A Thanksgiving Faith

I had prepared for what certainly would have been an incredibly profound and moving (for those who do not know me, I'm kidding) lesson for a Thanksgiving service.  However, as is wont to happen in Iowa this time of year, weather intervened and the service was cancelled.  Still, let me state the main point of my punditry here as a commemoration of this Thanksgiving Day 2010. 

In St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthian Christians, he makes a clear and certain statement that thanksgiving is not just something we do ourselves, but it is the result of our deeds of service to others.  In fact, Paul goes so far as to say that it is our "obedience that accompanies" our "confession of the gospel of Christ" that causes others to praise God and give thanks.  

• This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  (II Corinthians 9:12-13) 

This is right down the line with what James declares in the canonized sermon that bears his name, "faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)  Of course, Jesus said it first and best in his Sermon on the Mount, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:26)

So on this day of Thanksgiving in which Americans take time to thank God for all the blessings and opportunities bestowed so graciously upon this great nation, it is important for all followers of Jesus to remember that our influence and effect upon our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our country are all based on a faith in Christ that expresses itself in tangible and sacrificial acts of service.

When our faith is a reflection of God's mission to us in Jesus Christ, then we and others can proclaim with St. Paul (in II Corinthians 9:15), "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Fire In The Bones

I shocked myself yesterday! 

I had interviewed for a job several months ago that I thought I wanted.  The job would have demanded a huge amount of time and a commitment that would have effectively kept me from ever serving as a pastor in a church again.  It also would have meant a substantial increase in my income, which, of course, is very attractive right now.

Well, after not hearing from the interviewer for many months, and naturally assuming the opportunity was gone, I received a phone call yesterday asking me if I was still interested in this position.  This call came a few days after I had been eliminated from consideration for a pastor position at a congregation I deeply desired to serve.  It also came at the greatest point of discouragement in my search for a new pastoral call after over two years of seeking.  And this came at a time that finances are getting tighter, and family needs are getting greater.

Of course, I would take this position.  Right?  Well, I shocked myself by immediately saying, "No, I am no longer interested."  When I disconnected the phone, I thought, "What did I just do?"  Even more mysterious, "Why did I just do what I just did?" 

Then it hit me --- I did not want to put myself in a position where I cannot find a new call to serve as a pastor!  Despite everything, this call still is strong, even an overwhelming priority.  As Jeremiah so graphically paints it (in Jeremiah 20:9):
       His word is in my heart like a fire,
       a fire shut up in my bones.
       I am weary of holding it in;
       indeed, I cannot.

This is my call.  The "staff is still in my hand." This is what I must seek to do, as long as God so wills.  So, my search continues for a congregation with which I can share this "fire."

Lamenting The PCUSA Search Process

I have never really been a fan of the process used by most churches in the Presbyterian Church USA for selecting new pastors.  It is long, generally impersonal, given to mis-impressions, overly analytical, not prayer oriented enough, too secretive, and in the end not very effective.  Most congregations are not satisfied with the pastor they have chosen, and most pastors are not particularly thrilled with their congregation.  While the 2000 plus ministers seeking a new call partly indicates this, I am very aware that most pastors when they gather without their parishioners present commence to complain about their charges.  Rarely in almost 30 years of ministry have I heard a minister speak about their church with fondness and respect.  When I have, it has stood out clearly and refreshingly.  I resolved years ago to not kvetch about the people I serve, even if there was good justification (as I saw things) for doing so.

Anyway, the PCUSA selection process is geared to the candidate who can present the best appearance in a limited, short-term process --- kind of like going on a date and then deciding whether or not to get married!  O yes there are references, which, while helpful, are obviously going to be favorable since they were selected by the candidate.  The weekend interview is very illuminating, but only the few on the pastor nominating committee get to meet with the potential new leader of their congregation, and most any minister can muster a pleasant personality and decent sermon for one 2 to 3 day encounter.

Personally, I'm getting tired of the PCUSA selection process.  Of course, I've been stuck in these ecclesiastical doldrums for nigh on to 2 years now, so my inability to escape this process has certainly colored my perspective.  But after interview after interview, conversation after conversation, phone call after phone call, and being told for the umpteenth time that I was the next choice after the one who was called, I'm ready for a whole new approach to selecting a pastor in the PCUSA.  Here are my suggestions for a new approach that I think would make for better matches and more lively ministries.  Of course, I know no one will take any of these seriously, but permit me to indulge this cathartic rant.

First, get rid of the matching services of the PCUSA offices in Louisville.  Let pastors freely contact pastor nominating committees and pastor nominating committees freely contact pastors --- even those pastors who are not actively seeking another call.  Most of the churches I have been matched with are far from what I am seeking and I am usually far from what they are seeking.  In fact, I, an ardent biblical conservative who makes my evangelical orientation very clear in my Personal Information Form, have been matched at times with liberal More Light congregations!  Let's save the waste of paper when these congregations send out their "Dear Pastor" letters to all the matched candidates who they would never consider in this age or the age to come.

Second, ban phone interviews!  They are useless, and no one can really get a read on another person just through listening to a person speak to the air from miles away.  All interviews should be face-to-face.  Computers make it very easy to set up face-to-face encounters, and if possible, do an interview in person.  Give each candidate the opportunity to come and meet the pastor nominating committee in person.  Since those who do this would do so at their own expense, the committee would get an idea of how sincere the candidate's interest really is.  So what if this gives an advantage to local candidates.  It all evens out because it is also far easier for the committee to do more in depth research on a local candidate's ministry and character.

Third, take away the secrecy.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, this will create complications for candidates who currently are serving churches.  But what is so bad about a minister being open and honest about the possibility that they may be moving on?  This can be a great opportunity for a pastor and their church to deal with issues, understand one another better, and maybe even make the need to move unnecessary.  And what if it does still happen?  At least then the congregation losing a pastor can be more prepared, and will have dealt with the leaving in some fashion directly with the departing pastor, thus lessening the grief issues in the interim period.  Genuineness and authenticity among ministers and churches --- what a concept!

Fourth, make the on site interview at least a week long with the involvement of the whole congregation.  Have the candidate start the week on Sunday with a sermon, and then meet with people throughout the week in a variety of situations, from question and answer meetings to one-on-one conversations.  Make sure the candidate does a teaching series during the week, maybe even a "revival" week.  When the next Sunday comes around, do the worship service according to the ideas of the candidate, thus revealing the emphases and preferences this minister would bring to the church if they were called to be the "permanent" pastor.

