It is disheartening... watching Christians take the bait again and again – raging against the results of sin instead – instead of focusing their energy on healing the sinner. I understand the temptation. The headlines impact my family professionally as well as personally. However, this week, I am finding myself significantly less upset about bathroom confusion than I am with the idea of gender confusion.
Am I worried about safety? Sure. Am I weary of gender neutrality and moral relativism? Without a doubt. Am I angry that our religious freedoms are being threatened daily? Of course!! But our strategy in these battles are not only exhausting, they have been ineffective.
We will not win this fight in our courtrooms or by boycotting corporations. We may get a voice – but I am not sure the voices are communicating the message God wants us to spread. We will not win hearts and minds through righteous indignation or through fears based on hypothetical atrocities.
However, that is also not to say that we do nothing. We just must employ the weapons God has given us for His purpose, not for ours.
First, God has given us the power of prayer. I will be the first to admit that prayer often feels inadequate. I prefer to have control and usually want immediate answers. God doesn’t work that way. Folks, we may not see His answer in our lifetime! Remember the Hebrews lost an entire generation for their lack of faith. Until we focus on eternity rather than making America our Promise Land, we will likely keep wandering.
Secondly, God has given us the Holy Spirit to help spread His Gospel. Again, it is much easier for me to construct a political argument for today’s issues than to defend my position Biblically. That is because I am often inadequately prepared to stand boldly for Christ. It is hard work to study the Bible regularly and memorize Scripture. But, we must if we are to be effective. Not only will we accurately represent God’s position, we can avoid the mire of personal opinions and character assignations. His Word has saving power that can lead to transformational results in people.
So, back to the issue….
I am not surprised where we are today. We have destroyed the definition of “life” and “marriage.” Why is “gender” suddenly the most offensive topic? Bathrooms? Are we really going to have a spiritual dialogue on that level?
God carved out physical beings to be different for unique purposes. He also created our inner beings with identities, not to align to a gender, but to align with Him. Satan will never run out of tactics to use God’s creation against him; to rebel against his design and purpose. It is a human tragedy that so many have been robbed of their self-worth, lied to, and led astray. We are talking about people going through their lives completely LOST.
Why are people confused? Because Satan is the Author of Confusion! We have failed our children in this country because we have denied them from knowing their Maker and understanding his design. They have not learned that their identity and their worth is found in Christ alone. We have not taught them to resist sin, but have coddled them in their confusion.
Each of us must do what our conscience dictates. But ultimately, we cannot continue to expect non-Christians to be accountable for our values, we need to do battle with Satan ourselves.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Is Christianity Inclusive?
We live in complicated times for the
Christian. Beyond the obvious and ageless
hostility toward any moral authority in this country, it has become very
difficult to articulate the exclusivity of truth with loving
inclusiveness.
Inclusiveness is the buzz of this
generation. Since we have made celebrated achievements in racial and
gender equality, virtually all segments of society have been empowered to
demand moral legitimacy, through the indigent outcry of civil liberties.
Here are a few examples, where old
issues have changed in their discourse: - Demanding valid identification as a means to vote, in
order to prevent fraudulent election practices has moved from a question
of legal standing to a claim of voter “disenfranchisement”
- Denying minorities the “space” to violently riot what
they perceive to be racial injustices, in order to maintain safety and
civil order has moved beyond the merits of the First Amendment to the
emotional outcry of “discrimination"
- Defending the unborn and protecting children from
sexual predators, has moved beyond the spectrum of criminality to debate
the definitions of personhood and gender
Corporations, schools and government institutions have put policies in place reinforcing that everyone and everything is equal. Where no laws were needed in the past to simply treat people with mutual respect, we are now redefining what love means and enacting laws penalizing those who love and obey God's Word. Not only do Christians need new boldness to stand against this cultural battle cry, they must come armed with new tactics. Not new truth – new tactics.
How to do we witness in a culture of inclusiveness?
