Refuge?

As Christians (or the church as we're sometimes thought of) we're suppose to be a group for those looking for refuge. You know, a place where those in need come to find help. We're suppose to care about others before ourselves right? There's no greater way to show your love and care for someone in need than to give of yourself to them. Jesus said we should follow His example and love one another as He loved us: sacrificially and unconditionally.

I recently found that a friend of mine experienced the opposite in her hour of need. I don't know all the details. But then again, I don't need to know them. What I do know is that she found no refuge when she needed it. She found only that those she thought would walk with her were too busy to stop and listen and realize that she was hurting and in need of their friendship and compassion.

This is not good. If we can't slow down enough to care and be the refuge for those we say we love, then what good are we to God or anyone else?

I had my eyes opened anew because of this. I have been driven down new paths of thoughts concerning the church and how we treat each other and whether or not we really care about each other or about God lately. (The two are extremely closely related - see Mt. 25:35) This instance is just the latest in a long line. I have some folks in my life that have a mantra: "Love God. Love Others. Anything we involve ourselves in other than those two things is a distraction." I am beginning to see some wisdom in those words.

What if my friend's friends had operated under those two principles? Maybe she would know a little more of the intimacy of the love of Christ. But instead, I sense she has lost a little of her faith... maybe not in Christ... but certainly in His body - us, the church.

American Christianity

Ahem... La La La La... Mi Mi Mi Mi... okay I'm ready...

I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except by me... and if he's a republican... and only if he's pro-life... oh wait! No gays either. They're an abomination. And they must be American patriots. No sissy pacifists either! Also, he better have voted for "W" and he'd best not have voted for that heathen Obama! And low taxes! he's gotta believe in low taxes! Also, if you're a woman, you need to know your place if you want in to my kingdom - no woman leaders allowed in my kingdom! My peep Paul said it straight and he meant it! And you must be pro-israel. Screw the muslims! They are eeeeviiiilllll!!! You help a muslim, forget it. You're not getting in. No catholics either. They follow some guy in a big white shiny hat. They're idolaters. They ain't allowed!

Hey God... did I miss anyone. You think them Americans will be happy? What was that? Socialists? Oh! Yeah! Socialists! No socialists either people.

And no one who takes this post seriously.

Amen.

A Conversation with My Daughter

While I was walking tonight, I had an almost hour long texting conversation with my daughter. She is in Wyoming (though texting from Salt Lake City where she is visiting) and I am in Texas. She is coming back to Texas and the heat in a few days though and we are excited!

I thought there was something special about the convo, though I am not sure what. Our conversation consisted of the mundane, the seriously spiritual, and some memories all wrapped up in a little humor. I don't know... Maybe it was just that we were sharing our lives with each other without the weight of the baggage that has been plaguing our relationship the last few years. Anyways, send me your thoughts after you read it...

Note: I kept the bad grammar and punctuation as it appeared to preserve the essence of the brevity of texting. We still did some good communicatin' though!

Dad: What doin?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Huh?
Dad: Well?
Dad: ...

[Later]