After this week, the people would have a far more authentic and reliable experience of the style, personality, skills, and character of the candidate.  Sure, there may be some disagreement among the people regarding which candidate would be best, but at least the disagreements would be based on a truer and more complete knowledge rather than just illusionary impressions.  Plus, this kind of disagreement happens anyway in the present "neutral pulpit" process, except that there isn't any opportunity to process the disagreements in reconciling, maturing ways that increase the spiritual health of the congregation.

Fifth, never ever under any circumstances even begin to entertain the slightest possibility of interviewing a candidate who has not personally shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with at least 5 people in the last 3 months!  And give priority consideration to those who have actually led someone to Christ in these same months!  Our PCUSA congregations are literally held back by the ineptitude of pastors who either don't or won't do personal evangelism.  If a pastor doesn't share the Gospel on a regular basis, there is no way on God's earth that this same pastor can lead a church in healthy spiritual growth!

And sixth, don't ever continue considering a pastor who doesn't pray with the search team.  I don't mean some mealy mouthed recitation of some nice platitudes, but the heartfelt passion that comes from a soul who is in constant and intense communion with God as friend, lover, and sovereign Master!  We are talking "deep calling to deep" kind of praying.  If a pastor is not a person who "walks with the Lord in the cool of the evening," then they are not the kind of pastor who will be able to walk with a parishioner or a whole congregation in their time of trial.  As the prospective pastor prays, the nominating committee members need to ask themselves if this sounds like a professional clergy person who is seeking a hired position, or a loving shepherd who will serve the sheep with a servant's heart!

Well, there it is.  I feel a little better.  Now, back to preparing for this evening's phone interview....

God's Politics (abbreviated version)

As we all engage today in that great American privilege of voting, we do so amidst a cacophony of voices that are accusatory and condemning of those who disagree. Sure, this is not the case with every person involved in the American political process, but clearly there is little humility or grace exhibited in the political conversation in our nation this day. With great discredit to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many in the Christian community are vociferously making their ideology supreme over their theology. Those on the ideological "Right" accuse those on the "Left" of everything from being uncaring to conspiring maliciously to destroy the United States. And there are the incredible attacks those on the "Left" make on the "Right." From vicious ad hominem ridicule (as in the case of Sarah Palin) to attacking conservatives as the "enemy," as our own President Obama did when speaking to a Latino group recently.

Now, I'm not trying to be cute here. I am politically conservative, and I believe in the superiority of capitalism over socialism, and of a free society over a managed society. However, I am also quite aware that I have brothers and sisters in Christ who sympathize and support "left-of-center " political causes and candidates. As I read the Bible, being the simple Kansas farm boy that I am, it seems pretty clear that my relationship as a fellow disciple of Jesus Christ is far above and far more permanent than anything in the political realm. God wants my theology always to trump my ideology! The Apostle Paul drives this truth home in his letter to the Romans (who, appropriate to this discussion, were very much like us Americans in so many ways).

• If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.  ...You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? ...For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  ...Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. ...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.... (Romans 14:8a, 10ac, 13a, 17)

Plus, again as I read the Bible, I am to support and pray for my political leaders regardless of their ideology, politics, and even their personal beliefs. In fact, not only am I to pray for my leaders in my society, but I am to view them with the eyes of God: as humans for whom Christ died and who God loves regardless of their faults and shortcomings. So, I am not to view my leaders, my fellow citizens, and my fellow Christians through political lenses, but through the lens of the Cross, which makes us all fellow sinners in need of a non-partisan Saviour!

It seems God works with whatever political systems are in play in any society of people. All economic and governmental systems tend toward corruption, since human sinfulness is inherent in all systems no matter how well planned or how well intended. This does not mean that God is (or that we should be) totally neutral about politics and governing institutions. Clearly, occultic racist Nazism and soulless Marxism are to be deplored and fought against, while democratic and egalitarian practices in governing are to be rightly preferred. The more a political system works against the significance and dignity of humans as made in the image of God, the more it is to be opposed. The more a system affirms these basic realities of humans, the more we should embrace it. This is a biblical view that Christians of all cultures, politics, and countries can affirm together.

I will vote today for those candidates that I believe will help the most in keeping the United States a nation of free men and women who can enjoy economic opportunity with the least government interference. Yet, the Christian writer who impresses me as one of the most insightful followers of Jesus Christ I know of is Jacque Ellul, who while espousing an "anarchist approach," was a very passionate and active French socialist. Clearly, there are things in my life that are far more important than who I vote for and what kind of government I want. Quite literally, thank God for that. What a bleak existence it would be if my highest aspirations and most meaningful actions were merely political.

As we exercise our rights today and vote for what we believe are the best candidates for our society and government, I pray that those of us who count ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ will remember who we really are, Who really makes our lives worthwhile, and what kingdom we are really committed to. In so doing, we will be able to see our political adversaries first and foremost as persons who we love and pray for because of Christ and his sacrifice for us all. Hopefully, we can pray with love for those we vote against, and pray with humility for those we vote with. Let the world see something that transcends the fury and ferociousness of human-centered politics. Let the world see a God-centered people, and in wonder see again the work of God described in Acts 4:32, "All the believers were one in heart and mind."

God's Politics (full version)

There was a time in my life that I was an ardent reader of Sojourners Magazine, a publication of the Sojourners community based in Washington, D.C.  Their ideas and experience in doing Christian community and ministry were very illuminating to me, and influenced me greatly in my own passion for solidarity with the outcasts and marginalized of society.  From around 1985 to 1992, I could hardly wait until the next edition of this cutting edge magazine came out.

This all began to change in 1991 when I was talking with a friend of mine who was a member of the Bruderhof Community, an "all-things-in-common" Anabaptist communion that emphasizes biblical justice.  When I referred to a recent Sojourners article, naively assuming he of all people would be conversant with this magazine and the community behind it, he shocked me with his retort, "I don't read Sojourners."  "What?  Why don't you read Sojourners?"  I stammered.  "Because they are guided by their ideology, not the Bible," he calmly stated.

I couldn't believe it.  But the damage was done to my unquestioning acceptance of Sojourners being radically biblical in their opinions and positions.  I began to read the magazine with both eyes open, and, lo and behold, it became clear to me that the Sojourners ideology trumped the Bible almost every time they came into conflict.   Still, I kept attempting to rationalize this tendency (after all, no one likes admitting that they were so wrong with so much passion).  But finally, the truth became too obvious even for me when this community and their writers claimed that Christians could not be sure what the Scriptures taught concerning homosexuality.  This from the same people who could categorically declare with absolute certainty a biblical mandate for the United States unilaterally disarming itself and capitalism being intrinsically evil.  Along with this hubris, the Sojourners pointed their fingers at evangelical Christians and accused them of being the accommodating accomplices of a dominant culture led by shallow right wing leaders like Reagan and Bush.

