are/could be part of the problem far outnumber those who are/could be part of the solution.

So What Do We Do?

As a lifelong Trekkie, I would LOVE to believe (and did for a very long time) that we have a future ahead where we all finally come together as one; I know now, however, from Scripture, that this is never going to happen (2 Timothy 3: 1-5).   Of course, if we all followed Jesus, all the world's problems would absolutely be solved; but again, this will never happen (Matthew 7:13-14). So, for me, I resolve to walk with God, trusting that He will guide me through His Spirit as I strive to be a light in my own life and trust Him with the rest. It seems to me that this is the best -- and frankly, only truly good -- way to live.

The Conclusion Of The Matter

Ecclesiastes has been my favorite book of the Bible for a very long time; it is surreal to look back now and recognize how I've lived it. I have tested, tried, and even indulged in many things and approaches over the course of my walk with God, and I feel like I'm coming full circle.

From the Israelites in Canaan to the New Testament church, God's plan has always been for His people to be a community that actually gets love right so the rest of the world can see and join. We are not called to be a recruitment-centric, behavior-policing army; we are called to just be like Him. He couldn't have made this clearer (Matthew 22:34-40)!  Asking, "Who is my neighbor?" or saying, "I will love them once/but they ___" means I've already failed. Cities on hills and lamps on stands don't chase or harass people, they just are. People can see them and choose them as better than where they currently are or what they currently have.

From Genesis to Revelation the vast majority of Scripture is God using one or a few of His people to try to get through to the rest (Pentateuch, prophets, histories, wisdom writings, gospels, epistles; that actually leaves very little else). Most of the time they don't listen. Not much has changed, and apparently never will (Matthew 7:21-23).

So in conclusion, turns out it's actually pretty simple:

• Whatever the problem, some will choose to be part of the solution, many will not (Proverbs 12:1).
• When the rubber meets the road, very few will truly choose humility and love (Matthew 7:13-14).
• The only way I can ever be part of a group where I agree with everything is if I'm part of a group where everyone thinks like me. This will almost never happen; if it does it will be brief; and, it really is not best. Participating in groups where people think differently from me is needed, healthy, and how I get to practice being like Him (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
• These things will not change until the end, and I am not here to fix the world but to be a little light in the darkness, loving my neighbors and my enemies, pointing to the only real solution, which is offered to all (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 Timothy 2:3-4).
• What people do with this is God's purview, not mine (1 Corinthians 15:37-38).
• I have failed hard and often to be like Jesus, but I can never give up and never stop growing (Romans 12:21; Philippians 3:12; 2 Peter 1:8-11).

Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14), but we humans will never be full of either. And while I fully embrace the need for and value of truth, I find myself agreeing more and more with this movie clip when it comes to us being certain we always know what the truth is. I am beginning to see why all of us so desperately need all the grace and mercy we can get (Luke 23:34), and all I want at this point is to be an instrument of this, leaving truth to God and only ever striving to be an instrument of truth as He sees fit (2 Timothy 2:15)!

Lord, I can be such a mess,
but I am a dearly loved mess!
Thank you for...well...being perfect!
Thank you for loving me, no matter what.
Please help me to want what you want;
please help me to be a light.

Faith vs Expectation

I was recently in a discussion that started with the person leading it asking, "how is your faith these days?" My immediate thought was, "faith in what?" See, I have zero doubts that God can do anything He wants; my uncertainty is with regard to what I can or should expect that He will do.

We tend to think of "faith" as being confident in how God works in our lives. I now believe that God is immeasurably less concerned with our day-to-day earthly existence than we are. Don't get me wrong: He absolutely loves us, wants what's best for us, and actively works for the good of those who truly love Him (Rom 8:28). But what does this actually mean or look like? Does it really matter where we work, where we live, whom we marry (or if we marry!), etc.?

Anyone who has walked with God for a few decades will tell you that life has not turned out the way they expected. Why is this? I think it's because we're conditioned to expect "happily ever after" -- especially if we're walking with God. Sadly, this just isn't reality.

When I look back on my life thus far, I can see many times things didn't go the way I wanted them to; I can also see how God worked through many of them for my good...but not all of them. So what's the deal?

I think the problem is that we tend to think OT style: physical provision, protection, and blessings. After all, we ask God to heal us or loved ones, provide good jobs, and on and on and on. We ask God to fix things and to give us good things, and we use snippets like Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 7:11 -- often taken way out of context -- to justify doing so.