I would argue first that inclusiveness is elusive, because it, in itself, excludes believe that all things are not equal (and acceptable). The concept of inclusiveness doesn't stop at "separate but equal" but demands more from us: Acceptance. It is a new name to an old philosophy – moral relativity. Unfortunately, the Bible teaches us that there are absolutes.
Christianity is exclusive in many ways:
- God’s laws are absolute.
- God hates all sin.
- We are all sinners.
- We are only to serve one God.
- There is only one way to Heaven.
Unfortunately, we live in a world of
tweets and media soundbites. People are more interested in the headline,
than the story. Personally, I rarely get beyond a “gotcha” question,
unable to provide the reason behind my position. It is frustrating
that so many do not ask in order to understand, but to judge. It is
equally discouraging to be denied explaining the intent and purpose behind
God’s perfect law, knowing that he has created everything for our good.
When I am unable to fully articulate his motives, I am limited in sharing the
depth of his love.
It is tempting to jump into the political fray or debate today's headline based on a selected scripture. But, I have met neither with much success. I find that my humanity gets in the way and my arguments become circumstantial. But when I communicate the foundation of my faith – I find not only peace, but victory.
Here is a sample of spiritual reasoning, where inclusiveness is central and exclusiveness is honored.
It is tempting to jump into the political fray or debate today's headline based on a selected scripture. But, I have met neither with much success. I find that my humanity gets in the way and my arguments become circumstantial. But when I communicate the foundation of my faith – I find not only peace, but victory.
Here is a sample of spiritual reasoning, where inclusiveness is central and exclusiveness is honored.
-
We are all Sinners and we All need Jesus. All sin is equal and All sin can be forgiven.
- Jesus was born for All so that All might know him. He loved Everyone and died for All.
- Eternal life is available to All who confess theirs sin, believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior.
These truths are not only the foundation of our faith, but should be the frames of our conversations. We can debate interpretations and cultural application until we are crying out to the Lord in mercy – but if we cannot demonstrate the inclusiveness of God’s love and motivation, then the real power of scripture cannot be realized. We must first win he soul to Christ before we can apply His law to their lives.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Healthcare Policy Shouldn't Personal
Recently, when listening to the Healthcare debate, I hear two different arguments entirely. The LEFT argues the value of healthcare itself. The RIGHT argues the merits of the healthcare bill. So, what happens is, the Right is demonized for being "against" healthcare, whereas the Left are accused of being socialist. I believe this is intentional.
There are very few people in this nation, I believe, that are against people getting access to healthcare. That is an emotionally charged battle cry designed to divert and distract Americans from using their brains. Americans would much rather feel than think. They want to be told how to think rather that form their own opinion. America has become a spoon fed nation and joiners, instead of leaders.
But emotion has no place in this debate and I will tell you why. We all form opinions with different perspectives and experiences. Although each person can be respected in terms of free thought/speech, every opinion does not demand respect. I've never been one to agree that "feelings aren't wrong." Feelings are fleeting, fallible and often wrong when forming policy. Feelings are about individuals. Policy is about the public. When we use emotions, we end up with a self-serving goal, instead of a democratic goal that serves all the people.
So, moving beyond the emotional hate speech and listening to what one educated concerned American feels,let me expound on the failings of the healthcare bill.
I am all for reforming the cost and administration of healthcare. But, here’s the problem - the bill didn't fix the costs; it only changed who pays for it and how its is paid for. There was no Tort reform to protect doctors, which would allow them to lower their costs for delivering healthcare. There was no efficiencies in administration costs. There is no positive "incentive" for small business to provide insurance (only an additional duty to do so). So, I just don’t think this bill fixed costs.
Additionally, I am in favor covering pre-existing conditions or major chronic health conditions. I don’t think “limits” on such care is even humane, if the consumer is willing to pay premiums for it. If you cannot get proper care or have been denied coverage, it is shameful. That needs fixed.