Why do I recount this intellectual shift in my perspectives?  Because as we all engage today in that great American privilege of voting, we do so amidst a cacophony of voices that are accusatory and condemning of those who disagree.  Sure, this is not the case with every person involved in the American political process, but clearly there is little humility or grace exhibited in the political conversation in our nation this day.  With great discredit to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many in the Christian community are vociferously making their ideology supreme over their theology.  Those on the ideological "Right" accuse those on the "Left" of everything from being uncaring to conspiring maliciously to destroy the United States.  And there are the incredible attacks those on the "Left" make on the "Right."  From vicious ad hominem ridicule (as in the case of Sarah Palin) to attacking conservatives as the "enemy," as our own President Obama did when speaking to a Latino group recently.

Now, I'm not trying to be cute here.  I am politically conservative, and I believe in the superiority of capitalism over socialism, and of a free society over a managed society.  However, I am also quite aware that I have brothers and sisters in Christ who sympathize and support "left-of-center " political causes and candidates.  As I read the Bible, being the simple Kansas farm boy that I am, it seems pretty clear that my relationship as a fellow disciple of Jesus Christ is far above and far more permanent than anything in the political realm.   God wants my theology always to trump my ideology!  The Apostle Paul drives this truth home in his letter to the Romans (who, appropriate to this discussion, were very much like us Americans in so many ways).

•  If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ...You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:  “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.  (Romans 14:8, 10-13, 17-18)

Plus, again as I read the Bible, I am to support and pray for my political leaders regardless of their ideology, politics, and even their personal beliefs.  In fact, not only am I to pray for my leaders in my society, but I am to view them with the eyes of God:  as humans for whom Christ died and who God loves regardless of their faults and shortcomings.  So, I am not to view my leaders, my fellow citizens, and my fellow Christians through political lenses, but through the lens of the Cross, which makes us all fellow sinners in need of a non-partisan Saviour!

Over and over again, the Scriptures warn us all to not regard one another according to governance or politics.  "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save," says the Psalmist in 146:3.  Yet we are to pray, seek, and desire the best for our governing leaders.  "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities," the Apostle Paul declares in Romans 13:1.  Of course, God opposes any leader (such as is the case in North Korea and Myanmar) who would usurp the place of God in the affairs of human life, as evidenced in God's actions against prideful rulers from Genesis to Revelation.  This is stated so well in the Barmen Declaration (written during the time of Nazi Germany): "We reject the false doctrine, as though the State, over and beyond its special commission, should and could become the single and totalitarian order of human life, thus fulfilling the Church's vocation as well."

Still, there is apparently a rightful place for government in God's view, and this view does not seem to prefer one kind of government over another.  God relates to people who live under a loose confederation, as in the book of Judges; who live under limited monarchy, as under the kings of Israel and Judah; who live under despotic tyrants, as in the book of Daniel; and who live in law-based empires, as the early Christians did in the Roman Empire.  The only mention of a preference by God is when the Israelites decided to choose a king for themselves, and God preferred that they not have any king but God.  Yet, God permitted and even sanctioned the growing monarchial institutions of Israel.

It seems God works with whatever political systems are in play in any society of people.  All economic and governmental systems tend toward corruption, since human sinfulness is inherent in all systems no matter how well planned or how well intended.  This does not mean that God is (or that we should be) totally neutral about politics and governing institutions.  Clearly, occultic racist Nazism and soulless Marxism are to be deplored and fought against, while democratic and egalitarian practices in governing are to be rightly preferred.  The more a political system works against the significance and dignity of humans as made in the image of God, the more it is to be opposed.  The more a system affirms these basic realities of humans, the more we should embrace it.  This is a biblical view that Christians of all cultures, politics, and countries can affirm together.

Yet, sinfulness in our hearts is always at work to undermine the most noble of political arrangements, even our own cherished American experiment.   Lassiez faire capitalism in theory provides the greatest promise of creating and sharing wealth in fair and just manners.  Yet, left unchecked, lasseiz faire capitalism gives rise to the domination of heartless monopolies that corral wealth for a few and deny opportunity for the many.   Socialism sounds like it would be the ideal way to prevent the pitfalls of free market capitalism, but this apparent solution is plagued with a tendency to become a "Big Brother" government that denies the dignity of the individual and the value of human ingenuity.

So what I am trying to say is that Christians more than any other people need to approach one another in humility and love regardless of differing political opinions and preferences for governing structures.  Capitalism and democracy are not the kingdom of God, just as socialism and monarchies are not.  Two of my wife's and my best friends are citizens of a country that esteems socialism as the best of all political systems.  One of these friends is absolutely horrified by most Americans (which includes me) disdain for socialism.  She is mystified by our emphasis on individualism and free market economics, believing it to be fraught with dangers.  Yet, she and her husband and my wife and I are able to regard each other in love and grace because our allegiance is not ultimately to a country or a political philosophy.  Both shall perish with our deaths, but the "righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit" are eternal realities we share here and now!  

I will vote today for those candidates that I believe will help the most in keeping the United States a nation of free men and women who can enjoy economic opportunity with the least government interference.  Yet, the Christian writer who impresses me as one of the most insightful followers of Jesus Christ I know of is Jacque Ellul, who while espousing an "anarchist approach," was a very passionate and active French socialist.   Clearly, there are things in my life that are far more important than who I vote for and what kind of government I want.   Quite literally, thank God for that.  What a bleak existence it would be if my highest aspirations and most meaningful actions were merely political.

As we exercise our rights today and vote for what we believe are the best candidates for our society and government, I pray that those of us who count ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ will remember who we really are, Who really makes our lives worthwhile, and what kingdom we are really committed to.  In so doing, we will be able to see our political adversaries first and foremost as persons who we love and pray for because of Christ and his sacrifice for us all.  Hopefully, we can pray with love for those we vote against, and pray with humility for those we vote with.   Let the world see something that transcends the fury and ferociousness of human-centered politics.  Let the world see a God-centered people, and in wonder see again the work of God described in Acts 4:32, "All the believers were one in heart and mind."