Digging deeper, however, we see that NT style is primarily focused on spiritual provision, protection, and blessings. After all, how many times have we asked God for good things and not received them? How many times has He not healed, or fixed, or...?

And, it's very hard to appreciate the big-picture, long-term spiritual promises in the face of earthly, physical, in-your-face trials and suffering...especially when prayers seem to continue to go "unanswered."

But God rarely just doesn't answer. He does at times, for specific reasons (our sin, His testing/pruning, etc.), but that's not the norm. Sometimes he simply says "no." Sometimes "not yet." And we rarely have any idea why!

So where does this leave us? Just exactly what or how are we supposed to pray? What are we supposed to expect?

The "Lord's Prayer" has absolutely been sufficiently analyzed, so I'm not going to try to do that here. I will pull out one piece, though: "Lord, thy will be done...." But, God's will is done. Always. Sometimes it's His caused will, and sometimes it's His allowed will, but nothing ever happens outside his sovereignty. So why bother asking even for that, it it's gonna happen anyway?

At this point, I'm starting to think that what I should really be praying for is to trust God enough to be able and willing to simply surrender to whatever happens. And to trust someone, you have to truly know them. And we know God through is Word and through remembrance (looking back on our lives for and at the times we can see His presence and action). Scripture is filled with God telling His people to remember and recount what He has done for them (and of course, exhortation to love and live by His word).

I'm reminded at this point of my favorite Taoist story (not that I know many lol): The Chinese Farmer (or "The Maybe Story" and other names). I REALLY want to be like this farmer!!

And maybe (see what I did there? 😊), as we continue to fight the good fight (1 Tim 6:12, James 1:2-4), draw near to God (James 4:8), and set our minds and hearts on things above (Col 3:1-2), we begin to correct our understanding of what we are supposed to expect, and how we relate to God. In turn, we begin more and more to see it -- even if only after the fact. And the joy and peace that are ours only in Christ (Php 4:4, Php 4:7, Gal 5:22) become more and more part of who we are.

And then, Heaven. :)

Love Conquers All: The Real Jesus

If you do not consider yourself a Christian, how do you view Christians these days? Do you see Christians as

• loving? or hateful?
• compassionate? or bigots?
• humble? or hypocrites?

It is natural -- and right (Matthew 7:16-18) -- to judge someone by their deeds, and it is equally natural to judge an entity by its self-proclaimed representatives. Did you know, though, that Jesus taught that many who claim to be His followers actually are not?

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" - Matthew 7:21-23 For modern day readers, this passage is literally Jesus warning us that we can check all of our particular church's boxes and still go to Hell! How does this happen? The word translated as "knew" in this passage comes from the Hebrew word, yada. It basically means to know at a deep level, typically with regard to relationships. Jesus is saying here that we can do all the things but if we don't truly know Him and His true heart, and let Him truly know us -- evidenced by how we live! -- we are lost. And what does it mean to truly know and be known by Jesus? How does it show?

**Love** Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:34-40

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. - Revelation 2:2-5

Here in Revelation, Jesus is once again making it clear that checking all the boxes (vs 2-3) means nothing if we do not love! We don't know for sure if He was referring to their love for Him, their fellow humans, or some combination; but, we do know that love is so key that He is about to take away their lampstand over it (i.e., render them a Spirit-less (lost) church)!

And here's the kicker: we must love as He loves!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 - John 13:34-35

In fact,

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. - 1 John 4:20

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48

And again:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. - Luke 6:27-36

[Sidenote: the commands about turning the other cheek and giving our shirt also have specific meaning in the culture of that day and not what we tend to assume. Worth looking into.]

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He has the only real answers. Following Him is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Our world is hurting, some would say now more than ever. I obviously don't have all the answers, but I do know where to find them. If you would like to see Him for who He truly is and not how He is often misrepresented, to find the true hope and powerful love He offers, and learn what that actually looks like...ask Him. If you mean it, He will respond (Matthew 7:7-8, Deuteronomy 4:29)!

(And if you live in San Diego, you are welcome to come join my friends and me in exploring all of this together. 😊)

Post-Election Stress Disorder

People have asked me how I'm doing after the election. I frankly couldn't even begin to process things for a good three days. Thanks to things others have shared, and my handy-dandy little brainstorming/mind mapping tool, I'm starting to.

