Category Archives: Courage

Does Jesus Want You to Vote?

March 5, 2012 By in Courage, Culture, Politics, Post-Modernity, Society, State, Virtue 17 Comments
Does Jesus Want You to Vote?

I may be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, but the precinct where God has me live and vote is here in Virginia.

Because of my citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom…

Because the Lord rose triumphantly from the grave and declared that “all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me”…

And because of His concurrent command in Matt. 28 to therefore go transform all “nations” (the Greek word is “ethne”, which actually means cultures)…

I take the time to understand the issues and the candidates – and then vote.

Christian Isolationists

Unfortunately, there are those within the Christian community who discourage us from extending the blessing of Christ’s Kingdom into in the civic life of our nation.

Vote Your Values, Vote Your Faith

They have embraced post-modern isolationism, and think the Kingdom of God is some insular enclave of believers who should just focus on “spiritual” matters and each other.

Some have even gone so far as to rebuke us if we don’t join in their retreat from Christ’s command that we become transformationally engaged in our nation and culture.

I don’t know about them, but the Jesus I know and love – and whose passion courses through my veins – is big enough to embrace all of life. He calls me to bring illuminating light to my culture and flavoring salt to my nation.

In essence, the Christian isolationists of our day deny Christ’s comprehensive Lordship over all creation and all spheres of human endeavor.

Lord of All

In contrast, Scripture makes it clear that the institution of civil government – as imperfect as it may be today and as imperfect as it was when the Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean world of the New Testament – is ordained by God.

That doesn’t mean God ordains the evil of abusive government power, but it does mean that civil government nonetheless is an essential component of God’s intended order – and, when it operates properly as He intended, it is a good thing and becomes blessing.

Likewise, the Lord says that governing officials – even those who were part of Roman’s domination – are to be “ministers of God“. (See, e.g., Rom. 13:1-7)

In that same passage, He tells us that government and government officials have a proper role to play in His providence: To uphold justice, protect the innocent, and restrain evil.

I want to see justice upheld, the innocent protected, and evil restrained – and therefore refuse to surrender my delegated authority as a citizen of God’s Kingdom those who want to use government for other agendas.

And so I vote.

The Lord also admonishes us that: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Prov. 29:2)

I want to see people rejoice by supporting righteous (even if not perfect) governance, and I care enough to want to stop the burden of wicked rule.

And so I vote.

Radical Love

Regardless of who you support, and regardless of the fact that there are never perfect choices, it is time to stop groaning and to start bringing the blessings of God into the civic life of our nation by caring enough to vote.

If your Jesus is fractured and thus not Lord of all…

If He is indifferent to government and its proper function, despite saying otherwise in scripture…

If He has called you to retreat into post-modern isolationism…

If your faith is too small to believe that God can impact civil government as He people affirm His providence even there…

Then by all means, don’t vote. That just means my vote will count all the more.

But for me, I affirm the radical proclamation of His Lordship over all things – including civil government.

And I love Him and those around me enough to want His intended blessings of righteousness even in the civil arena.

As an act of love, I therefore will do my part by voting even when our choices are imperfect (as they always will be short of His return) – and trust God for the rest.

My Jesus is yet sovereign over history and the course of nations!

If that’s the Jesus you know, love and serve, then please join me – as a citizen of God’s Kingdom in the precinct where He’s placed you – by voting your values and voting your faith.

If this resonates with you, feel free to share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or Email buttons below.

For a related blog, see The Growing Idolatry of Civil Government.

About Justice

December 8, 2011 By in Abuse, Christ Chapel, Compassion, Courage, Justice, Predatory Leaders, Sex Abuse 5 Comments
About Justice

Jesus comforted the afflicted, and afflicted the comfortable.

Compassion for the Afflicted or for Evildoers?

When, through your silence or denial, the afflicted pay the price to maintain your comfort zones – in your personal life, your church, your community or your nation – watch out!

Justice, in its most basic terms, is making sure that evildoers – rather than their victims – bear the cost of their evil.

Injustice is when we impose those costs on the victims, often because we are unwilling to be discomforted by admitting to – or dealing with – the evil among us.

Jesus, because He is love, is also about justice.

And so, even today, He comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.

Hypocrisy and Courage

September 10, 2011 By in Abusive Pastor, Christ Chapel, Courage, Predatory Leaders, Sex Abuse Leave a comment
Hypocrisy and Courage

Why is it that folks who refuse to bear witness against sexual predators who exploit young women in our churches, thus condoning the abuse, seem to be the most concerned about young people otherwise staying sexually pure?