A Fierce Goodness

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
(Psalm 51:17)

I had a rather unexpected experience recently where God impressed upon me how --- shall we say --- "fierce" his goodness is in the midst of overwhelming difficulties.  The occasion was a gathering of pastors and Christian leaders in the city I live in, and it seemed like it was going to be a better-than-average-but-not-necessarily-outstanding meeting.  At least, it felt this way to me until the presiding speaker asked us all to form a circle of chairs and give thanks to God in prayer.  This was all find and good, except he started the prayer time with a prayer about a friend of his who had just lost his 4 year old daughter in a car accident, yet was still declaring the goodness of God in his life.  This triggered in me the deep pain I carry yet manage regarding the paralysis of my 12 year old son, Seth, from a "surgical accident" about a year and a half ago.  I thought about how good God is, but at the same time how hard God is --- hard to understand, hard to follow at times, hard to deal with, hard to accept his ways.  Yet, God's goodness has been incredible in these last few years, as the more broken I've become, the more I've been able to receive and appreciate God's goodness to my family and me.

Sitting in this circle of pastors and leaders, I thought about how many of them had been the instruments of God's goodness in my life, how incredibly supportive and encouraging they had been in the many trials I've faced.  So, I started to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for their presence in my life and for how God has used them to help me.  It was going to be a wonderfully articulate prayer, but three or four words into the prayer, both grief and gratefulness washed over me like a flood.  I could barely speak, and through only great effort I blurted out some tearful exclamation of thanks to God for each of these people who have walked some very dark valleys with me.  I was severely humbled --- and somewhat embarrassed --- but very, very humbled.

This got me to thinking how God has worked in the events of the past few years.  God has brought me to a place where I am willing to acknowledge how weak I am, yet at the same time able to be more confident in God's goodness than ever before.  Like Paul in Colossians, I can say from deep within my soul those paradoxical words, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:10) 

In the past four years, I resigned from a very difficult head of staff position after trying to lead a church from a conventional member-centered minstry to a missional God-centered ministry.  Then, after having been well esteemed and respected in my denomination and having had a reputation as an excellent minister and consultant who could "turn churches around," I entered a time of being ignored by my denominational peers as irrelevant and ineffective.  I found myself unable to secure gainful employment, leading my family and I in mid-2008 to enter the foreboding world of being behind on our mortgage, garnished with all the humiliations of threatened foreclosure courtesy of our mortgage holder. 

Along with this, the Great Flood of 2008 hit Cedar Rapids, and I saw people's lives and livelihoods literally washed away.  Then my wife and I found work as menial laborers at a local cereal factory, doing the grunt work that the much higher paid employees didn't have to do.   After getting decent but low paying jobs which enabled us to get back on our financial feet, our ten year old son was paralyzed in the aforementioned "surgical accident."  With that devastation, my wife and I entered into a time of great stress on our relationship, and we very much felt the weight of financial, emotional, and spiritual oppression in our lives.

Yet, and this a really giant "yet," in this same time period we have seen the goodness of God in ways far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.  Friends have step forward to encourage us, not only with words, but with deeds of help and kindness.  Pastors have worked together not only to pray for my family and me, but have been present with us in the darkest hours of our trials.  We've seen God work financial miracles to keep us from losing our home and enabling us to provide well for our children.  And God has shown his goodness as both Christians and non-Christian friends have walked with us through our difficulties, and have expressed not just their care, but their love for us. 

While severely humbling, as we have had to open our hearts to receiving people's love rather than just giving it to others, it has revealed to us a view of God that only the hurting and the despairing can see --- a vision of God who makes the words "saviour" and "deliverer" so much more than mere titles we glibly attribute to a God who is so beautifully powerful, yet so fierce in His goodness.  The Psalmist well describes this view and experience in the opening words of Psalm 27.
                           The LORD is my light and my salvation—
                                 whom shall I fear?
                           The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
                                 of whom shall I be afraid?

This is why I choked up when trying to pray a simple prayer of thanksgiving at the meeting mentioned above.  I was surrounded by persons who had helped me out financially, had given me a job when I had to have one or lose my home, had laid hands on and prayed for the healing of my son, had spent hours crying with my wife and me, had given me the Word of God that I needed most at just the right times, had helped raise funds so my paralyzed son could participate in a program to help him walk again, who had helped lead my older son to commit his life to Christ, had helped my wife and I overcome the stress of dealing with tragedy, who had turned our mourning into dancing so many times.  In the face of so many good gifts from the Father of all good gifts, I can only barely speak in awe of the kindness of God and the sheer joy of being part of the loving family of God. 

Ironically, these humbling experiences of the last four years which have made me into a person and minister who is better able to serve a congregation are the very same factors that make me less attractive to a congregation.  In my denomination, pastor search committees look for the pastor who can boast of his or her accomplishments and successes in recent years, who can show the tangible results of a "growing" ministry, who can promise institutional advancement with self-confidence, and who can articulate their command of the latest church growth and management techniques.  It is hard for a typical search committee to find someone attractive who has spent the last four years being humbled by God's goodness, who has suffered tragedy, and who has had to lower themselves to do work that is consider menial in order to survive financially.  After all, not many congregations are going to be impressed with a new pastor being presented to them whose last "ministry" included cleaning toilets and mopping floors, yet is a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, is focused on prayer and who is promising to lead not from strength, but from brokenness!

Still, as difficult and challenging the last four years have been, they have been the years in which I have began to follow Christ in Spirit and Truth.  My ministries before, which appear "successful" and are the kind that search committees find attractive, were really just superficial efforts geared to assuaging my desire for esteem and credibility.  Yes, God worked through me still, but not until my "heart" was made "contrite" and my "spirit broken" could I ever hope to do ministry that God "will not despise." 

I remember one of my seminary professors, Will Willimon, telling me about an experience Thomas Aquinas had shortly before his death, in which he had some kind of vision of God's goodness.  After this happened, he said, "Everything I have done before is just straw."  I think I understand what he was talking about now, as that is how I feel about my "successful" ministries before.  After having descended into the valleys of darkness, I now know in my experience the truth of not fearing harm because I know now (like I've never known before) the comfort of God walking with me --- a God who is fierce in protecting me and at the same time good in nurturing me. (Psalm 23:4)

So, after 29 years of being a minister of the Word and Sacrament, and well into my fifties, I am finally ready to live life and do ministry God's way.  As Paul the Apostle says, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (II Corinthians 12:9b)

I'm Confused (Not Really)!

I'm confused, (but not really)!  In the last few days I have read comments by former Presbyterian Church USA moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow about how Presbyterian "progressives" need to be sensitive to those of us who disagree about homosexuality.  He said in an interview with fellow progressive, Janet Edwards, that "We are all searching for God as our lives unfold. In the midst of our differences, we share a conviction that our relationship is built on God and our faith in Christ. I acknowledge that God is playing a role in the other person’s life.”  I would love for this to be true, that progressives would acknowledge the presence and activity of God in the lives of those with whom they disagree.