Honestly, I was pretty gutted. I felt like this election showed me that over half this "great" nation is at best dumb and at worst racist, misogynistic, greedy, selfish, and dangerous. And for the ones who call themselves Christians, add to that hypocritical.

I don't know this gentleman, but he pretty much covers what I was feeling (language warning).

As did my cousin:

I don't like thinking and feeling this way, but I also hate having to face the reality that over half the people in this country would apparently rather see me, my son, and my daughter lose our rights or even lives than have to pay a little more for eggs. I have been on "red alert" since 2020 and I am runnin'-on-empty exhausted, especially in the Redneckville area of San Diego where we currently live!

BUT! I am a Christian. I should absolutely not be surprised by the lost-ness all around me. I should have expected it. And by God, I will strive to remain apolitical, love my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me the best I can.

No, sadly, my real problem has been the church. More specifically, my real problem is how many thousands of church-goers call themselves Christians, are supposed to represent Christ to the world, and yet embody so much of what is opposite of God's heart and will!

To be blunt, we should not claim to be Christian if:

• We focus on a small fraction of God's word and will to the neglect of all the rest of it.
• We honestly couldn't care less about widows, orphans, and all the other oppressed and marginalized people in the world (i.e., DO absolutely nothing about it, other than maybe write a check periodically).
• Nationalism is part of our identity.
• Politics and politicians are primary driving factors in our decisions and life.
• Being right is more important to us than being humble or loving.

The Bible is actually ridiculously clear about these things.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

 - Matthew 7:21-23

For modern day readers, this passage is literally Jesus warning us that we can check all of our particular church's little boxes and still go to Hell! How does this happen?

The word translated as "knew" in this passage comes from the Hebrew word, yada. It basically means to know at a deep level, primarily with regard to relationships. Jesus is saying here that we can do all the things but if we don't truly know Him and His true heart -- evidenced by how we live! -- we are lost. There is no "agreeing to disagree" about these things!

And what does it mean to truly know Jesus?

Love.

L.O.V.E.

LUUUUUVAH!

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 - Matthew 22:34-40

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

 - 1 John 4:20, emphasis added

We cannot claim to love our neighbors if we choose what Trump blatantly and proudly represents. Period. We cannot claim to love our brothers and sisters if we stubbornly continue to refuse to listen to them.

[Side note: I am not saying that the "other side" is any holier. I've been avoiding details the best I can, but it seems like a whole lot of the folks involved in Diddy's downright evil nightmares are from the "Left," some very famously so.]

So what's the bottom line?

I think for me it boils down to two questions.

Q1: Can you love Jesus and "love" Trump?

A1: No. You cannot be a "fan" of someone who blatantly represents what he represents and love Jesus.

(Personally, I don't believe you can be devoted to anything earthly and be a follower of Jesus, but that's a different topic.)

Q2: Can you love Jesus and have voted for him in 2024?

A2: This one's hard for me, but I honestly think the answer is, Possibly.

 - I need to spend some time with this one. So, as usual, if you need me, I'll be

Will You Cross The Line?

Imagine a scenario in which four people were set up to play a game of Monopoly for the first time in their lives. They sat in chairs numbered 1 through 4. What they didn't know is that the game had been rigged. The person in the first chair began the game with all their money taken and distributed among the other three players. That means that the people in chairs 2, 3, and 4 would each start with $2000, rather than the normal starting amount of $1500. All players were then told that there would be one significant rule change: each time a player passed Go, they would receive the standard $200 only if they had a net worth of more than $1800. With that in place the game began.

How do you think the game would go? Chances are good that the person in chair #1 would struggle. Not only would they not have any money to purchase property or pay bills, they would find it incredibly difficult to amass enough wealth to start receiving the benefits of passing Go. If the same scenario were replayed 100 times, there would likely be 2 or 3 times where a person in chair #1 broke through the stacked deck and managed to do well, but most times that would not be the case.

Now imagine that in the middle of the game, each player was replaced by a new player who would sit in their chair and take over for them. The new players would know the rule about passing Go, but would be unaware that the starting money was taken from the player in chair #1. What would be the reaction? If you took over for chair #2 on four or five separate occasions, what would you think? Wouldn't you start to wonder what was wrong with the people who sat in chair #1? Why are they always so bad at this? Why were they so frustrated? You might even point out to the poor soul and chair #1 that you were all playing by the same rules, so they just need to work little harder or get better at the game. And while from one perspective, all the players are playing by the same rules, they really are not, are they?