Daughter: Haha I was in barnes and noble reading a book:)
Daughter: I left my phone in the truck! Sorry!!!
Dad: No prob
Dad: I'm walking at the track
Daughter: Fun fun! I want to go!
Dad: U can when you get back
Daughter: Awesome! How hot is it?
Dad: Not hot its 9pm here
Daughter: Did it get pretty hot today though?
Dad: Yes 97
Dad: Tomorrow and sun same
Daughter: Wow it's pretty hot here in salt lake it was 89 i think
Dad: Thats not hot. Its 81 here now
Daughter: idk how I'm gonna survive when I get there lol
Dad: You'll adjust
Daughter: Yup! So how are you? Trudy? The boys?
Dad: Fine. Same O
Dad: Trudys not at UPS anymore so she's happy
Daughter: We went to famous daves for dinner and I am stuffed! And I bet she's happy! Back to regular sleep schedule after what? 4 years or so?
Dad: 6 i think
Daughter: Wow longer than I thought. She was working there when I was in middle school?
Dad: yes
Dad: Time flies
Dad: Make it count for somethin
Daughter: Well I have a bad memory! Time does fly by! Coming to slat lake reminded me of all the crazy traffic! I'll have to adjust to that too
Dad: Yep
Daughter: That's what I plan to do! Life is only so long
Dad: Course eternity is just that: eternal
Daughter: True. I'm scared to die though
Dad: Most r. Whats your reason?
Daughter: idk like sometimes I;m just sitting there thinking and reality smacks me upside the head and it hits me, were only on this earth so long. And I have no idea what its going to be like when I die. I just know I won't be walking this earth anymore, the thought just freaks me out. Then I stop thinking about it because it scares me so much.
Dad: Yeah. Know that. Knowing Christ helps me.
Daughter: I think if I get involved in church and really stick with it, praying and whatnot, I won't be as scared.
Dad: Knowing Christ is more about being with him than doing anything.
Dad: Most make it into a set of rules to be performed in front of a mean ruler.
Dad: Not so.
Dad: Spend time with him just having a conversation
Dad: Bible is simply the story of him making a way for us to be able to talk and spend time with him
Dad: Church is suppose to b a place for encouragement from fellow travelers
Dad: Sadly some don't understand that
Dad: Charlie does tho
Daughter: I know I'll understand all of that someday. It can't happen overnight.
Dad: Nope. Takes time spent with the savior
Daughter: Definitely. You are full of wisdom!
Dad: Same as it takes time to get to know anyone else
Daughter: But you can never know everything about anyone. There's not enough time.
Dad: 43 years of trial and error tends to wise ya up!
Daughter: Whoa!!!! Last time I remembered, you were like 40. Time needs to stop flying, seriously.
Dad: Ur right. U never fully understand God who is infinite. Think if ants tried to understand humans.
Dad: Same with us and god
Daughter: That's impossible. Not because they're ants, just cuz were huge and they're tiny.
Dad: BUT god makes us a way thru christ for us to commune with him
Dad: listening to iron maiden. Up the irons!
Dad: Heavy metal...
Dad: Was listening to old big band music earlier
Dad: different huh?
Daughter: I've never listened to them before. I'm watching school of rock lol
Daughter: I like heavy metal...you should look up seasons after on myspace
Dad: Look up iron maiden aces high
Dad: On itunes on ur phone
Daughter: Mmkay
Dad: Also download pandora app for free music streamed. U can choose a singer and it will play them and simgers from same genre
Daughter: I have pandora and slacker radio
Dad: Never heard of slacker. Punch iron maiden on pandora
Daughter: I like that song aces high and slacker is like pandora but you can search an exact song and it will pop up and play, then after that, it will play similar songs like pandora
Dad: Oh. I will have to check it out.
Daughter: Mmkay it's an app, its free
Dad: Downloading it now
Daughter: Awesome! You might like it, I like it better than pandora, but opinions differ.
Dad: Goin to ihop later for midnight dessert
Dad: Yum
Daughter: Haha with the fam?
Dad: Yep
Dad: We'll need to go when ur back
Daughter: Fun fun!:) I don't even want to think about food right now
Daughter: And yes we will! I remember when me you and Marissah would go to whataburger like at 2 in the morning
Dad: Yep. Boys and i have done that 2
Dad: We went and 8 a full dinner 1 time. Felt blech! afterwards
Daughter: Lol I like their breakfast burritos yummm
Daughter: That tend to happen in the early morning idk why
Dad: This was like 1 am. I was up til 4 feelin blech
Dad: Done walkin. Gettin in the shower. Gnight
Daughter: I would be too!
Daughter: Goodnight:)

The Authentic Christian Nation.

"The ascended christ reigns over the church and all societies but in different ways. In truth, the only "Christian nation" is the body of Christ as it is dispersed throughout all peoples and in all times. Confusion on this point has resulted in far-reaching consequences."

Read more here.

Happiness.

