I am Zimmerman. I am not Zimmerman. I am not Martin.

I believe that race was a big part of the events because I assume that George is a little bit like me. I don't think that he's racist. I don't think that he hates black people. But I think that he might be prejudiced just like me. The black men that I know (the ladies, too, but that's not who I'm talking about right now) are some of the friendliest most trustworthy people I know. It's black men that I don't know who make me nervous. When someone who I don't know who looks somewhat like Trayvon is walking toward me, my pulse quickens a little and my animal brain thinks that he must be up to no good and starts looking for an escape. The rest of me is ashamed of that gut reaction and my rational mind tries to view that person with love and treat him just like any other person. And the initial negative reactions become weaker and less frequent. But that little part of me still exists. There are people that I see as “The Other.”

A juror said that Zimmerman would have acted the same way if Martin was white. I doubt it. A young white man and a young black man raise different types of suspicion in different types of neighborhoods. The whole situation arose because Trayvon looked suspicious to George. I don't know what he was really thinking and feeling. But I'm not really talking about him. I'm talking about you and me and how we respond when faced with someone not of our tribe.

I wish that race wasn't an issue in this case. A person with a gun followed another person who was carrying no weapon. The first person ended up shooting and killing the second and received no punishment. That is messed up regardless of the races of the people involved. True, the second person might not have responded to being confronted on a dark and stormy night by a person with a gun in the calm, cool and collected way that you or I surely would have, but still. Something is wrong with the law when it's legal to chase down and kill a person who's just walking down the street. It is a little bit crazy that the prosecution had to try to prove that the defendant was a hateful racist. It turns out that an overzealous man with a need to be a hero can be just as deadly.

And race is certainly an issue in the aftermath of the trial. All the posts that I've seen on facebook pointing out what a horrible person Trayvon Martin was are by white males. He did drugs and liked guns? There's a picture of him with his middle fingers raised? And your point is? CNN is full of lies? I don't care. The press has the freedom to choose which stories to cover and how to report them. Why does your love for Fox News lead you to attack the character of a person who was tragically killed? If Martin was a white, gun loving alcoholic would you be posting the same things about him? Or would you be demanding that people show some respect for the deceased?

Are you prejudiced just like me and George?

Can you pause for a minute and examine your reaction?

What are you afraid of?

What can we say and do from now on to promote life rather than perpetuating violence and hatred?

Citizens of Heaven, Citizens of Earth: Party Politics

November was my first time voting in a national election. For a decade, I chose not to vote – partly for the same reason that many people my age choose not to vote – I didn't want to put my support behind the lesser of two poor choices (not “two evils” because I don't want to hastily label people or groups as “evil”). But I also had other reasons for not voting.

For one, my Bible based values make me too conservative for Republicans and too liberal for Democrats.

Also, I chose not to vote because voting is a poor way to try to change society. Christians should try to change our world from the inside out by changing people's hearts, not by passing laws and policies that attempt to force an outward change of behavior.

I still believe that voting is the least important part of Christian involvement in society. But I decided to vote this year because maybe it's better than not voting. I still don't agree that it's a Christian's duty to vote, but for now I believe that it is an acceptable way to influence society in a little tiny itty bitty way.

I didn't vote for Barak Obama.

I'm not sad about him continuing as President.

The way some people responded to news of his re-election, on facebook and in churches, you would have thought it was the end of the world. A harbinger of the downfall of America. A sign that this nation under God has become godless. The tragic confirmation that the Bible no longer has the special place in America that it once had.

For me, this election season showed that, when it comes to politics, the church is just as divided and vicious as the rest of the country.

Rachel Held Evans wrote on her blog on the day of the inauguration, “There is no place for followers of Jesus to be consumed with either hate or adoration. Jesus teaches us to love even our enemies, to bless and not curse, to reserve our adoration for God alone, and to humble ourselves in the face of power. Responding to today’s events with either despair or unbridled glee communicates to the world that our trust is in the government, not in Christ.” (disclaimer: this quote does not imply that I endorse, recommend or agree with everything that she has ever written.)