This is an excerpt from the book, Crossing The Line: Culture, Race, and Kingdom, by Michael Burns. The title alludes to crossing the line between two opposing sides, as depicted here. (I personally suspect the actual cross of Christ may be word played a little as well.) It is written to educate and to facilitate true dialogue about race and culture and their very real impact on life, especially in the church.

Please read it.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

 - 1 John 4:20

Will you Cross the line?

America and Me

I look at the TV: your America's doin' well.

I look out the window: my America's catchin' hell.

 - Living Colour

I live in an area where I see American flags everywhere. It's caused me to really think about what it means to me, now, to be an American.

Truth is, it has meant different things at different times.

• Growing up, it was just part of life. I pledged allegiance at school. I sang patriotic songs at events. I thought we were the greatest country in the world.
• When I became old enough to vote, it meant I had a right and a privilege to make a difference, and I took that very seriously.
• When I became a Christian, it started to mean a lot less; i.e., just another earthly affiliation. I still vote, but I have gained an understanding of nationalism's rightful place in the heart and life of a follower of Christ.
• After 9/11, I suddenly felt more patriotic than ever before! I, too, wanted the evil vanquished.
• Since 2020, I can no longer pretend that America is not built on a system that benefits the few at the expense of the many, and those who will fight...and kill...to keep it that way -- all the while ignoring or denying the truth of it all.
• And there is a certain look/type of person that particularly makes me uncomfortable and nervous to even be around. Especially with my kids.
• And these last two points make me very sad.

We are not the greatest nation in the world. In fact, it's very possible that the United States has never been more divided, and this scares me because a nation divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). At this point, we are probably more of a laughing stock than anything else. It is truly embarrassing.

The 4th of July represents something good for some, but not for all. There is no liberty and justice for ALL in this country. And until there is, we won't be anywhere near the greatest nation in the world.

I am not proud to be an American. I am grateful for certain things, but I don't think we've had reason to be proud for quite some time.

Maybe, some day, we will again. Maybe, some day, we will once again aspire to intelligence and not belittle it; not identify ourselves by who we vote for; and, maybe -- just maybe -- not scare so easy.

National Day of Prayer, 2024

Yesterday was this country's National Day of Prayer. Last night, I attended a prayer gathering put on by multiple churches and hosted by a church I'd never been to. As the night went on, I noticed a theme evolve in my mind and heart: God's plan is for those of us who claim to love and follow Him to be the lights in the darkness, and we pretty much have been sucking at that. I feel like God, starting in 2020, has served up on a silver platter a huge opportunity to shine, and we have done the opposite. We have behaved far more like our surrounding culture than the God we follow (attacks when we should have listened, silence when we should have spoken, choosing sides based on earthly ideals, etc.). As some know, my journey with my church has been a long, strange trip indeed. And indeed, it has finally come to an end.

But everything is bigger than that. WAY bigger, in fact, than which church I or anyone else goes to! Jesus prayed for His followers to be unified, and we've pretty much screwed that up royally as well. And the more I watch the world and think and pray about what I see, the more convinced I am becoming that at this point, the real hope on the human side of things lies in certain generational things just going away.

NOTE: Not all, just some. No baby-with-the-bathwater silliness. We actually need all generations to work together to thrive. Sadly, though, some things just need to go.

For one example, as we approach the season where we get to "choose" between a megalomaniac and an apparent genocide supporter, people like this young woman give me even just a little hope; not for the immediate future unfortunately, but for the longer term. I've even had the thought recently that, I wonder if the Doomsday Clock actually measures the increasing number of people who are figuring out how things really work between the have's and have-not's -- and why -- and, subsequently, how much closer we're getting to the breaking point of when enough people have finally had enough. (I'm sure it's not, but the thought really isn't that outlandish, and that's a problem in itself.)

Anyway, at the end of the day, human beings are divided into two fundamental groups: those who are, and those who are not, stupid. It seems our only real hope is that the latter group, like the young woman above, begins and continues to outnumber the former. And as "First World" Christians especially, it seems our part in this is to focus on the author and perfecter of not-stupid and let go of our culturally ingrained nonsense.

And that is something I consider worth praying for, yesterday, today, and every day!

