Notes From Jon

I have been amazed at the amount of hatred and sniping that has been seen this week. I suppose I shouldn’t be.  But I am amazed anyway, and sickened.

It’s hard to put political feelings aside, I realize.  But I recognize that I’m part of a greater citizenship than that of a particular political party.  I’m a citizen of a heavenly kingdom first, and of a great nation second.  I think most of us recognize that.

So again, it’s amazing to me to see people already plotting our new President’s demise, after only three days in office.  I see them everywhere – CNN, Fox News, OpEds in papers, religious forums… even on Facebook.  There are, of course, the continued gripes about his policies – whether real or only imagined.  And then there are the petty jabs about something he said or did that was awkward… as if, just like our previous presidents, Mr. Obama is not a real human being who makes mistakes from time to time.

Is it possible that seeds of anger and division are already being sown, when the soil is only newly plowed?

I don’t suffer from the “savior delusion” many are claiming.  I’m as skeptical as many of you.  Barack Obama is not Jesus – he won’t be able to fix all our problems.  This side of heaven, no one is going to be able to fix all the ills that plague humanity.

But whether John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Al Franken or even Fred Thompson had become president this week, I have concerns that are greater than any awkwardness those people might present in their first days in office.  In fact, a bit of awkwardness might be expected… if nearly anyone stepped into the most powerful office in the world without a bit of awkwardness, I’d be worried.

No matter who you voted for, Barack Obama is our president in a historic and crucial time for our nation.  In the midst of several great crises – economic, energy, environmental, and international relations to name a few – how can someone root for our elected leader to fail, and thereby allow our nation to slide into even worse condition than it already is?  Just because they hold a personal dislike for someone?  Because they want someone they “like” to swoop in and “save” us all instead?

Many imply it, but only Rush Limbaugh has been brave enough to actually say it so far: “I hope he fails.”  Granted, Mr. Limbaugh can say something like that, since he has millions of dollars and his reputation is already secure.

Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh is not governed by certain “Laws” and “Policies” that affect me as a Christ Follower.  Didn’t Jesus say to love and to pray for our enemies (Matt. 5 to for a start)?  Didn’t Paul urge us to respect and pray for our leaders and authorities (1 Tim. 4, Romans 13)?  Is there anywhere in the Scriptures where bitterness and discord are encouraged?

This is the time to support our president in prayer and in action, and work for the good of our country.  It’s the season to sow seeds of encouragement and unity, to work together to nurture the ideals that have made this nation great.  It’s time to look carefully and critically at the policies and practices of a new president, not his dance moves or his verbal stumbles.

The seeds we sow now will be reaped later.  What kinds of seeds are we sowing in these crucial days?

[PLEASE NOTE FIRST:  While the following is not graphic, it shares my experience of researching the Jonestown Massacre.  It is disturbing at times, and rightfully so.  Be forewarned!]

Yesterday afternoon I had a very disturbing experience.  I was checking up on the news on cnn.com, when I saw that Soledad O’Brien was doing an extended piece on the Jonestown Massacre in 1978.  Next week will be the 30^th anniversary of that tragedy, and I realized that while I had heard a lot about Jonestown, I had never really found out much about what happened there.  In today’s information age, this kind of stuff is easy to find, so I decided to do a little research.

Now I wish I hadn’t.  But in a way, I’m glad I did.  The story might be familiar to many of you – but it wasn’t to me.

First, I saw some videos of Jim Jones, and he sounded just like a normal preacher – he had a powerful voice, a strong delivery, and a familiarity with the bible that showed in the little “scripture snippets” he wove into his narrative.  I didn’t agree with all of what he said, particularly his interpretation of some passages, but he seemed solid in his understanding.  But I did agree with his assertion that Christians should be involved in repairing a broken society.  In fact, if I didn’t know the rest of the story, I probably would have thought he was just another preacher like myself… just a bit more conservative.

Jones’ popularity and wide audience in his early ministry, along with his strong convictions for racial equality, made him a natural choice as director of the Human Rights Commission in Indianapolis.  His speeches about the treatments of blacks were impassioned and persuasive.  African-Americans were drawn to his cause and to his “church.”

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Well, I’ve been working hard to keep my political preferences hidden in most of my public life (except maybe on Facebook, and even then I didn’t go all out or anything).  Honestly, I’ve come to view elections a lot like I view football – I have that nervous, queasy feeling in my stomach today, waiting to see who will “win.”  I’ll be watching this evening to see the results.  And like most of you, I’ll be VERY GLAD when it’s all over.

For reasons I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve been careful not to be open in declaring my position about this election, even though I’ve got pretty strong feelings about it.  I made a contribution, however small, to the campaign of my choice because I believed in it – and still do.  But no one knew about that donation except me and my Visa card.  I didn’t put up yard signs, didn’t make phone calls.  I recognize the power I have as a spiritual leader, and I know that by advocating a particular candidate, I might have undue sway on someone in the community (either for OR against, depending on how they feel about me!).  I’d rather use that influence for things that will make a difference.

