what is better

Now THAT’S Economic Stimulus!

Frank

A church in Texas has given a new purpose to the traditional collection plate. Instead of taking up an offering, they offered the plate to whomever needed it. In the past two months, they’ve given away a half-million dollars and this has inspired the congregation to be more generous than ever. Not only are they giving to congregants in need, but they’re also giving back to the community and spreading the wealth to missions. I love this quote from the pastor when questioned if he worried about being taken advantage of, “I told my church a couple weeks ago, if I’m not being taken advantage of, I’m not being like Jesus.”

This church is not alone in this either. The article doesn’t say, but they may have been inspired by the book The Kingdom Assignment and its continued ministry.

This is an inspiring story, and one I hope my own congregation can repeat in some fashion. In a time when so many are worried how they’re going to pay for their next meal or if they’ll still have a job in a week, this church is doing what churches should be doing: helping those in need and inspiring hope. It’s an example we should all consider.

On Sunday I shared for our contribution and related the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19. Considering the comfort we enjoy in this country and the religious freedom we have, I pointed out that giving sacrificially is likely the hardest thing we will ever do as Christians. Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 19:23) Hope, from stories like this, make it that much easier.

God and Sports, Revisited

Frank

Today is the big day. Super Bowl XLIII, pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Ben Roethlisberger, against the Arizona Cardinals, let by Kurt Warner. I’ve talked about Kurt’s faith before and debated whether God plays favorites in sports. But I recommend this article from last week that sums it up pretty well.

Aside from that debate, however is a more serious question. How many people are skipping church today (at least on the West Coast) to watch this game? How many people are skipping work? How many will tune out their families tuning in to the game? Church competes with the NFL for a few months out of the year and for many, it is very tempting to skip worshiping our Lord in heaven in order to cheer on a team that we never played for, don’t have ownership in, and likely don’t know any of the players personally. It’s a very impersonal devotion, complete with animal sacrifice (the tailgate or home bbq), ritual (face painting, favorite jersey), and prayer (‘please, please, please make this 55 yard field goal!’). Die hard fans are more likely to know the names of the 11 starters on offense than the names of the 12 apostles.

So while we consider Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger’s faith, we should also look inward at or own. Are we bigger fans of the Super Bowl or super fans of the Lord above?

High Hopes

Frank

’cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

All problems just a toy balloon
They’ll be bursted soon
They’re just bound to go pop
Oops, there goes another problem kerplop

-Frank Sinatra, High Hopes

Did you take Tuesday off or skip away to a TV to watch the inauguration? My local paper was filled with stories of people gathering in homes, barbershops, and churches to watch this historical event. Many were described to be in tears. There was even an interview with the granddaughter of a former slave about how she thought she’d never see this day.

The significance of this new administration with regards to our racist past, America’s melting-pot multiculturalism, and the saying that anyone in this country could become president finally being proven true is valid and worth reflecting upon. But there was another reason so many were tuned in Tuesday- an end to the policies of the past eight years in the face of global crises we face. Barak Obama was elected on a platform of change. His biggest supporters spoke frequently of hope. So with this new administration, expectations are high as crises abound. He faces war, a collapsing economy, a divided electorate, and an incompetent legislature. It may be too much for one man, let alone two terms.

Deep down in our hearts, we all want to change the world for the better (or to better us). President Obama is no different. But we must be cautious of too much hope. After all, ‘hope springs eternal in the human breast. Man never is, but always to be blessed.’ The first part is quoted often and gives a sense of warm-fuzzies. But when you include the second sentence the poem takes on a different meaning. We always hope because we never ever can get what it is we’re hoping for. Change? Keep hoping. The political establishment is well defined, there will always be wars over land, resources and power, there will always be someone in need, and people will never agree on everything.

It helps to have hope aimed in the right direction. “In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Mt 12:21) “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'” (Rom 15:12) Jesus is our hope and our salvation. Everything here is just a mist.

To keep things in perspective consider:

The poor you will always have with you… (Mt 26:11)
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed… (Mk 13:7)
My kingdom in not of this world… (Jn 18:36)

Are you optimistic about this new administration? Elated, encouraged or excited? Or are you skeptical? Discouraged, disgruntled, or disappointed? Whichever side of the isle you’re on, whatever color your state, whatever direction your political winds blow remember the words of Jesus above. Obama is only a person with a title, in a position created by people as flawed as we are. Our hope is in Christ alone.

Culture War: Priorities

Frank

There are only a few shopping days left before Christmas. You’re likely going to brave the weekend crowds at the mall, scramble to find something off the shelves that have been picked clean, struggle to come up with what to get your in-laws, and all the while forget why you’re doing this to begin with. Then you’ll head home, look at the pile of dishes in the sink and think about the family coming over in just a couple of days and all the cleaning and rearranging of furniture that needs to be done before then. And if you’re like me, you still need to get that last string of lights up on the house and decorate the tree.

Can you relate? Do you feel hurried, stressed, overwhelmed? Do you wish there was just one more week before Christmas? I do. But then I’m a lot like Martha, who in Luke 10 is described as being “distracted by all the preparations that [have] to be made.” (Luke 10:40) But then we forget what we’re preparing for. Yes, we want Christmas to be memorable for our children and we want them to have everything they asked Santa for (within reason). We want to be warm and hospitable towards our family and friends. But what about “the reason for the season?” What about Jesus?

Are we reflecting Christ when we lose our patience at the store? Do we show the love of Jesus to our children when we lose our temper as they try to get into every present that’s already been wrapped and hunt for the ones that aren’t? Are we really being a witness to our families when what’s most important to us is getting everything done?

I write this for myself. My wife reminded me this morning that we needed to take time and get into God’s word, lean on Him in our stress, and not be overwhelmed with our “to dos”. I need to be more like Mary, who knew that “only one thing was needed.” (Luke 10:42)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)