So, the Healthcare reform is not what is being debated, it is the healthcare bill. People need to understand that. For instance, no matter which way they present it, I am now forced to pay for people's sex change operations and abortions - of which, I fundamentally disagree with. Why do 26 yr. olds need to be on their parent’s plans? How is that saving costs? Let’s create some jobs and put those 26 year old adults to work so they can buy their own healthcare and pay into the system to help those who cannot work.
My point is, we don't need to expand healthcare coverage, we need to provide jobs to people so they can afford and pay for healthcare the same way others do. We need to make healthcare affordable, not simply help people pay. And, we need to focus on what needs fixed, instead of throwing in all these extra covered procedures. Accountability has been trumped in the name of compassion.
This is what I mean by a different having two different arguments. I agree that people who disagree are not bad people, but I disagree in that they are not wrong. I do think they are wrong. I feel strongly that people have settled for the satisfaction of their own self-interests and not looked at the larger, long term perspective. There was a better way - but our elected officials didn't have the political backbone to do the right thing.
There are very few people in this nation, I believe, that are against people getting access to healthcare. That is an emotionally charged battle cry designed to divert and distract Americans from using their brains. Americans would much rather feel than think. They want to be told how to think rather that form their own opinion. America has become a spoon fed nation and joiners, instead of leaders.
But emotion has no place in this debate and I will tell you why. We all form opinions with different perspectives and experiences. Although each person can be respected in terms of free thought/speech, every opinion does not demand respect. I've never been one to agree that "feelings aren't wrong." Feelings are fleeting, fallible and often wrong when forming policy. Feelings are about individuals. Policy is about the public. When we use emotions, we end up with a self-serving goal, instead of a democratic goal that serves all the people.
So, moving beyond the emotional hate speech and listening to what one educated concerned American feels,let me expound on the failings of the healthcare bill.
I am all for reforming the cost and administration of healthcare. But, here’s the problem - the bill didn't fix the costs; it only changed who pays for it and how its is paid for. There was no Tort reform to protect doctors, which would allow them to lower their costs for delivering healthcare. There was no efficiencies in administration costs. There is no positive "incentive" for small business to provide insurance (only an additional duty to do so). So, I just don’t think this bill fixed costs.
Additionally, I am in favor covering pre-existing conditions or major chronic health conditions. I don’t think “limits” on such care is even humane, if the consumer is willing to pay premiums for it. If you cannot get proper care or have been denied coverage, it is shameful. That needs fixed.
So, the Healthcare reform is not what is being debated, it is the healthcare bill. People need to understand that. For instance, no matter which way they present it, I am now forced to pay for people's sex change operations and abortions - of which, I fundamentally disagree with. Why do 26 yr. olds need to be on their parent’s plans? How is that saving costs? Let’s create some jobs and put those 26 year old adults to work so they can buy their own healthcare and pay into the system to help those who cannot work.
My point is, we don't need to expand healthcare coverage, we need to provide jobs to people so they can afford and pay for healthcare the same way others do. We need to make healthcare affordable, not simply help people pay. And, we need to focus on what needs fixed, instead of throwing in all these extra covered procedures. Accountability has been trumped in the name of compassion.
This is what I mean by a different having two different arguments. I agree that people who disagree are not bad people, but I disagree in that they are not wrong. I do think they are wrong. I feel strongly that people have settled for the satisfaction of their own self-interests and not looked at the larger, long term perspective. There was a better way - but our elected officials didn't have the political backbone to do the right thing.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Just the Facts
Rather than debate the traditional pro-life bullet points, I will defer to the numbers. If they do not shock you or at least trouble you, perhaps that makes my biggest point of all. . . .
Number of American battle deaths in all U.S. wars since the birth of our nation (1776): 654,000
Number of American infant deaths by abortion in all the U.S. since 1970: 52,333,826
Ratio of U.S. abortions to battle deaths in all U.S. wars: 80 to 1
Maybe we’re fighting the wrong war. . . .