It's Just Money

While we were out of town this past March, we got a Life360 alert that one of our kids' phones experienced some sort of sudden stop, and that one of the things this could mean is an accident. (This is a really lame experience, by the way, especially when you've already been through it once before for real.) Anyway, when we finally got hold of them, we found out that our son had left his phone on top of the car and it ended up going on its own, final adventure. Then,

1. We reported it to Verizon.
2. This lowered our bill by a good amount.
3. We told him he wouldn't be getting another one until he could pay for it.
4. Life was good.
5. Then,

We got an email from Verizon shortly thereafter informing us that, with only three phones, we would be losing whatever bundle discount we had. Ok. Cool. How bad could it be? Then,

I got the latest bill today.

$460.

For THREE phones!

So I've been calming myself by reminding myself that it's just money. It comes and goes. And really, what else can you do about something you never seem to have enough of? Besides, it's not like it's oxygen, or love. Those would be really bad things to never have enough of, right?

So, yeah. It's just money.

It's. Just. Money.

IT'S...eh, I'll let you know how it goes. (No, we won't be paying that.)

Why I Left My Church of 30 Years

It was neither quick nor easy; it was very hard and a very long time coming. And as is almost always the case in situations like this, there are multiple reasons.

The overarching reason is that they maintain their very narrow focus on what's important to God. Their foundation is "The Great Commission" when it should be "The Greatest Commandment." Jesus literally told us this (Matthew 22:36-40)!

One "sub-reason," or symptom of the above, is that they use the language of "family" but they are not. It is Corporate America dressed up as a church. Genuine friendships have of course developed, but "coworkers" is a better comparison when looking at the bigger picture:

• People sit in the same place, with the same people, having the same conversations. 
• There is a clear "org chart" hierarchy delineating who matters more.
• Your worth directly correlates to how much you contribute to the bottom line (growing the church).
• Questioning leadership will almost certainly not end well for you.

(Note on "The Great Commission": While God obviously wants everyone to be with Him in the end (2 Peter 3:9), they mistake God's Prime Directive for theirs. And we didn't even get that right(!), i.e., "teach them to obey everything..." We are called to love Him and each other increasingly well (Mark 12:28-31) and let Him make the fruit grow (1 Cor 3:7). It's almost as if they actually believe He needs our help!)

For many of us, the biggest "sub-reason" or symptom goes much deeper. It is about hurt and harm that has come from abuse, justified by their focus on "the mission," and swept under the rug. Hopefully I can be sensitive to those who have lived this literally(!), but it seems very much like finally admitting you are married to a racist, sexist, abusive narcissist, and you just can't do it any more. In fact, you should not.

Some love to say we should fight to keep the world/local culture from creeping into the church; more and more are realizing we're way past that. We have historically prided ourselves on being diverse and not like the world; however, while our membership has been diverse, our leadership and culture have been (and largely continue to be) White, conservative, American patriarchy. Again, Corporate America dressed up as a church.

And sadly, most seem okay staying on this path and definitely not okay with owning our mistakes and harm and truly working toward healing and real growth.

And this is why I and so many others have left / are leaving / will leave.

We Need Help!

1. Buy a cheap Bible.

2. Tear out everything that is God using one or a few of His people to try to get through to the rest (most if not all of the Prophets, Epistles, Gospels(!), and surprisingly so much more) as opposed to those "outside," and see how much of the Bible is left.

3. SIT WITH THIS for as long as it takes to get that if your "faith" and/or church focuses on outward, quantifiable forms of "productivity" (e.g., evangelism) something is wrong! (Extra credit: watch this video that delves more deeply into this particular focus.)

4. Keep this Bible as an ever-present reminder of what God actually wants us to focus on (Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 7:12).

___________________________

What about today? Is there something -- a recurring theme that keeps coming up -- that God may be trying to get through to the many via the few?

God's plan for His church today is the same as it was back in the Old Testament. He put the Israelites in the "crossroads" of their day so that all nations could be exposed to what it's like to truly live and walk with Him. This plan, however, is predicated on His people actually loving Him and each other truly, as He defines love. We obviously need all the help we can get with this; hence, the challenge exercise above.

In fact, if we're being totally honest, we in the "American Church" have failed miserably at this...and we will have to answer for it. Or what else do you think Jesus was trying to warn us about in Matthew 7:21-23?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

For my first two or so years as a follower of Jesus, I wholeheartedly believed that this applied to "others" (i.e., those outside my church). Ever since the day I realized that this applies to EVERYONE I have considered this the scariest passage in the entire Bible. ("scary" as in sobering in a terrifying way 😁)

Notice that Jesus does not contradict them; He does not say, "No you did not do those things." Instead, Jesus is straight up warning us that we can literally check all our religion's/church's little boxes and still go to Hell!