I think most times, God is busily stripping us of the idols we have clothed ourselves in. I don't think He cares much about what we want that we think will make us happy. There are many more imminent issues concerning our lives in relation to the Kingdom of God than our pipe dreams of wealth, health and happiness.

I'm Not Here Much, but I am I on Facebook All the Time.

I like Facebook. So therefore you'll find me commenting and dialoguing there more than just writing a static piece here. So if you have a Facebook account, "Friend" me and let me know you found me here and I will accept you as a friend even if I don't know you. If you have no idea what "friending" is, don't be too alarmed. Go to facebook.com and open an account and then look me up.

You can also click the facebook badge over there on the right side of this page.

I will still write from time to time here - maybe once every other month or so. Maybe more, maybe less. So if you care to keep up with me, facebook is the place. You can email me as well. My address is over there to the right.

-Alan

P.S. I am also on Twitter @apcreative.

Are We Really Known By It?

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


“You must rail against an immoral society. By this all men will know that you are my disciples.”

“You must be a part of the “right” political party. By this all men will know you are my disciples.”

“You must point out others’ sins. By this all men will now you are my disciples.”

“You must agree with me on all doctrinal issues – especially those pesky controversial ones. By this all men will know you are my disciples.

“You must believe the Bible is inerrant. By this all men will know you are my disciples.”

Some of those are actually good things. I wonder why Jesus didn’t say any of those instead of saying we would be known by our love for one another? You’d think He did say many of them by what we focus on sometimes.

We are intent on becoming the world’s moral and spiritual police. We want to be the Holy Spirit in everyone’s lives. We want to tell others how to vote, what to believe and how to live their lives. We are the first to point out doctrinal errors in their belief systems and we LIKE it! We argue about everything under the sun when it comes to doing life together in church. We enjoy power struggles and beating up on one another verbally (and in a few cases, physically) when they get in our way. We scheme against and seek to discredit and destroy one another to get or keep control. We are not doing the things we need to be doing so that people will know we are Christ’s. We are not loving one another. We are trying to control each other instead. This should not be. If it's true in your life, stop. Repent. Love.

Now consider these words of Christ:

"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 sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?


This passage talks of easy love versus real love. It's easy to love those we already care about. It's easy to love those who we know are fellow believers - those who are safe. We can do it and so can unbelievers according to this passage.

Yet this verse talks of loving those who hate us – those that are diametrically opposed to us. And if we are really honest, we’ll admit that we hate them back just as much. Our words and actions show this more often than not. Oh, we can talk all day long about how we don't hate the sinner, just the sin he's committing. But come on - that's a cop out. It's an easy out. It's a way to justify our continued hatred towards those we feel are damaging us, our society and dishonoring our Lord. It's no wonder we are hated. We are spending way too much time being outraged and too little time loving.

So what is our correct response? Well, sin is sin. We should be heartbroken over it in our lives and in the lives of those we see it ruining. And yes, we should be outraged and righteously angry over it. We know the damage it will do if left unchecked. But we should be on our knees for them pleading God’s mercy and conviction upon their lives. We should be begging Him to change them, not on our bullhorns screaming in their faces. We should never sin in our anger… ever. We are held to a higher standard. We are to love those who hate and persecute us.

We also need to repent for our attitude towards those we have hated. It is never right to hate anyone. I can’t think of a single passage in the Bible where God says it’s okay to hate anyone. And once we repent, we then need to find ways to love them and show them the love of our Father. God loved us and drew us to Him while we hated Him. What makes us think we can do any different?

Further, note that it says we are to love our enemies, "that we may be sons of our Father in heaven." Boy that puts some pressure on us. Sound familiar? Our love for our enemies confirms that God is our Father. So if we don’t love our enemies, then what does that prove about us?

So why these two passages together?

Because they deal with how God wants us to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ, and how we are to treat our enemies – meaning those that are lost. That pretty much covers the bases. If we love both groups of people, we have it covered. Now how cool would it be to put this kind of love into practice? Somehow I think that if we indeed loved the way God wants us to, we could just stand back and watch God use our obedience to change lives for eternity. After all, what is more important than that?

Take My Life.