And no matter who wins, I will support them in whatever ways I can.  I don’t subscribe to the whole, “don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him” mentality.  It’s a cop-out.  It’s as if we could say, “Since I didn’t vote for whoever is in government, I don’t have to abide by the rules of law, and I have no responsibility for what our nation does.”  If you didn’t vote for Bush, and if you blamed him for the current economic crisis, does that mean your retirement account is immune from the stock market fallout?  Of course not.  We’re all in this together, no matter who we voted for.

Now I’ve cast my vote, and so have most of you.  So at last, I feel like I can “vent.”

I voted for Obama, and I’m going to tell you some of the reasons why.  I am NOT going to slam John McCain – in fact, I have a lot of respect for him.  He has an amazing story as a soldier and as a US Senator…

[Edit: I've decided not to post my reasons here.  If you really want to know, email me and I'll share them.  But I think the above says enough.  This blog is primarily an outlet for my writings and musings about faith.  And while I viewed this election very much as a matter of faith, I also see that it was polarizing for people of faith.  I don't want this to be a place for that.]

I wish I’d had my camera.  And even if I had, it was pouring down rain, so it wouldn’t have been a good picture anyway.  But I had two urges as I drove up and saw our polling place in Kenbridge this morning

First, I felt pride.  As I drove up, I saw a line of at least 20 people outside the Kenbridge Emergency Squad, waiting their turn to vote.  It’s the most people I’ve ever seen at the polling place here, and I’m proud because so many people obviously care enough about his election that they are willing to stand out in the rain in order to vote.

Second, I had to laugh.  Most of your polling places probably looked similar to ours on the outside.  The ground looked normal enough, close to the doors where people waited to enter the building.  But about 40 feet out, you could almost see a defiined perimeter – an army of red and blue campaign signs, laying seige on the polls.  By state law, you can’t even wear a t-shirt, hat, or sticker for the candidate of your choice within 40 feet of the building entrance.  So of course, at 41 feet there are tents with people waving signs, handing out literature, and “encouraging” you to vote for their candidate.

I laughed because today, in the age of information, what use are campaign signs?  They seem like a waste of money.  They say nothing about the candidate – unless you count some of those signs attacking the opponent, which actually says more about the person attacking than the one being attacked.

I suppose, however, that undecided voters might just pull up to the polling site and begin counting the signs.  Whoever has more signs up here obviously deserves to be president.  Or if you’re undecided and you’re a gambler, maybe the “eeny-meeny-miney-moe” technique would work for you.

What do you think?  Is there a place for yard signs in future elections?

Someone always says what I’m thinking better than I could.  In this case, I’m linking to Chuck Warnock’s blog, “Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor.”  This is something like my post a couple of weeks ago, “How to Vote in the November Elections,” but Chuck’s version is much more concise and much better stated.

I encourage you to have a look at Chuck’s post from last week: “Why I will not endorse a candidate for president.“

Romans 5:1-8
“Rejoicing in Suffering?”

Last week we talked about the plotline of the story Paul is telling.  The exposition, the narrative hook, the rising action, the climax, and the falling action.  We also talked about how this is not just a novel or some story we’re reading – but that at the climax, each of our stories begin.  We hear the good news, we are confronted with the power and truth of the Gospel.  The rising action asks the question: How will we respond?  Paul assumes we will respond in true faith that changes our lives.

So Paul continues in chapter 5:

Rom 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  (2)  through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

This sounds good so far, right?  But Paul never leaves well-enough alone.

Rom 5:3-8 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  (4)  and endurance, character, and character, hope.  (5)  And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

And why do we have hope?

(6) For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.)  (8)  But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Woah, Paul.  Why’d you have to go there?  Rejoicing in “the hope of God’s glory” from verse 2, that’s good.  Why don’t we skip a few verses?  There’s no need to talk about suffering, is there? Read the rest of this entry »

This is the second part in my series on Romans, and it was a difficult sermon to preach.  Several people have told me how much they enjoyed it – I just hope it comes across as well on blog as it did out loud!

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Casting the First Stone

Romans 1:24 – 2:16

Catching Up…

Two weeks ago, we started looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans.  Here are some of the things we learned about the book:

• Paul is writing to the church in Rome, which he did not start and which he had not visited.
• He is writing mostly to non-Jews, so he is forced to explain his arguments in ways that non-Jews (like us) can understand.
• Paul is also taking this chance to outline his understanding of the Gospel – our need for salvation and how God provided for that need.