In the months leading up to the election, pastors and passionate Bible-believers gave guidance to fellow Christians on how to vote. Of course they would never tell you who to vote for (wink). They would just suggest some key biblical values that should guide your decisions and then leave it up to you (with the implication that if you love Jesus and believe in the Bible you'll vote Republican).

As I listened to sermons online just before and after the election, I imagined two Democrats sitting in the audience. One is a believer and maybe he has attended this particular church for a year or so, or maybe he's new to town and this is his first time there. The other is not a believer and she decided to visit a church this week. The preacher feigns neutrality, but covertly encourages the congregation to vote Republican, or he mourns the re-election of President Obama. Our Democrats sit through the service uncomfortably, and as it ends they leave as quickly as they can, both deciding never to step foot in that church again. The one who is not a believer has had her suspicions about Christians confirmed – they're narrow minded and have no compassion for people who aren't just like them. The Christian decides to find another church where he wont be made to feel like a faithless degenerate just because he votes based on biblical values that this preacher chose to ignore.

These two imaginary Democrats were not convicted by the truth of the Word of God. They were offended by the divisive nature of the worldly political system that too many Christians have bought into.

As Christians who serve Jesus as king, our politics should not be right in line with those of Republicans or Democrats. The priorities of this world are upside down and backwards when compared to the priorities of the kingdom of heaven, so how can we wholeheartedly support and join ourselves to a man made political agenda (even if the party we are supporting does mention “God” a whole bunch of times in their platform)?

We must worship the King of kings by living lives of sacrifice, instead of bowing to human power structures. We must not be conformed to the patterns of American politics, but should line up more and more with God's will by constantly reminding ourselves of who Jesus is and what he has done.

Our crucified Messiah reigns in the earth through us, his body, his people who are to be a picture of the new creation and a means of it breaking into this present age, bringing life and freedom to everyone around us. Christian communities are to be people in whom heaven joins earth and where God's will is done on earth as in heaven.

For this to happen we have to surrender our need to have our beliefs validated by society. We have to sacrifice our pride and our desire to be seen as right.

We are to be salt and light, influencing our culture by living lives of loving humility. Stretching the metaphors to the breaking point – too much salt ruins the food, and too much light is blinding instead of illuminating. Christianity is great when Christians serve. We fall apart when we seek to wield earthly power and call it service.

Our power is found in the Holy Spirit, not in weapons or legislation. Our power is tied up with prayer and martyrdom – being witnesses.

Political parties should not divide Christians. Rather Christians should act as a bridge between those on opposite sides of the political spectrum. When it comes to interpersonal, political and international conflicts, we who know the Creator and who follow the Prince of Peace should be ministers of reconciliation who find creative ways to bring peace. At the very least we should not be taking sides, making enemies and intensifying the conflict.

Christians ought to show respect to those in authority. When it comes to “like”-ing and “share”-ing facebook posts that mock our leaders or the beliefs of the other half of America, we should think twice and then DON'T DO IT. On facebook and in our face-to-face conversations we need to remember the (Ephesians) 4:29 Rule: build up don't tear down.

Our everyday social and economic choices are political and religious actions. Biblical values should guide everything we do and say. Perhaps we should live and vote according to the values of justice, mercy, humility before God, and love even for enemies. Maybe these values can unite us in obedience to our true King.

May we follow the example of He who gave up his power and became a servant. May we not demand our own rights, but seek justice for others. May we give up our longing for our own comfort and security and take up our duty as servants and peacemakers.