Number of Americans of all ages and races murdered daily by handguns – 20.5
Number of American unborn babies of all races killed every day by scalpels – 3,411
Ratio of babies killed by abortion to people killed by handguns: 166.4 to 1
Maybe we’re controlling the wrong weapons. . . .
Average cost for an abortion in the United States today: $500
Estimated cost of preventing an abortion through compassionate education: $25
Ratio of cost of an abortion to cost of education: 20:1
Maybe we're paying for the wrong health “care.”
Suicide rate for women following a live birth: 5.9 per 100,000.
Suicide rate for women following an abortion: 34.7 per 100,000.
Increased risk to women who have had abortions: 488%
Maybe women have been deceived. . . .
Notes: Basic Data drawn from the U.S. Statistical Abstract, and World Almanac with projections and analysis by the Movement for a Better America. Abortion data based on published data from Guttmacher Institute. Abortion Index is updated every six months. Latest update: 1-2-2010 For permission to distribute copies of The Abortion Index, write to:
Movement for a Better America
PO Box 472
Mt. Freedom, NJ 07970-0472
Number of American battle deaths in all U.S. wars since the birth of our nation (1776): 654,000
Number of American infant deaths by abortion in all the U.S. since 1970: 52,333,826
Ratio of U.S. abortions to battle deaths in all U.S. wars: 80 to 1
Maybe we’re fighting the wrong war. . . .
Number of Americans of all ages and races murdered daily by handguns – 20.5
Number of American unborn babies of all races killed every day by scalpels – 3,411
Ratio of babies killed by abortion to people killed by handguns: 166.4 to 1
Maybe we’re controlling the wrong weapons. . . .
Average cost for an abortion in the United States today: $500
Estimated cost of preventing an abortion through compassionate education: $25
Ratio of cost of an abortion to cost of education: 20:1
Maybe we're paying for the wrong health “care.”
Suicide rate for women following a live birth: 5.9 per 100,000.
Suicide rate for women following an abortion: 34.7 per 100,000.
Increased risk to women who have had abortions: 488%
Maybe women have been deceived. . . .
Notes: Basic Data drawn from the U.S. Statistical Abstract, and World Almanac with projections and analysis by the Movement for a Better America. Abortion data based on published data from Guttmacher Institute. Abortion Index is updated every six months. Latest update: 1-2-2010 For permission to distribute copies of The Abortion Index, write to:
Movement for a Better America
PO Box 472
Mt. Freedom, NJ 07970-0472
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
All Things to All People
The unique and respectable quality of Christianity is its exclusiveness. This is what non-Christians despise about it. But, it is what the God of the Bible commands of His believers; there is one true God and One Truth. That is why the Holy Bible remains undiminished.
When you accept Christ into your life, you start to appreciate some basic principles found in the Bible. If you are in doubt about what to believe, you refer back to the Holy Bible and see what God says about the particular issue. Its not always clear in one verse, but put into conext of the entire Word of God, you can come to a sound conclusion on most matters. However, if you are searching the Bible to accommodate your beliefs, you are preverting God's Word. Further, once you deviate from what the Bible says or seek other sources for counsel which conflicts with the Bible, that viewpoint can no longer be supported or tolerated within the faith. It is sin.
This assessment is not intended to address any particular issue, but to illustrate a parallel to the adoption of ones political views.
As a citizen of this country, one appreciates some basic principles of our Constitution. If one is in doubt of how the country should work or how people should be treated or what laws are based upon, one can refer to our Constitution. Not every law is detailed within the document, but from that, you can typically understand the cohesive succession of law. If a law contradicts that foundation and/or a law is being manipulated into an individual's "interpretation" of that document, it becomes a perversion of original context.
In the case of our American Constitution, much perversion or the original intent has taken place. To accruately understand the authors' intent, one needs to be reminded of the history of oppression our founding fathers experienced prior to drafting it. They were not, as some suggest, unfamiliar with the issues or today. In fact, it was many of the issues of today they they were trying to protect Americans from. Our Constitution, as the Christian faith, are based on this central theme: Freedom with Responsibility.