And in warning us, He (1) literally contrasts God's actual will with our little boxes(!) and (2) boils it all down so simply to not truly knowing us.

Please join me in praying (and fighting) for our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), our lampstands (Revelation 2:5), and both our and our hearers' souls (1 Timothy 4:16).

Life Now

As we approach the end of 2022, what I refer to as our Blip seems largely like a memory to most. Not for me, though. I have realized lately that I am like someone who has been forever changed by, and cannot move past, a recent abuse. Over the past few years I have expected much I did not see or receive and have seen/received much I never would have expected, and it has changed me. I have been processing something that is just now starting to crystalize.

As a person of color living in America, I haven't truly felt safe since college. Unlike many people of color, however, I've never been part of a community where I did feel safe, especially to discuss such things. I have, over the past few decades, been part of a community where (I realize now) I told myself I was safe; not to discuss such things of course, but at least safe from overt attacks. I no longer have even this "refuge," as I no longer feel safe even there.

I've also realized a fundamental change in how I see America; I see two types of people. There are those who, frankly, want essentially what Hitler wanted, and then there's everyone else. The first group either forgets or denies the true origins and history of this "great" nation and seems to honestly believe a slew of things that would be laughable if they weren't all so dangerous. Oh, and I happen to live in the part of my city that is populated mostly by people in this group.

(The benefit-of-the-doubt part of me still wants to defend some of these folks, telling myself that they are "just blissfully ignorant and are only thinking about the financial side of things, especially for themselves; and, while this is certainly still grotesquely self-centered, it's not really hate and $&^%$# supremacy, right?!" This excuse doesn't really work any more, though.)

My wife has been watching "The Watcher" and today I saw some of episode two. There is a scene where Naomi Watts' character talks about how angry she is at what's happening to them, saying, "Is that what we should be telling our kids? That if somebody terrorizes us we just let them?" I choked on and nearly spit out my soup...and then said, "Welcome to Black America, sister!" I wasn't trying to be funny.

But of course it's not just Black America; it's Everyone-but-one-specific-demographic (or their cohorts and wannabes) America. My wife just finished watching "The US and the Holocaust" on PBS and I was in the room for the last 30 minutes of the last episode. It ended an hour ago and I have been crying or trying not to cry since. It is the definition of "profound" in what it conveys and how. It's not easy to watch, but I recommend it to everyone. Trust me, it's not just what you've seen or heard before!

Anyway...I find it cathartic to write out what I'm feeling, to share it, and to receive encouragement from the few who will send some. (Thank you in advance, by the way!! I pretty much know who you are at this point lol, and it means more than you probably realize.) I'm done now, though. Back to processing, navigating, and figuring out where to go from here and how to get there....

_________________________________________________________

The Westernization Of God

Do you believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ...or the Gospel of The West?

There are things I have believed my entire Christian life which simply are not true. Below are just a few of them.

Vision

Without vision, the people perish....

 - Proverbs 29:18

This passage has been used for decades to support the concept that God calls us to dream for Him and have dreams for our own lives. He does not. This is a Western concept, not at all what God had in mind. The word translated here as "vision" actually refers to divine revelation; in other words, without hearing from God (e.g., the Bible for us today), the people perish.

Hopes and goals are great. Set grounded goals and faithfully go after them, for God's glory. If, though, you insist on "having a dream for your life," you just don't get to get upset with God or lose faith if it doesn't work out. You have no Biblical guarantees of dreams coming true regarding relationships, career, where you live, or anything else earthly.

(Fortunately, in this case, even the NIV has recently been updated to reflect a more accurate translation: "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.")

My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

 - Isaiah 55:8

This passage is used so often to convey things like, "well, there's no telling why this is happening in my/your life, cuz you know, God's ways aren't our ways." That is not what it's about. Contextually, God is explaining why He will have mercy on those who turn back to Him, as opposed to the typical human ways of not showing mercy or having grace.

Can this be applied more broadly? Possibly. We need to be cautious (!), though, when trying to use Scripture for something other than its original intent.

Plans For Your Future

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 - Jeremiah 29:11

Oh boy. So, some promises are universal (all followers for all time) and some are for the specific audience at that time. Unfortunately, this is one of the latter. God makes other promises for all of us that could, maybe be argued to amount to this to some degree, but quite simply we have no Biblical guarantees of earthly prosperity, ease, or anything else of that nature.

