Conflicted

For the wages of sin is death… I am sure that all of you have heard the news by now of Osama Bin Laden’s recent demise. I have been reflecting all morning on the events of the last 10 years that have culminated in the hunt for and death of this one man, and to be honest I’m not exactly sure how to feel or respond.

Of course, part of me is relieved, even happy at the news. This man has been the symbol of hatred and violence for the better part of two decades. He orchestrated and authorized horrendous acts against innocent men, women and children. Hate seemed to be his primary motivation and he “deserved” the end result of his actions. I am certain that his death has brought a great deal of closure to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives on 9-11 and throughout this ongoing conflict. For that I am thankful.

And yet, we know that Bin Laden’s death will not bring hatred and violence to an end. In fact, there may be an escalation of hostility in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We should pray for all who find themselves in hostile territory today, whether they are military, missionaries, or simply innocent families attempting to carry out daily life in a war zone. We pray for true peace that can only come through the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Despite the relief, I am experiencing other conflicting feelings. As a citizen of the United States and a human being who desires safety and security for my family, and seeks vengeance on my enemies, this is good news. But, as a follower of Christ, I am confronted and challenged by the Scriptures to think about the situation differently.

Ezekiel 18:23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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

Romans 12:18-21 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I cannot rejoice in Bin Laden’s demise or the destruction of our enemies. Instead, I pray that all would have a genuine encounter with the risen Lord that hatred may be overcome with love and evil with good.

30 Hour Famine

Our ROC Solid Youth participated in 30 Hour Famine this weekend to raise awareness about world hunger and raise money to help support the poor. Not only did they abstain from eating for 30 hours, but they also participated in service to others all day on Saturday through work projects and handing out food to the homeless. I am so proud of our youth and their leaders! Check out this video that highlights their activities this weekend.

Shining Eyes

Well worth 20 minutes of your day!

Swing Low

If you missed either of the last two Sundays at ROC Church, then you missed out on a powerful time in the presence of the Lord! The most moving moments for me have been the ongoing testimonies of God’s transforming power at work in our midst. We have heard of people overcoming addictions, gaining new insights, finding acceptance and forgiveness, and growing in faith. And, yesterday Marie Douglas blessed us all with a beautiful, spontaneous testimony in song that fit perfectly with the main point in our passage – only the Holy Spirit can orchestrate such things. I’ve been thinking all day about the powerful spiritual she shared:

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home?
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.

Sometimes I'm up, and sometimes I'm down,
(Coming for to carry me home)
But still my soul feels heavenly bound.
(Coming for to carry me home)

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

In a real sense, we know that no matter what we face the Lord will carry us through – all the way home. We don’t need to worry. We are God’s children – Receive who you are! He will take care of us – Become what you have received!

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
~ Matthew 18:1-5

Lay down the weight of worry so that you can run and jump and play as His child. Enjoy the day He has created for you. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Remember, as the wise, older grandfather said in the Grace Card, “Sunday is just the locker room. Monday through Saturday is when we play the game.” We need that time in the locker room, but now is the time we practice our faith. Play well this week!

Love Your Neighbor

This is an incredible image of Egyptian Christians who formed a barrier to protect their Muslim neighbors while they pray during the chaotic time of protest. We have much to learn from our brothers and sisters.

Snow-nami

Are you prepared for the snow-pocalypse? If you have been watching the news, then you are aware that there is a winter storm headed our way. Of course, our sensational media make it sound like the world is coming to an end on Tuesday. The sky is falling! Well, at least some white stuff will be falling from the sky. And we wonder why people respond with irrational fear.

I haven’t ventured to the store yet, but I can guess that they are already running low on basic supplies after the ensuing mad dash to get ready for the coming storm. People are planning to hunker down at home for several days. This is generally an appropriate response to the news that has been shared. What strikes me as odd is that we know how to respond and prepare when we hear about the weather. We generally even know how to respond to other current news stories. But how are we at responding to the Good News?

Jesus even said that we are good at reading the signs in the sky, understanding weather patterns, and yet we can’t read the signs of the times. We do alright getting ready for snow, but how are we doing at preparing for eternity? How are we practicing for the coming Kingdom of God? We won’t find those supplies at the store. It is only as we let go and die to self, daily take up our cross and follow Him that we participate in what God is doing and prepare for that coming day. No turning back… no turning back.

Wisdom from fellow Christ-followers - Marcella of Rome (325 – 410 AD):
Marcella had an enviable life as the daughter of a prominent Roman family who married a wealthy man. But less than a year after her wedding, her husband died. She was given the chance to continue living in wealth when she was proposed to by the wealthy consul Cerealis. She chose instead to convert her mansion into one of the earliest communities of women, where she and other noble women used their riches to help the poor. Marcella said she preferred to “store her money in the stomachs of the needy than to hide it in a purse.” In 410, when the Goths invaded Rome, they broke into Marcella’s home. When they demanded money, she calmly responded that she had no riches because she had given all to the poor. Though she was an elderly woman, they beat and tortured her mercilessly. Her attackers were eventually shamed by her piety and she was released, but she died within a short time.

Marcella of Rome wrote, “By heaven’s grace, captivity has found me a poor woman, not made me one. Now I shall go in want of daily bread, but I shall not feel hunger since I am full of Christ.”

One in the Spirit

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:4-6

Today we honor the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe that his dream is not only rooted in the American dream, but is also rooted in God’s vision for His world. We were made for each other. We need each other. And it is my prayer that all God’s children will come together in unity in the Spirit. Let us remember King’s dream:

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Watch an online documentary about King here.