Verse-jacked proof-texts for this post:
Ex 20:2-4, Lev 19:18, Num 22:28-30, Deut 6:5, Ps 2, Dan 2:44, Micah 6:8, Matt 5:5,7,9,13-16, 7:12, Mark 10:42-45, 15:26, Luke 6:27, John 13:13-15, Acts 1:8, Rom 12:1,2,17,18, 1 Cor 1:10, 25, 2 Cor 5:17-19, Philippians 2:2-15, Col 4:5-6, 1 Tim 2:1,2, James 1:27, 1 Pet 3:8-17...

I was driving home from the library, just minding my own business. I stopped at a red light and innocently looked in the rear view mirror. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In the car behind me, there he was. The villain from those action adventure movies. Squinty eyes and sunken cheeks. He was talking on a cell phone and had a cigarette dangling from his tight lipped mouth. I couldn’t hear him, but I’m sure he had a British accent. Who knows what sinister plot he was discussing as he sat behind me in his black car? Oh sure, he talks nice, but the moment you leave he will call his right hand man to put the next step of the evil plan into action.

I have a sneaking suspicion that his evil plot involves corn syrup and kitty litter. Last night (this morning) an attempt was made to sweep up the gray mass, but it had hardened into syrup litter concrete. Even a shovel was brought into the effort, but it proved useless. Oh, what havoc might be raised if this lethal formula fell into the wrong hands! No kitten or stockroom floor would be safe!

Merry Christmas

"So, what are you getting your fiancee for Christmas?" they ask.
I reply, "Nothing."

I handed the woman her bag of groceries, and she said to me, "Merry Christmas."
I smile and nod. Usually the hundreds of customers a day that have been telling me "Merry Christmas" walk away right after saying it. Sometimes they stare at me with a big goofy smile, waiting for my reply. So I am forced to say, "Thanks" or maybe even, "And you too", sometimes I just respond, "Have a nice day."
Well this woman repeated a little bit louder, "Merry Christmas."
So I spewed out, "Thanks."
I guess she didn't like my reply, because she went on to say, "Happy Holidays. Is that better?"
I continue wearing my great big smile and say, "Actually I don't celebrate any holidays in December."
"Oh, well whenever you do celebrate a holiday, I hope you enjoy yourself."
Big smile and slight laugh, "Thank you." I appreciate what the woman was trying to do. I know she was just trying to be nice. I wasn't offended and I was trying not to offend her.

Later another woman handed me a card to scan so that a school would get some money. The school was Beth Torah Preschool, so I assumed she is Jewish. I asked her, "Do you celebrate Christmas?"
She waited a few seconds and looked a little bit scared. I understand the feeling, but I'll get to that later. She answered, "No."
"What do you say when people tell you Merry Christmas?"
"Well... I say thank you." Her voice went up at the end like she was asking a question. "Or I say, Same to you."
I told her about my encounter with the persistant Merry Christmaser.
When her order was finished she told me Happy Chanukkah.

I don't have a problem with Chanukkah. I just don't celebrate it. However I do have a problem with Christmas. Why? I'm sure some of you already know, but do a little study on the origins of Christmas and it's symbols and traditions, etc. it's pretty much pagan. You may not have known this. But there are a lot of Christians who do, yet they make excuses because they like the idea of Christmas.

"It's good to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and even though He wasn't born on December 25, that's as good a day as any to celebrate it."
Well actually, celebrating Jesus' isn't really that great. There is no mention of anyone doing it until that emporer wanted a Christian version of his sun god's birthday or something like that.
And even if it were important to celebrate Jesus' birthday, there's a much better time to do it than Dec 25. Jesus was most likely born in the fall. We know this because of the time John the Babtist's dad would have been serving in the temple, and also because of when the shepherds would or would not have been out in the fields. If Jesus, who compared himself to the Temple, who was and is God's presence dwelling among us, who is the manna from heaven, was born during autumn in a place where they keep animals; then what better time to celebrate his birth than the biblical festival in autumn that celebrates God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, the festival on which Solomon's Temple was dedicated, the festival which celebrate's God dwelling among his people, its name even means dwelling, its name also means a place where they keep animals, Sukkot, a.k.a. Feast of Tabernacles.