God allowed an imperfect world so that his children may choose the life they wish to live. Jesus came to lead, to be an example, so that people may choose to follow him. God gave us the ability, a brain and a heart make our own decision. But, He says, once you "call my name", you are "not your own." He gave us freedom, but once we choose to follow him, it comes with certain responsibilities, which we willingly and joyfully submit to, because we are thankful for his grace and forgiveness.
Likewise, our founding fathers wrote the Constitution based on freedom and responsibility. We are not wards to an oppressive King who demands our unfailing loyalty. We are not told how to think, what to say or forbidden to question. We have a President to serve as a leader, at our pleasure. He is supposed to be our representative, our defender and our example to follow. He is not elected to author the laws but to enforce them. He is not to serve the other bodies of government, but the people.
To ensure limited powers, we have the Consitution. It is to be view as a whole; a complete work. Once someone begins to chip into that framework, by adding to it or subtracting from it as trends may change, we diminish the country's integrity. It is no longer, uniquely and exclusively "American."
Therefore, if one wants to discuss the merits of Americanism, that is fine. If one wants to challenge the abuses of individuals with the established framework, great. But we are not a nation of "all things to all people." This nation is a refuge for those who are seeking what we have. If someone doesn't like the manuscript from which principles are built - well, they have the freedom to shop for a better story.
When you accept Christ into your life, you start to appreciate some basic principles found in the Bible. If you are in doubt about what to believe, you refer back to the Holy Bible and see what God says about the particular issue. Its not always clear in one verse, but put into conext of the entire Word of God, you can come to a sound conclusion on most matters. However, if you are searching the Bible to accommodate your beliefs, you are preverting God's Word. Further, once you deviate from what the Bible says or seek other sources for counsel which conflicts with the Bible, that viewpoint can no longer be supported or tolerated within the faith. It is sin.
This assessment is not intended to address any particular issue, but to illustrate a parallel to the adoption of ones political views.
As a citizen of this country, one appreciates some basic principles of our Constitution. If one is in doubt of how the country should work or how people should be treated or what laws are based upon, one can refer to our Constitution. Not every law is detailed within the document, but from that, you can typically understand the cohesive succession of law. If a law contradicts that foundation and/or a law is being manipulated into an individual's "interpretation" of that document, it becomes a perversion of original context.
In the case of our American Constitution, much perversion or the original intent has taken place. To accruately understand the authors' intent, one needs to be reminded of the history of oppression our founding fathers experienced prior to drafting it. They were not, as some suggest, unfamiliar with the issues or today. In fact, it was many of the issues of today they they were trying to protect Americans from. Our Constitution, as the Christian faith, are based on this central theme: Freedom with Responsibility.
God allowed an imperfect world so that his children may choose the life they wish to live. Jesus came to lead, to be an example, so that people may choose to follow him. God gave us the ability, a brain and a heart make our own decision. But, He says, once you "call my name", you are "not your own." He gave us freedom, but once we choose to follow him, it comes with certain responsibilities, which we willingly and joyfully submit to, because we are thankful for his grace and forgiveness.
Likewise, our founding fathers wrote the Constitution based on freedom and responsibility. We are not wards to an oppressive King who demands our unfailing loyalty. We are not told how to think, what to say or forbidden to question. We have a President to serve as a leader, at our pleasure. He is supposed to be our representative, our defender and our example to follow. He is not elected to author the laws but to enforce them. He is not to serve the other bodies of government, but the people.
To ensure limited powers, we have the Consitution. It is to be view as a whole; a complete work. Once someone begins to chip into that framework, by adding to it or subtracting from it as trends may change, we diminish the country's integrity. It is no longer, uniquely and exclusively "American."
Therefore, if one wants to discuss the merits of Americanism, that is fine. If one wants to challenge the abuses of individuals with the established framework, great. But we are not a nation of "all things to all people." This nation is a refuge for those who are seeking what we have. If someone doesn't like the manuscript from which principles are built - well, they have the freedom to shop for a better story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Investments with Eternal Returns
Every summer is the same conversation for my husband and I. We wrestle over the finances and ask ourselves again, "Can we afford a private Christian education for our kids next fall?"