Turning The Other Cheek

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

- Matthew 5:39

Used to teach people that we should not resist, physically or otherwise, when someone is trying to hurt or harm us, this is not at all what the original hearers took from it. In that culture, there is a big difference between your right and left hands. One is used for all things clean, the other for the unclean. If someone struck you, they were obviously in the wrong, regardless of station or status. Forcing them to strike you a second time with the unclean hand by turning your head, though, put them on display in a far more humiliating and taboo way.

Where You Live

From one man he made all the people of the world. Now they live all over the earth. He decided exactly when they should live. And he decided exactly where they should live.

 - Acts 17:26

This has been used to teach that God chooses where we live (i.e., exact address) and when. It actually refers to the times and places God determined for entire peoples, i.e., cultures and nations throughout history. Fortunately, this translation too has been updated: From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

Nationalism/Patriotism

"God bless America."

Yeah, no. Jesus/God is apolitical, at best. God loves, works for, and fights for America no more than He does any other temporary human organization. We are not His people any more than anyone else (the Hebrews were for a while, but we never were). You literally cannot serve both "God and country" (same as Money); one must come first.

"Conclusion"

All I have attempted to do here is present the truth (these are just some examples) with some suggested places to start digging (below). I do this, and in this way, for three reasons:

1. By misunderstanding, misusing, and misrepresenting the word of God, we set ourselves and others up for possibly years of frustration and wasted time;
2. Once you fully embrace the fact that the Scriptures were written to a vastly different audience and culture and that this matters, you begin a journey of discovery and re-discovery that brings them to life more than ever before; and,
3. I am in no way qualified to try to lead you on this journey.

I pray you take the challenge and dig deep. I pray too that you find the same joy, depth, and new life that I have only begun to find!

Resources:

• https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/-1
• https://www.douglasjacoby.com/
• https://www.malcolmcox.org/
• https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/about
• https://www.athensinstitute.org/

I Have Decided

 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”
 - Mark 14:17-19

Jesus loved Judas so well that even after living together for three years, none of his other disciples even had a hint that it was Judas who would betray Him!

What is the hardest part and truest test of being a follower of Jesus? I think it may just be choosing, as often as needed(!), to fight the good fight to love people the way Jesus loved Judas.

This does not always mean striving to maintain friendships; after all, Jesus had his 12 but He also had his three, and Judas was not part of the three (Peter, James, and John). This does mean loving sincerely and deeply from the heart (1 Peter 1:22), even if it can only be from a distance (Romans 12:18).

I decided to follow Jesus almost 30 years ago, and these past 2.5 have easily been the hardest. But I'm sticking with my decision, no matter what. I have decided, again...and I will keep on deciding!

I mean...in view of His life, love, example, and sacrifice, how could I not?!

Help Me Understand Please

 

We have lived with rules like this for decades. Why, now that society at large has decided to trust science and accurately teach history, are we suddenly hearing cries of losing our rights and freedoms?

Is it because you don't like or agree with the new rules?

Is that what makes something unconstitutional?

Some might call that ignorant.

Some might call that patriotic.

Some might call that privilege.

What do you call it?

What I Need To Do

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
 - 1 Peter 2:23

How did He do that?!

There's also this:

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame....

 - Hebrews 12:2

HOW DID HE DO THAT?!?!

Here's what I think:

Jesus didn't let what people thought, believed, said, or did affect Him...and I think I may have figured out how:

1. He knew His destiny.

2. He focused on how it all affected them.

Jesus knew that no matter what anyone else thought, believed, said, or did, His destiny was secured. Totally and completely unaffected.

Jesus also knew that everything that others thought, believed, said, or did absolutely affected them; and, that was His focus.

I need to imitate this.

Allegiance

My church preached a series a while back on allegiances. Frankly, I feel the mark was largely missed, primarily due to beating around the bush; but, it did make me think...:

al·le·giance

/əˈlējəns/

noun

loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause.

"those wishing to receive citizenship must swear allegiance to the republic"

Can a true follower of Christ have an allegiance to any earthly organization?

Can one be a devoted Democrat and a disciple of Jesus?

Can one be a devoted Republican and a disciple of Jesus?

Can one be a devoted member of a certain denomination or church* and a disciple of Jesus?