Yet many people feel they have to keep defending Chrismas. Pop Christianity has gotten over the whole X-mas thing. Now the big deal is "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays." But why not include the Jews and African Americans? Does all of America have to say "Christ" at least once a year in order for Christianity to feel safe and secure? But look, even non-Christians are celebrating "Christmas." Christmas is a cultural holiday. Christians and non-Christians generally celebrate Christmas in exactly the same way. The only difference is Christians might read Luke 2, and have little idols of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.

Another excuse used in defending Christmas (and Easter) is that it's a great time to witness about Jesus.

If you want to feel like an alien and a stranger on the earth, if you want to feel like a peculiar person, if you want to feel alientated, try NOT celebrating Christmas, try NOT saying "Merry Christmas."

I'm good at avoiding confrontation in person. But if you're the type of person who likes the face to face stuff, being a non-Christmasite in a country full of Christmasing sinners provides plenty of witnessing opportunity.

Or you could just be a good Americhristian and put down your Bible and pick up the Constitution and fight for your right to be just like everybody else.

review

I saw "The Passion of the Rings Junior" last night. It was enjoyable. I liked the bloodless battle scenes, the focus was on the action and the characters instead of on gore. I never really got into the Narnia books growing up. For a few years I've been thinking about going back and reading them. I still don't have the motivation to read them. I'm sure I will someday though.

On a different note. Here's a Psalm that demonstrates God's forgiveness before "Christ's incarnation." God has always given grace and mercy, and desired faith and repentance.


Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David.
1
Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

2
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3
When I refused to confess my sin,
I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.

4
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Interlude
5
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Interlude
6
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

Interlude
8
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

9
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."

10
Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

11
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

from: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Unchurch

I just read this Real Live Preacher article. I like reading stuff like that. I've thought like that for half of my life now. It's why I always wanted to be a missionary and not a "pastor." Olive Tree, my pro-Torah congregation, is less like church a little bit more like RLP describes. No one gets paid, everybody gets to share what they learned from scripture, people find us in mysterious ways. And being part of Chi Alpha one summer led by Jeremiah Byous was like candy, it was so personal and unforced. I want to start one of those intentional group of friends gathering around scripture when I move back to Colorado. I've been waiting half my life.

A Meditation

I am but dust and ashes.
I am created in the image of God.
My life is but a breath.
I am in this moment for a Divine purpose.
The universe was created for my sake.
I was created to serve my creator.

Thanks & giving

Thanksgiving

I worked Thanksgiving day. A homeless man came in and asked for a manager. When a manager came over, the man loudly proclaimed, "I'm homeless, and I want you to give me something for free."

Now let me put this in perspective for you. First, this was Thanksgiving day. If there is ever a day on which a homeless man can find a free meal, it's Thanksgiving. School's, churches, companies, and individuals have been collecting and donating food and money all month long so that poor and homeless people can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Second, I work at Central Market. A great company to work for, very generous and community oriented. But it's a place of business, not a charity. Again, Central Market, not your average grocery store. We sell organic, imported, and specialty foods. You can't even buy a plain old can of coke, but we have bottled Coke's from Mexico for $1.50 each. In all of Dallas, this man could not find a charity giving out free thanksgiving meals, so he resorts to coming to the fancy part of town, the regular grocery store accross the street is not good enough so he goes to the fancy grocery store. Third, this guy demanded something free. He wasn't asking. It was as if he felt that Central Market owed him some food.

A customer overheard the demand. She gathered a bag of her very own groceries and handed them to the man. "Here you go," She proclaimed, "Happy Thanksgiving and GOD... BLESS... YOU."

Hey, Left Hand, look at Right Hand.