This idea of respect for one another despite differing views on how God views the practice of homosexuality is also being expressed by another prominent progressive, Professor Mark Achtemeier.  He is scheduled to do a debate on the issue, and supposedly Professor Achtemeier will be civil and respectful to those who hold to a biblical understanding (which is clearly not supportive of the acceptance of homosexual practice as God's intention for any person).

This is where I become confused (but not really).  Has Bruce Reyes-Chow softened his hardline rejection of conservative and evangelical views, which he slammed a short while ago when he decried "those Biblical literalists who have poisoned our understanding of marriage, sexuality and love." (Of course. the term "literalists" is a perjorative way to describe anyone who believes the Scriptures are the Word of God written, since there really are no true literalists, especially in the Presbyterian Church USA). And there is the gauntlet angrily thrown down by Professor Achtemeier shortly after his eyes were "illuminated" by the liberal light of "inclusion" when he states this about those with whom he disagrees: "...I can no longer close my eyes to the spiritual and psychological damage that flow from this well-intended but tragically misguided teaching."

While I do not doubt the sincerity and veracity of Mr. Reyes-Chow and Prof. Achtemeier, I also do not believe that there is a growing sense among Presbyterian progressives that the evangelical beliefs regarding homosexuality are seriously to be respected and engaged.  I am still convinced that they look down on those who disagree with them, and that they still believe their understanding is superior, justified, and most enlightened intellectually.  I no longer hope or trust that there is any intention on their part to give any credence to any notion that there is anything in the slightest wrong, immoral, or unbiblical about homosexual expression. 

So much for seeking common ground, or participating in any honest dialogue.

Latest Seth Update

Greetings All,

It has been a little while since we have sent you any news on how Seth is doing. First of all, his spirits are still very good, as he tackles every day with hope and optimism. Secondly, the rest of the family is doing fairly well, as each of us seems to be dealing better with what has happened to Seth. We appreciate your thoughts, support, and prayers more than you will ever know.

Seth turned 12 on September 4th, and we had a nice family birthday celebration for him. He is continuing his activities in scouts, and is doing well in school (especially in math).

As far as progress in his physical condition, we are learning that it is a long, long journey marked by small, but significant, victories. Because of God and the exercises, Seth continues to have good muscle tone in his legs. His flexing of his hip and thigh muscles continues to be strong, but he still hasn't been able to move anything on his own, EXCEPT that as of last week he can now move his left leg outward totally unassisted when he is setting on the floor. Though he cannot move it back, it is the first obvious movement we have seen since we began the Project Walk exercise program last November. We are so thankful to see some progress (as I, Will, was becoming a little discouraged). It's not much, but it is also a lot, as this shows that Seth really can recover movement.

Keep praying for Seth and us. We still struggle with keeping a consistent exercise schedule, as doing this at home is a constant battle with school and work schedules. Our funds from the 2CMiracle Account (otherwise known as "The Seth Jackson Fund') are depleted, so if any of you are so able and inclined, contributions would be greatly appreciated (address below). We still have major equipment needs for the exercise program Seth is on. The right equipment will enable us to add important exercises to his workouts, and thus advance his recovery even faster.

Again, thank you all for your support and prayers. And many thanks to God, who "crowns you with love and compassion." (Psalm 103:4)

Blessings,

Will and Jackie Jackson


For giving to "The Seth Jackson Fund," send to:
River of Life Ministries
3801 Blairs Ferry Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(Phone:319-393-3709)


KEEP THE CELEBRATION GOING!

Don't Fret!

In the past couple of weeks I have been reminded what things really count in life, and how things that seem important are really way down on the "gotta have" list.  For years now I (and others) have been praying for my son, Chris, to develop a real desire and passion to know and follow Christ.  He has always believed Christ and the spiritual dimension of life are important, but he has had difficulty seeing how all this made any real difference in his life, the church, and the world.  He saw the church as mostly people putting on a religious front, and that for most people it didn't seem to matter or make much difference that Christ "...for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven..." (as the Nicene Creed states).

 Well, that all changed about three weeks ago when he encountered a very traumatic situation in one of his closest relationships.  The pain of this event caused him to realise his need for God's help, his powerlessness in the face of tragedy, and that without Christ he cannot truly offer his suffering friends any real help or hope.  He suddenly could see how much God loved him, how empty life is when lived for self alone, and how full life can be when lived as a follower of Jesus.  It is only a short time, I know, but the change in my son is thorough-going and dramatic.  Though the pain of his trauma continues, he has discovered the joy of the Lord as one who is thankful to God for all that is good in his life.  His gratefulness for God and God's goodness keeps him going and growing each day, and he is even sharing this hope with his friends.

 So, for me, while I ache for the pain he is going through, I am extremely glad to have Chris seeking after God in his life.  My heart is full of joy when he says to me, "Let's pray together about this, Dad."  I can very much identify with the verse in the Book of Proverbs that says,
           My son, if your heart is wise,
              then my heart will be glad;
           my inmost being will rejoice
              when your lips speak what is right.

 This gladness in what is happening with Chris was challenged to the limit when I received a message two days ago that, if it had been true, would have meant the end of my service as minister in the PCUSA, and, due to the character damaging nature of the news, could easily have meant the end of my service as a minister anywhere.  It is not appropriate to divulge the content of this message, but as it stood it would have been dealing with heartbreaking betrayal of trusted colleagues, and would have opened up some very demoralizing old wounds from a past disappointment in ministry.  Plus, the blow to my ability to provide for my family at a time when the needs are critical (daughter's college bills, son's paralysis, etc) would have lined us up for great disaster and loss.

 However, despite the dark prospects of what I had been told, I wasn't worried.  I wasn't afraid.  Oh, yes I was shaken, and, yes I was dreading the future implications of the bad news.  Yet it faded in importance compared to the joy of having a son who is seeking the heart of God, who is passionate about Jesus and desires to follow Him faithfully.  A crisis in career and livelihood can never rate above a son whose "heart is wise."

 As I was seeking to verify the accuracy of the gloomy message I had received, God brought to my mind several of the encouraging words of Psalm 37.  The Psalmist describes how easy it is to get upset about the evil that people do, to focus on wrong and to become angry in reaction to what appears to be people's hateful intentions.  Over and over, this scripture says, "Don't fret!"  Don't over react, don't even worry about what people can do to you.  Rather, the Spirit through this scripture urges me to "Trust in the Lord and do good."  I am told to "delight yourself in the Lord," "be still," "wait patiently," and "to commit your way to the Lord."  With these actions God promises to give us "the desires of your heart."  God will "make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."  All we are asked to do is "don't fret."