Paul is using an argument that he has carefully thought out.  Paul is a highly educated man, and he is skilled at putting together arguments that are persuasive.  Here is the beginning of the outline of Paul’s argument.

• God’s anger is stirred up against ALL human beings:
  • No human being has an excuse – whether we have heard directly or only perceived in nature and in others, EVERYONE has some sense that there is a God.
  • So it is not IGNORANCE that stirs God’s wrath, but our deliberate rejection of him – especially when we know the Truth and ignore it.

We found encouragement in Paul’s outline of the Good News that God has done something about this already.  But we also found a challenge – especially for those of us who have HEARD the Truth and KNOW what it means to obey… but we CHOOSE to disobey anyway.

Moving Ahead – The Wickedness of “Them”

Now we’ll read 1:24-32.  It’s not an easy passage for us to hear: Read the rest of this entry »

Album Cover: Before the Throne by Sojourn Music

Shea Gilbert, a friend of ours, stumbled on an interesting song I decided to check out.  I love it – the tune has a simple, hymn-like quality, and the lyrics express what (in my opinion) should be Christians’ proper prayer and concern for our nation (ourselves included).  It’s certainly not the “strong” position we’re used to hearing as Americans: it exhibits weakness, expresses doubts about our own motives and actions, it’s repentant and thoughtful…

It’s published by Sojurn Music, and it makes me want to hear some more of their music.  The lyrics are below, and you can find an mp3 recording here.

Falling down upon our knees,
Sharing now in common shame,
We have sought security,
Not the cross that bears Your name.
Fences guard our hearts and homes –
Comfort sings a siren tune.
We’re a valley of dry bones;
Lead us back to life in You.

Lord we fall upon our knees,
We have shunned the weak and poor,
Worshiped beauty, courted kings
And the things their gold affords,
Prayed for those we’d like to know –
Favor sings a siren tune.
We’ve become a talent show;
Lead us back to life in You.

You have caused the blind to see,
We have blinded him again
With our man-made laws and creeds,
Eager, ready to condemn.
Now we plead before Your throne –
Power sings a siren tune.
We’ve been throwing heavy stones;
Lead us back to life in You.

We’re a valley of dry bones
Lead us back to life in You.
We’ve become a talent show
Lead us back to life in You.
We’ve been throwing heavy stones
Lead us back to life in You.

My sermon on doubt a couple of Sundays ago has sparked some interesting conversations with church members in the last few days.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that my friend Jim Evans wrote a column about doubt last week.  Jim was my pastor at Crosscreek Baptist when I was in Birmingham.  He is an excellent writer, and publishes articles regularly in several Alabama newspapers and Christian Magazines and news services.   Besides that, he’s a good friend, he married Tanya and I, and served as a mentor to me (both formally and informally) as I explored my calling in seminary.

You can read the article yourself (follow the link above), but here’s the final few sentences that said what I wanted to say in my sermon.  He always has a way of saying it better!

Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Certitude is the opposite of faith. Doubt is an essential human quality that keeps us from being tricked into thinking we know what in fact cannot be known. We can have faith in God, but as humans we are incapable of grasping the totality of who God is.

A little healthy doubt keeps us honest and humble.

Poor Thomas
Luke 24:36-43 and all of John chapter 20
Sermon for Second Sunday of Easter (A)
March 30, 2008

One of my goals in preaching is clarity – making sure that by the end of my message, what I’m saying has been clearly conveyed. Realizing of course that clarity depends partially on the one who’s hearing as well as the one who’s speaking, I work to make sure my presentation is easy to follow and understand, keeps the attention, and doesn’t try to fit in too many different ideas at once.

Sometimes I feel I do pretty well. Other times I don’t, and this past Sunday was one of those times. So what I’m doing now is trying to clarify. I apologize for not being as thoughtful about this sermon as I usually am. But I’m not taking back anything that I said. I simply want to make my own thoughts a little clearer.

So what follows is an expanded and (hopefully) clearer version of the sermon I preached on Sunday.

—

Introduction – Poor Mr. Thomas

Before I read the scriptures for the message, I want to play a little game. It’s called “word association.” Psychologists use it all the time to get at our deepest thoughts, but I want to use it this morning to prove a theory.

I’m going to say a disciple’s name, and I want you to call out the first thing that comes to mind when I say it:

• Peter [responses included "steady," "denial," "foundation," "great preacher."]
• John [responses: "beloved," "faithful"]
• Matthew ["tax collector," "Levi,"
• Judas ["traitor," "betrayer"]
• Thomas [a resounding "DOUBTER"]

[Here, the scriptures were read]

How many of you have ever “doubted” God? Questioned? What were the circumstances? Look at Mr. Thomas, the disciple. He has been looked down on for centuries because of his doubt – even gaining the nickname “doubting Thomas.” And somewhere along the line we’ve picked up the idea that what Thomas did was wrong.

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