Giving

And we're on the downhill race to the next big day. (fyi: I don't celebrate Christmas.) I think generosity is what is meant by "the spirit of christmas." Why do people have to give people presents that they don't even want just because it's the time that they're supposed to give presents? Sometimes in December there aren't a bunch of things I want. Sometimes in May there is something I want. Why don't you give me a present in May? I would rather give someone something they want to get than give something I want to give. I've gotten so many presents that the giver wanted to give and I have to say thanks for something I would actually rather not have. And I realize that it truly is better to give than to recieve. Do I give God what He wants to recieve or what I want to give?

Thanks

You might pray before you eat. Jews generally say a blessing before and after they eat. It says in Deuteronomy 8:10, When you have eaten and are satisfied you shall bless the Lord. Food is not blessed. They don't pray that they survive the meal, or that the food would do it's job and nourish their bodies (sometimes that dang food doesn't realize it needs to do some nourishing). They bless the Lord for having created and provided the food.

This rich guy threw a big party. He invited a bunch of people to his mansion. There was all kinds of food and entertainment. The guests arrived and couldn't stop thanking their host for inviting them to such an amazing party. As it got late into the night, the host announced that each guest had a room prepared and the party would continue the next day. This went on for weeks and months. The guests ate and played and just partied. Then one day the rich host announced that they all had to leave. The party was over. As the guests left they all complained about the host. Who does he think he is kicking us all out? I was just starting to have fun. He could have let us stay one more day.

Thank God for what he gave back then. Thank God for what he's been doing.

Action Pictures

A mom leaves the register to run to the cold drinks section and get an Arizona tea. The baby girl in the shopping cart (they call 'em "buggies" down here - shopping carts, not babies) starts crying. Her crying is a sort of tear filled series of alternating screams and gasps for air.

This girl was terrified. Her Source of security, comfort, sustainance, her Everything, Mom, had disappeared. Where did She go? When will She come back? Will She ever come back? How long will I be alone surrounded by all these strange people? How will I eat? Where will I sleep? Will my diaper ever be changed again?

As I studied grief in some of my counseling classes, I had this idea that maybe babies, children, and adults all mourn the same things, though not the same things. A child cries when he loses a toy. An adult cries when he loses a job. Equally tragic from different perspectives.

What about grief from the Divine perspective? Why did Jesus weep?

The next day. A pedestrian reaches on top of an SUV that is backing out of a parking space and grabs a cup of coffee. He reaches in through the window and hands it to the driver. The SUV drives away and the man walks into the store.

I see acts of kindness, rudeness and neglect every day. What leads us to choose one over the other?

On another day the man might have walked on by pretending that he didn't even see the cup on the roof. Or on anoter day he might have found someone and pointed out the driver's dumb mistake.

Hang up the phone, be patient, open your eyes. No man is an island.

rize

19:32
"You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old. Fear your God; I am the Lord.

Did you know that verse was in the Bible? When was the last time you heard somebody preach about rising in the presence of the elderly? Does this commandment not apply to you because it's in the middle of a bunch of dumb Old Testament laws that don't matter anymore, even though in the same chapter verse 18 contains the command "Love your neighbor as yourself"? Did Paul or Jesus ever say, "it's okay to stay seated in the presence of the elderly and to tell jokes about them and make fun of their infirmities."? Is this one of those "ceremonial laws" that Calvin said we don't have to obey? Maybe it's just a cultural commandment and standing up had some special significance for Jews.

Maybe it does in our culture too. Watch one of those court tv shows. When the judge enters you hear "all rise". When the honored bride walks down the aisle everyone stands. Standing is an act of respect even in our culture. Sitting all relaxed and comfortable sends another message.

Old people may be hard of hearing. They may walk bent over. They may be hard to understand. They may tell strange long stories. But why do we really mock old people in our society? We love youth. If only we could gain wisdom from the elderly. They may not be fast and quick and strong. But maybe we can learn something.

And notice the last part of the verse. Respect for senior citizens is tied to and parallels respect for God.

What if honoring the aged is not ceremonial or cultural? What if it really is a moral issue?