 As things turned out, I found out that the very foreboding word I had received was indeed an error.  A mix up in information coupled with an even more twisted misunderstanding of conversations between Presbyterian officials gave birth to a most malicious falsehood about me and about my work as a minister.  If a sincere and thoughtful person in a presbytery far, far away hadn't been willing to call me and let me know what was being said about me in error, who knows how much damage could have been done.  Through his action, the mistake was caught, and the committees and officials involved able to rectify the situation.
 
 The interesting thing for me was that I did trust in the Lord and did commit my way to God in the face of what sounded and seemed like a very ominous threat to my personal and professional welfare.  I was able to do this because my heart is not made glad by my reputation or career accomplishments, but by a son whose "lips speak what is right."  That is what is really important!  That is what is truly worthwhile!  Indeed, as the 39th verse of Psalm 37 clearly declares:
          The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
          He is their stronghold in time of trouble. 

Even More About Brett

In a long ago blog post (More About Brett, July 12, 2007), I wrote about one of the giants amongst today's Presbyterian missionaries, Brett McMichael.  Brett would be the last to use such language to describe himself, but as far as having Christ's heart to serve and a keen capacity for effectiveness in how he serves, few will ever surpass this amazing man.

In the past couple of years, Brett was forced to leave his work with children and hospitals in Croatia.  Years of kidney disease and other ailments were finally becoming too much to overcome, and he returned to the United States.  He was blessed to have finally received a new kidney last year, which has released him from the confines of the dialysis machine and given him new physical resources he hasn't had in years.  So, what does Brett do with his new found energy and freedom?  He heads straight back to Croatia to work with and participate in one of his favorite projects he developed during his years as a missionary there: camps for children dealing with various diseases.  The most recent was a camp for children dealing with cancer, and the post below is just a miniscule glimpse of the joy this man has brought to children and their families over years and years of unsung and unselfish labor in Romania, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other such places.

I met Brett amost 10 years ago while I was serving in Croatia, and my wife and I were privileged to have been there to see the birth of these remarkable camps.  His vision and drive for not only these camps, but much of his incredible ministry in transforming how hospitals in Croatia and Bosnia treat children and their families, comes from his own woundedness in how he was mistreated and maligned by medical institutions while growing up in the eastern USA.  His life was gleaned through the intervention of compassionate adults who could see past the slapped-on diagnoses that could have easily destined Brett to a life of dismissive institutionalization. Instead their providential intervention gave him a full and meaningful life.  What could have been a life relegated to loss and bitterness is now one resounding with love and bring hope to many throughout the world.  Through his blessing many more are blessed.

Yes, sometimes giants can walk among us, and yet we don't see them.  Brett is one such giant.  He is a servant to others, so he does not seek the glory for himself, nor does he point to himself.  Nevertheless, when you notice him, and get to know more about him, it becomes clear that here is one of the most extraordiary people alive in the world today, and here is a life whose story is most worth the telling.  So, let me point out to you Brett McMichael, a giant among us.  

Fuzine Camp at ROM

No Greater Joy

In August of 2006, I hugged my daughter, Jennifer, and drove away from the Biola University campus, leaving her to be "on her own" for the first time.  The tears flowed from LA to Las Vegas, as I tried to deal with all the emotions a father has when realizing he is "losing" his little girl to adulthood.  I wondered how she would do in college, how she would handle finances, how she would deal with boyfriends, and how she would do in her relationship with Christ. 

Well, four years and ten months later, I watched her (via computer as I couldn't get time away from my present job) walk across the dais and receive her Bachelor of Arts.  She is now a confident young woman who has grown in wisdom and beauty.  As the diploma was placed in her hands, her many friends, mother, oldest brother, and God-parents cheered with enthusiasm.  

Again, I found myself wiping away the tears.  Thankfully I didn't have to drive anywhere, but this time I wasn't crying because I had "lost" my little girl, but because now my daughter is a devoted servant of the Living God who has a heart for those who are hurt and lost in this world.  This is a great gain for God - and all the rest of us! 

Now I know firsthand the deep sense of satisfaction expressed in the words the Apostle John wrote in his letter to Gaius (III John 1:4), "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  Way to go, Jennifer!

Global Mission And Personal Evangelism: Inseparable Yet Distinct

I was just thinking....

Any congregation that is truly faithful to Christ and biblical in nature will be heavily involved both relationally and financially with global missions. This involvement will flow out of the passion of each member’s heart for their neighbors, family, and friends who have yet to give their lives to Jesus. These two emphases are just different sides of the same coin, as they say. They are irreducibly connected, as indicated in Jesus’ wording in John 3:16.

For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
so that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.

In this one well known sentence, God’s mission to the world (τον κοσμον), which was motivated by God’s unconditional love, is realized in each individual’s trust (ο πιστευων) in Jesus as God’s only Son. The Greek word used here, ho pisteuon, is an active participle in the present tense and singular number. This magnifies the emphasis on God’s incredible act of redemption for the world being fulfilled when individuals actively and continually give their trust to Jesus. Therefore, global mission, from God’s perspective, can only be realized in personal evangelism, and personal evangelism is the primary tool of global mission.

This organic intertwining of these two great ends of the church of Jesus Christ is again reiterated by Jesus in His Great Commission, which is quoted in Matthew 28:18-20.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

In one audacious phrase, Jesus ties our mission to go out into the world with the task of making disciples, which is done one individual at a time. He even gives us a discipling protocol, which consists of baptizing and teaching to obey, again actions reflecting the response of individuals (the “believing ones” cited in John 3:16). However, the actions of baptizing in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching people to obey Jesus’ commands place each individual disciple into the communal context of living in God’s kingdom, where Christ’s authority reigns through His people in this world, and His presence is experienced by individual believers in a shared (dare I say “accountable”) life together.

 It is clear by now, given these little exe-snippets of Scripture, that any church that is not geared to both global mission and personal evangelism is a seriously deficient church, and as such cannot claim to be fulfilling God’s will or advancing God’s purposes. These emphases are central to what God is about in this world, and therefore must be reflected in the identity and actions of any truly biblical congregation. In adoration of and obedience to Jesus Christ who has obliterated our sins and made us truly alive, we are impelled to bring this “Good News” of Jesus to our neighbors both nearby and far away.

Anyway, I was just thinking....

Quick-eyed Love

This is a homily I shared at a Maundy Thursday celebration at River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Come Rest Ministries (a validated mission of River of Life that emphasizes the love of God in Christ, healing, spiritual direction, and social outreach) provided the leadership for this service, and I was honored to be invited by Come Rest director, Richard Speight, to speak on the Great Command of Jesus: that we love one another as Jesus has loved us.