Condoning Abuse and Predation

If those folks don’t value the sexuality of our young enough to expose and stop leaders who have become sexual thieves, then why should our young also value sexual integrity?

What stark hypocrisy!

I must add, however, how grateful I am for all who did come forward to bear witness against the evil that occurred over the last several years at a large Assembly of God church in the area. Thank you! Your willingness to step forward, even though it was difficult and it took lots of courage, is making a difference. You have shown the world that there yet remains men and women of integrity in our churches.

Continue reading →

Government Run Amuck

August 6, 2011 By in America, Bondage, Courage, Politics, State, Tyranny 1 Comment
Government Run Amuck

S&P downgraded the United States last night.

I hope and pray that this will serve as a wake-up call for the Church to realize that Biblical precepts can’t be mocked if any nation wants to survive. If God’s people don’t begin to understand, articulate and follow those precepts, then there is no hope.

One of those precepts is that God has ordained certain roles and responsibilities for civil government, and Scripture has lots to say about how individuals, families, the Church, the State and voluntary associations are to function.

However, there is not a single verse or example in all of Scripture which lends any credence to the view that God has given civil government the right or responsibility to re-distribute wealth or provide for our individual health or income. See The Growing Idolatry of Civil Government.

Continue reading →

Being the Church

July 31, 2011 By in Church, Courage, Great Commission, Kingdom of God Leave a comment

This short video brought tears to my eyes over my longing for authentic church to take root throughout our communities.

Some of us are beginning to find it, but it’s very very rare in an age when church is little more than a set of programs, performances, ministry teams, leadership structure, buildings, budgets and Sunday services centered around the vision and abilities of some gifted man.

As you watch, listen with your heart to what the Lord may want to say to you. All over the world, He is birthing in more and more people a longing to once again be the church. It takes courage and there are birth pangs, but trust me, it’s worth it!

By Kelly and Niki Tshibaka.

Abusive Church Leaders (Part 4) – Civil and Criminal Law

May 30, 2011 By in Abuse, Abusive Pastor, Church, Courage, Judgment, Pastor, Predatory Leaders, State 27 Comments
Abusive Church Leaders (Part 4) – Civil and Criminal Law

So you’ve tried to follow the procedure of 1 Tim. 5, as discussed in Part 3 of this series, by investigating and exposing church leaders who abused their positions of power and trust.

But what if you were rebuffed?

Or what if – despite public reprimand, confession and repentance – you reasonably fear that they may continue preying on others or the church is not providing restitution for the harm you’ve been bearing? Scripturally, do you have additional options?

More specifically, is it ever proper to seek help from the courts and secular authorities to deal with pastoral sexual abuse or churches which allowed it to happen? After all, doesn’t 1 Cor. 6 say we should not sue another brother?

Continue reading →

Abusive Church Leaders (Part 2) – How Should We React?

May 28, 2011 By in Abuse, Abusive Pastor, Christ Chapel, Church, Courage, Judgment, Pastor, Predatory Leaders, Sin 16 Comments

How should we react to an unrepentant pastor who’s used his position of trust and power to prey on women – often after turning to him for spiritual counsel and support during vulnerable times in their lives?

All the theory in the world is great. But one thing I’ve learned from experience is this: Those who want to help these women find justice and closure, and protect others, need an unflinching resolve to stand toe to toe against these predators.

Typically, a predatory pastor is not accustomed to being questioned or challenged by anyone. He often will try to deflect accountability either through intimidation or a charm offensive – or both! These men are master manipulators, and it takes a God-given strength of will to stand firm, force answers, stop the abuse, and expose their evil as a warning to others.

Continue reading →

A Warrior’s Heart

May 2, 2011 By in Courage, Gratitude, Virtue Leave a comment

I thank God for the young men and women who defend our nation, and who have dedicated themselves to the discipline and skills needed to plan and carry out dangerous missions like yesterday’s assault on Bin Laden deep in the heart of Pakistan.

May we never forget that it is God who creates the warrior’s heart: To protect the innocent and put virtue above self, and to thrill at hard things.

‘Though they often remain nameless and anonymous, may they ever be honored by a grateful nation.

“When the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” Proverbs 11:10

Lest We Forget

January 30, 2010 By in America, Courage Leave a comment

A fellow pilot, David Lytle, discovered a cassette tape in a small recorder he purchased for $3 at a flea market last week. It contained a recording made in 1978 of a few World War II bomber gunnery crew members who hadn’t seen each other in many years and were reminiscing about their experiences during the war. David mentioned the tape on a forum for other pilots that I frequent, and with everyone’s encouragement converted the recording to an MP3 file and posted it online.

Continue reading →

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 959 other followers