This year was especially tough . . . we have other financial obligations, cars that are aging, dreams that are postponed and children that are growing - rapidly. Everything is costing more and it seems we never have any extra to get ahead. It is a familiar feeling among families - ours is no exception.
So, why do we make this sacrifice? Our tuition payment is almost as much as a second mortgage; at least as much as a car payment, maybe enough for a cabin on a lake. . . and definitely enough for a vacation fund! How many years to we let these pass us by so we can write that check out each month? Should we be investing it for retirement or college? Are we wasting years of memories and opportunities for our kids? What is the right decision?
I try to explain to friends and family that this decision doesn't come easily. After all, public school is FREE! Surely God doesn't want us to carry debt. Surely he cares about the safety of our cars and our retirement. Are we being irresponsible? We wonder ourselves sometimes whether it's"worth" it. The decision is an annual journey of pros, cons and prayer.
But this is where we return every time: Public Schools have failed our family. My husband and I work very hard to teach our kids truth and integrity, according to our faith. We expect from them: respect, manners and charity toward others. Our kids aren't perfect and we aren't flawless in our upbringing. But after all the trials and tears, WHY would I allow the school "system" to systematically unweave the fabric of my family?
Public schools are no longer a place or order, respect, modesty and wisdom. Through curriculum and design - even through funding - they have politicized our children's education in the name of diversity. It is sad, that I, as an American, a taxpayer and a parent, cannot enjoy one of the foundational rights of my country - free education.
But, the beauty is, I have found, is the freedoms I do enjoy - CHOICE, RELIGION, SPEECH. Albeit at a large cost, I can still exercise my faith, choose to go elsewhere and speak up. That is why, for Christ's sake, I can delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)
For all the explanations and justifications, I offer this from a parental perspective: "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." (Prov 20:7) The investment may be mortal to our checkbook today, but the rewards are eternal. Amen.
This year was especially tough . . . we have other financial obligations, cars that are aging, dreams that are postponed and children that are growing - rapidly. Everything is costing more and it seems we never have any extra to get ahead. It is a familiar feeling among families - ours is no exception.
So, why do we make this sacrifice? Our tuition payment is almost as much as a second mortgage; at least as much as a car payment, maybe enough for a cabin on a lake. . . and definitely enough for a vacation fund! How many years to we let these pass us by so we can write that check out each month? Should we be investing it for retirement or college? Are we wasting years of memories and opportunities for our kids? What is the right decision?
I try to explain to friends and family that this decision doesn't come easily. After all, public school is FREE! Surely God doesn't want us to carry debt. Surely he cares about the safety of our cars and our retirement. Are we being irresponsible? We wonder ourselves sometimes whether it's"worth" it. The decision is an annual journey of pros, cons and prayer.
But this is where we return every time: Public Schools have failed our family. My husband and I work very hard to teach our kids truth and integrity, according to our faith. We expect from them: respect, manners and charity toward others. Our kids aren't perfect and we aren't flawless in our upbringing. But after all the trials and tears, WHY would I allow the school "system" to systematically unweave the fabric of my family?
Public schools are no longer a place or order, respect, modesty and wisdom. Through curriculum and design - even through funding - they have politicized our children's education in the name of diversity. It is sad, that I, as an American, a taxpayer and a parent, cannot enjoy one of the foundational rights of my country - free education.
But, the beauty is, I have found, is the freedoms I do enjoy - CHOICE, RELIGION, SPEECH. Albeit at a large cost, I can still exercise my faith, choose to go elsewhere and speak up. That is why, for Christ's sake, I can delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)
For all the explanations and justifications, I offer this from a parental perspective: "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." (Prov 20:7) The investment may be mortal to our checkbook today, but the rewards are eternal. Amen.
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