 - *Earthly church organization, not Christ's true church.

What about our race, ethnic, or other identity group?

Antifa? Patriot? BLM?

And so on....

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

 - Matthew 6:24

 

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

  - 2 Timothy 2:4

I believe the biblical answer is, no: we cannot claim to be a Christian and swear loyalty to any earthly organization, political or otherwise. Why? Simple: because no earthly organization is truly and completely loyal to Christ.

We can be members of things, or take healthy pride in our heritage/identity, but when our earthly allegiances start to be the priority in how we think, decide, and act, we are in serious danger on many levels, not the least of which is from horribly misrepresenting the One we claim to hold dearest.

As one pastor put it, "We cannot be ambassadors of a [heavenly] kingdom if we are advocates for a political ideology."

We owe it to God and all our "hearers" to examine ourselves, honestly.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

 - 2 Corinthians 13:5

What's It All About?

Members of my church would (hopefully, anyway! LOL) agree that if someone willfully continues to lust, they are in danger of throwing away their salvation. Or if they willfully continue to steal. Or if they continue to ignore the plights of the poor and oppressed...

Wait a minute...actually, they wouldn't agree on that last one, would they? And why not?

I believe it's because of how and what we have -- and have not -- been taught over the years. It's a simple matter of training and conditioning.

It's not that we haven't read Scriptures like Hosea 12:6, Amos 5:15, Matthew 12:18, or Luke 11:42 (though, if we're being totally honest, OT verses are read FAR less frequently than NT); it's that we gloss over them. All organizations have their focal points and we have been no exception. We have all been asked countless times questions like

• How are your Quiet Times?
• How's your purity?
• How's your giving (i.e., money to the church)?
• Have you "shared your faith" today?

Let's face it: our historical focal point boils down to growing the church (we call it other things, like "making disciples," but at the end of the day....). When was the last time someone asked you about your serving the poor or working for justice??

Being a true Christian boils down to one thing, and it's not What Would Jesus Do? We KNOW what Jesus would do: He would do whatever God wanted Him to (Luke 22:42)! So the question -- what it's all about -- is this: What does God want? And not just some of His will (what humans in temporary leadership positions choose to focus on), all of it!

----------------------------------

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

 - Matthew 21:31-32

Open Letter To The Church

Do you believe racism isn't a problem because you're not racist?

Do you believe rape isn't a problem because you're not a rapist?

Do you believe hunger isn't a problem because you're not hungry?

Murder? Poverty? Oppression?

Do you understand where this is rooted??

Or think about it this way:

Have you or someone you love been raped? When Americans, including in the church, begin insisting more and more -- and they will -- that the rape culture we've created be dealt with head on and destroyed, what will you do?
When people in the church say we shouldn't be talking about that, how will you feel?
What will you think of those saying that?
How will you view them?

What if this were about adultery? Would there even be a debate?!
If so(!), what would you think of the people in the "we shouldn't be talking about this" camp?
What kinds of things might you suspect?
If you were a victim of adultery, how would you feel?

Taking these scenarios a step further, how would you feel if rapists or adulterers got up every week and essentially ignored the issue while telling you how to behave?
Especially if done in the guise of pleasing God?!

And...what would you do?

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
    or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
    till he has established justice in the earth;
    and the coastlands wait for his law.
 - Isaiah 42:1-4

As a church we need to confess and repent, and each member simply must choose between pride and humility. It is no more complicated than that.

💔

Current Status: I Am...Good

I recently went through all my blog and Facebook posts from the last several months. Man...I've been pretty angry. I guess that's what happens when 30+ years of suppressed emotions erupt like Mt. St. Helens. There were a few posts this year I quickly deleted after I made them, but all the posts that are still there I stand by. I am not, however, feeling angry anymore.

I am sad, and I am disappointed. I have had to accept some harsh realities and make some difficult decisions with regard to some relationships and situations in my life, and I am definitely grieving the losses. (Heck, I feel like I'm kind of a pro at grieving by now. ;) )

This year has been a time of profound hurt and frustration; a time of self discovery and honesty; and, a time of love and encouragement, seeing who my true friends are. I have some amazing people in my life; people who when I say I'm hurting believe and listen to me, and people who are willing to drive two hours to be with me or open their homes when I need a friend. I don't deserve such good friends, and I am profoundly and eternally grateful!

All in all, I am good. And I will keep going...and growing.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

 - James 1:12