I am posting this primarily for those pastor search committees who desire to see a video of me "preaching." While this gives some idea of my preaching style, it is important to remember that the setting is more meditative and subdued than perhaps most Sunday services. Regardless, whoever feels impelled for whatever reason to watch me preach may do so here. Blessings!

(And yes, I am aware that I am quite "chubby!")

Part 1 ( Preliminary remarks and first half of "Quick-eyed Love.")


Part 2 (Second half and conclusion of "Quick-eyed Love.")


Part 3 (Repeat of conclusion, communion prayer, and the Bread and Cup)

Seth Update: A Persevering Pattern

I realize that it has been awhile since the last Seth update, so here is the latest.

There has not been any significant improvement to speak of since the last update. Seth continues to be able to flex his hip and thigh muscles, though he still is unable to feel this flexing. We are in what I would call a "persevering pattern:" where we just keep doing the home exercises designed by Project Walk and keep praying for healing. When he is finally able to do some kind of movement on his own power, we will then return to Project Walk for further evaluation and adjustment of the exercise program.
Of course, Seth's attitude is great. He stills sees all this a great adventure. There are times he gets very frustrated, but though these are intense, they are few.

We are about to acquire a Total Gym exercise system (something like what you see on TV, but a much more expensive model made for rehabilitation), which will greatly expand and improve our ability to work on leg movements. A local church is adding another $1000 to the Seth Fund at River of Life Ministries, so that will help a lot in covering the purchase.

Keep on praying for healing, and keep on praying for significant improvement while doing the exercises. We have given some thought about moving closer to a Project Walk Recovery Center, but there are a whole host of difficulties in doing this, as you might expect. Just keep praying that we will make the best decisions and have the resources needed for giving Seth the best opportunity to recover.

Blessings!

Will and Jacquelyn Jackson

Why Don't They Like Me?

Author and speaker Brian McLaren asks in an article on the Huffington Post, "Why do evangelicals dislike me so much?"

In this article he goes on to compare evangelicals to mind-numbed zombies who are like the people in the old Milgram experiment which indicated that people will submerge their fragile consciences to blind and extreme obedience to authoritarian leaders who order them to do ludicrous, and even evil, acts of harm toward others. He goes on to liken the evangelical mentality to the horrifically cruel Inquisitors of the 16th and 17th centuries. He even intimates that since evangelicals are willing to cruelly punish fellow Christians for any disagreement, then Muslims, gays, and certain poor animals are potential targets for much more lethal actions.

Golly gee! Such a mystery?
What's not to like?

May God spare me or any evangelical from ever being on the receiving end of an electrical shock being administered by Mr. McLaren. He is already pressing the button as hard and as much as he can!

Why The World Does Not Believe

"Anyone who wants a perfect church clearly wants no church at all!" These words by the great reformer Martin Luther spoken five centuries ago have always been true. Christians are creatures of their times, cultures, politics, and physical processes. So, as such, we will always carry with us the sinfulness of the world we live in. "Simul justus et peccator!" (We are simultaneously saints and sinners!) Yet, it is important to also emphasize that while we carry in our flesh the imperfect realities of living in an imperfect world, we also carry around "in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." (II Corinthians 4:10 NIV)

This is what St. Paul refers to as the "treasure" in "jars of clay" that makes it clear that despite our earthy realities, God is doing a work through us that shows everyone that God's power is real, and that through the Holy Spirit we can be so much more than the sum collection of our foibles, and that our sinful natures do not have to hold sway over our words and our living. Indeed, our lives can be a positive influence in this world, leading to transformation not only of ourselves but of those around us. This is "...because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (II Corinthians 4:14-15 NIV)

While most Christians understand the paradox of being sinful people who are filled and used by the Spirit of a perfect God, it seems to be a recurring temptation for some Christians to use this as a pretext for denouncing other Christians with whom they disagree over such mundane matters as politics, economics, or even non-essentials in theology. I am becoming more and more concerned with a very concerted effort by so-called "progressive Christians" to discredit and "dis-grace" evangelical Christians. It isn't necessary to name names, but it seems there are dozens of well known speakers and writers who highlight the fact that evangelicals are tainted with Republican views (terminology that says a great deal about "progressives" political blinders), homophobic impulses, narrow-minded opinions, simple minded understandings of the Bible as a reliable source for discerning the mind and will of the Almighty, and who, according to Carol Howard Merritt, "demonized" health care and "glorified" wars.

People like Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Mike Huckabee, and other involved Christians on the political Right are criticized mercilessly by "progressive Christians," while anyone who is involved in support of the Left's favored issues are hailed as those who have finally removed the scales from their eyes and are truly in tune with God's kingdom. For some reason, political involvement on the Right is a bastardization of true Christianity and can inflame the radical passions of the populace, whereas political involvement on the Left is a faithful expression of enlightened discipleship that is free of the fetters of simple-minded reading of the Bible and narrow-minded allegiance to the demagogues who are leaders in the shallowness of America's mega-churches.

Now, I am not defending all the statements and actions of Pat Robertson, James Dobson, or any Christian leader, or for that matter, of any human leader. Rev. Robertson has had to eat his words on several occasions, as have most of us. I am objecting to what amounts to a campaign by "progressive Christians" to demonize evangelicals. First of all, it is bearing false witness against one's neighbor, so just from a Ten Commandments angle it is an offence against God. But the far greater harm is that it perpetuates the primary reason why the world around us does not accept the witness of Christians regarding the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus really gave Christians only one real command, and it is that we love one another.

• "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." (John 13:34-35 NIV)

It is the disunity among Christians that has been a scandal to the name of Jesus the Christ for most of the last 2000 years. We are given freedom to serve God, one another, and the world around us, but when we seek to stake out our positions of correctness and dominance over those of other Christians, we discredit the claim that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. As St. Paul admonishes us, "...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Yes, we all bear the imperfections of being sinful humans in a fallen world. Evangelicals in all their stripes are not the completion of God's work and will for this world, but neither are the so-called progressive Christians. It is certainly true that evangelicals may smell of intolerance at times, but progressives bear the stench of millions upon millions of children murdered in the womb. Evangelicals have erred in being too arrogant and heavy-handed in applying the Word of God to agonizing human issues and in so doing have driven people from God's kingdom, but progressives have erred by denying the clear Word of God in order to proclaim their own words of understanding for human issues, and in so doing have denied people the transforming grace of God.

As creatures of this world, we can always find platforms from which to look down on other disciples of Christ. All this does is give the unbelievers a legitimate reason for being not believing, and discredit is brought to the claims of Christ. Our call as disciples of Jesus is higher than this, and within our bodies of clay is the treasure of Jesus Christ, who lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We do not have to be so subject to our own imperfections that we cannot extol "in our bodies," or that is, in the reality of our lives now, the perfection of Jesus.

Christians are the only ones who have a real choice regarding how to live. Unbelievers are entirely subject to this world, whereas we have been given new life (and therefore new possibilities) in Christ. We do not have to divide ourselves according to the temporary and fleeting provinces of this world. Rather, we can be the one body of Christ, united in the one Holy Spirit as we serve one another in obedience to Jesus. It is by this that all people will believe we are disciples of Jesus, that the Gospel is true, that the kingdom of God is in our midst, and that someday "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11 NIV)

Christians And Obama-Care

While I have been personally opposed to the federal health care laws which were enacted by congress last weekend, I have been able to carry on civil discussions with my friends who support this legislation. Though the disagreements are sharp, and the perspective widely divergent, I never sensed anyone with whom I was talking to be mean-spirited or personally upset with me, and I believe I've respected those who disagree with me.

At least, that was the case until this Monday, the day after the bill passed the House of Representatives. I was shocked and dismayed to have someone I counted as a friend and brother in the Lord write to me that my views discounted me from being a faithful Christian. He proclaimed with a viciousness that I had never seen him exhibit before that he could not understand how anyone could oppose "Obama-care." "How anyone calling themselves a Christian could (oppose this bill) is beyond me" is just one statement among many making it clear that one's status before God was directly indicated by embracing and espousing support for the provisions of this so-called "medical reform." Then, I began to notice others who have supported this legislation expressing similar attitudes: questioning the intelligence of their opponents, indicating that those opposed are uncaring, and that opposition arguments have been intentional lies. This was all topped off with the profane declaration of victory by Vice-President Biden at the bill signing ceremony. His words were a vulgar act of disdain for both respectful opposition and civil propriety.

So, what gives? Why is my friend now willing to be so arrogant and dismissive to those who have disagreed with him on this issue, even to the point of claiming his views are the only ones a "true" Christian would have? Why are the media and high profile promoters of this medical reform bill being openly accusatory toward those who challenged many of the points (at least those anyone could know about ahead of time) in this bill, as if the problems were simply the audacity to oppose this bill rather than questioning its purpose and effectiveness? Why are those who have achieved what they wanted not filled with joy for their cause rather than focusing virulently upon those who do not share their cause for celebration?

I could speculate on some of the reasons, but what concerns me the most is the spirit of accusation that is festering among Christians. This is natural for those who are oriented to the harsh competitiveness of the world, who see ideology being more important than living, breathing people. But for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, our eternal status as children of God should take clear and deliberate precedence over something as temporary and fleeting as the approach to health care in the USA. I am not saying we are not to care about our beliefs and positions on this subject, or that robust discussion is not appropriate. However, I am saying that Christians more than anyone else should honor and respect one another even in the face of strong political differences. This is indeed part of our witness to the world that we serve one Lord together, and that our relationships are based on eternal realities, not the passing issue of the day.

It is perhaps not coincidental that I have been asked to say a few words during worship this coming Maundy Thursday, and that this means reflecting on the command of Jesus that his followers "love one another." Jesus says:
"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." (John 13:34-35)
It is apparent from this passage, where Jesus has just washed the disciples feet and taken the form of a servant to them, that it is in Christians serving each other that our love for each other is demonstrated as real, and that this is the way the world around us sees this as a truth-in-action rather than just a pious ideal. Obviously, we Christians have missed opportunity after opportunity to show that our love for one another is something more than just nice feelings. We have let everything from slight theological differences to mundane political orientations divide us and lead us to demand surrender rather than us giving ourselves in service to one another.

So, are we going to blow it again? Are we in the church going to bicker and blame like our politically driven representatives in Washington, D.C., or are we going to show the world that we serve a living Lord who calls us to unity in the Holy Spirit despite our differences in politics, culture, race, economics, abilities, and whatever human differences that so easily divide people from each other. The key is to seek to serve one another, regardless! So, I resolve to find a way to serve my brothers and sisters who support the provisions of the Obama-care bill, especially if they are feeling angry and put out at those who do not see things as they do. My sinful nature wants to defend myself and strike back, but the Spirit of God in me can give me the strength to serve in love, thus showing the world that there is indeed one Body of Christ, one faith, one Lord, all bound together in the unity of the Spirit.

Latest On Seth

I was recently reminded that it has been a little while since I let you all know how Seth is doing. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great Christmas in the meantime.

Seth continues to have a great attitude, though it is evident that his frustration level with not walking is rising. While this makes for some difficult behavior at times, we view it as a good thing. As he becomes more frustrated with his present limitations, we are hoping this will make him more motivated to do the work necessary to improve. The trainers at Project Walk have told us that motivation is the main issue for children as they do their workouts for walking again. Physically they are set to heal quickly, but mentally they are not as ready since they tend to accept their condition easier.

Seth came back from Project Walk on November 14 with feeling about an inch further down into his pelvic area. He has regained being able to shift his hips, though he can't feel them yet. He continues to have great circulation, and his bowel and bladder functions are better than before. We've learned to minimize the use of his wheelchair, so he scoots on the floor a lot and we set him on regular chairs for eating and homework. The Project Walk people have found that much of the posture and balance problems experienced by paralyzed people are due to extended time in the wheelchair.

Our main challenge right now is setting up a regular exercise routine for Seth in our home. It has been very difficult to work in 9 to 12 hours of exercise with Seth along with everyone else's schedules. With two other small children and Jackie and I both having to work to get by financially, it is not easy. (Pray that a good church will want a "seasoned" guy like me for a pastor!) Obviously, we must do this, but we ask your prayers in helping us carve out the time for this. Plus, the costs of the trip out to Project Walk in San Diego were significantly higher than we anticipated. This, along with the continuing costs of trying to provide what is needed for Seth while he is paralyzed, add a whole other dimension of stress on our family that affects everything else. So, we seek your prayers regarding our financial challenges at this time. (Again, a great big thank you to all who are contributing to Seth's Fund at River of Life Ministries.)

As Walter Cronkite used to say, that's the way it is on this 27th day of December, 2009. I look forward to being able to share more good news of improvement as time goes on, but please remember to keep seeking God for Seth's healing. God is showing us the way, but all healing in any form is from God, and Seth continues to work on what God has asked of him, which is to "ask Me, trust Me, and work with Me."

Thank you all for your support and your friendship. May you all have a blessed and happy New Year!

Blessings!

Will