I may not appease too many with this article, including some friends. All I ask is that no matter where you are on the political spectrum that you read with the hope of finding common ground where there are divergent cultural and religious views. Christians should be thinking people, as is our history from sciences to art. When it comes to politics we run to the right or left. I suggest we do not always have to make that choice. As the photo presents, our President made a very polarizing and political statement. I am attempting to actually have a discussion that is a bit less rhetorical and more practical and from my perspective as an evangelical Christian.

Civil rights are already given to gays who want to marry in most states. I am not sure it is fair to exclude those rights in a free society such as ours. What does anyone have to gain by that? Domestic partnership with all the legal rights of marriage exist and perhaps is a worthy middle ground. Non-traditional views of family and marriage are en vogue, and yet some insist expanding the use of a word that really is reserved for faith-birthed traditional views of family. The state should preserve rights and protect all of us from intrusive or prejudicial treatment under the law. For the most part, we have accomplished this for race and gender, even though attitudes cannot be legislated. At least the law says that your race or gender or religious affiliation are invisible and protected.

As a person of faith, my belief as a Christian is that marriage is between one man and one woman. This comes from historical teaching out of the Bible that reaches further back than our great nation. The importance of rearing children and having an institution is practical and in the interest of the general welfare of all. People who are non-traditional and non-religious usually agree on this point. Time has changed the family experience in recent history. Some choose to raise children on their own. My family of origin was single parented for a period of time. Whether this style of family was by choice or not, we legally protect that family. From the message of my faith, orphans and widows are especially protected and valued. Vulnerable people need such protection.

For this reason, I believe that even though a gay couple should not marry in my religious view I am for the state and society in general protecting the children that may be part of that or any other family. Orphans should never be created. It is a worthy compromise to simply find a way to legally establish civil unions. However, why do some insist on using the traditional word “marriage” for such legal protection on the liberal left? And, why do my friends on the right insist on state-legislating the word marriage while saying their faith is the issue? Both are missing the boat in my opinion. It is easier to polarize people than synthesize solutions.

Here are some bullets-for-thought:

• The state does not (nor should not in our nation) determine my religious belief about marriage. So, why would it matter what they say? It matters if it oppresses. It matters if it excludes. It matters if it interferes.
• Liberals want to change what is traditional rather than define something “new” which in a pluralistic society is wrong on this issue. Come up with a new term or embrace the attempts of this with “civil unions” or “domestic partnerships”.
• Conservatives in some circles want a theocracy legislated about marriage. As a person of faith, I do not want the state to interfere with my beliefs. Period.
• Liberals would do well to appreciate the religious, historical, and practical existence of family. It is not just about choosing who to love, but being sure children and the vulnerable are protected under law. Selfishness is never a good selling point.
• Conservatives would do well to accept that the very small minority of people who might ask for these rights do less harm than the divorce rate of traditional families. Hypocrisy is true of us all. So, be more humble.
• Granting or protecting civil rights should be more important than a word. Emotions want us to define marriage a certain way. Emotions are warranted but not the whole picture for either side. It is not truly “progressive” to destroy an idea that in our society should still be allowed to thrive. It is not “conservative” to marginalize people when religious liberty is the fight.

I am wondering if anyone else out there is in the middle on this. This means you are neither for redefining the word marriage or denying rights to same sex couples.

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
For their defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.”
Proverbs 23:10-11 (NIV)

Those who are most vulnerable end up being taken advantage of without anyone to defend them. Or, so it seems. Justice is part of God’s character. When injustice is imposed on people, God sees this. In fact, it says he defends this. But, how?

If we as Christians are the hands and feet of Jesus, then surely we are part of this equation. We are the ones called to care for the “least of these” in our world and defend the orphan. Followers of Jesus represent the good news of redemption from sin which leads to peace with God. And, part of that good news is our heart for those who are defenseless without advocacy.

What is an ancient boundary stone? God marks value to people before they are even born. When we try to take the marker and invade the apparently defenseless ones, we invade on God’s territory. He set the markers there that say, “this one is of value!” When we ignore the plight of people we are numb to God’s heart for justice.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves:

• Do I see the value of people as God sees people?
• How can I in a practical way partner with God’s justice for those most vulnerable?
• If my boundary is being moved, do I trust that God is on my side? Will he fight for me?

Prayer:

Dear God, let me be one who never takes advantage of the needy. Like you, let me hear their cry and defend their cause. Let your justice and mercy be part of not only my speech, but part of my action. As I share the good news of peace with God through your son Jesus, let me also live as a person who defends who you defend.
AMEN.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

No, this post is not really about the TV show where those judges in chairs turn around after hearing  a blind audition. Will the singer look like his or her voice? The hook of this show is the idea that just on an individual’s voice they will judged. A baker, a mechanic, and nursing student compete. Some have families and are even middle aged. The voice of each contestant has the opportunity to win the prize of fame.

The voice of the shepherd calls his sheep to safety. Training ourselves to listen to the right voice is a life skill. A child will run to the voice of her mother. But, what we do not realize is that we have a voice. A mother knows the cry of her baby anywhere. When our voice cries, there is someone’s ear who is already tuned for us, like a mother to her baby. 

Even more than the Shepherd’s voice calling us is the idea that there is a spiritual language being prayed from within us by the Holy Spirit. This voice cries out to God to help our us in our weaknesses. When we do not know what to pray, prayer is already happening! Because of our new birthright in Christ, there is the support of our Helper who intercedes on our behalf, even when our voice is silent. The Spirit lends us His voice. And, apparently we are not always aware of this constant prayer.

The Voice that speaks and sings for us is one we may not even understand. Think about that, these “wordless groans” do not sound like a voice that prompts judges to turn their chairs. Like an instrumental melody the voice of the Spirit helps us in this way. To us, this “wordless groan” might be like jazz scatting. To heaven it is a detailed, custom fit, and loving prayer for our deepest weaknesses–our wounds, habits, and faults.

We love to quote Romans 8:28 about God working all things together for good. But, do we realize that the working of good is partly this helpful intercession? Do we embrace the fact that we really do not know what to pray at times and that God has that covered for us? The good working together here is that the grace of God not only is my hope in justifying me before a righteous judge. It is also hope that my daily life has supernatural help where I need it most.

My pride wants my voice to be what get’s me holier, healthier, and simply better. But, reality shows my ineptitude in prayer. This is hope! And, hope in things we see is not hope. I cannot fathom or define The Voice in me that prays for my weaknesses. It is part of the hope of being a child of God. To think that The Voice of his Spirit is there to help us in the daily grind, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not is simply amazing.

I am excited about teaching a 4-week community class at Rancho Community Church in Temecula, CA. It starts this Wednesday and runs from 6:30 to 8:00 PM (April 11, 18, 25 and May 2). The class is FREE. REGISTER

How to navigate the maze of social networking, video gaming, and online entertainment.

Bring your iPad, Laptop or Smart Phone to interact with the class live!

Consider the following situations:

A local school has police investigating a fake Facebook account where a teen threatens to hurt himself.  A college student jumps off a bridge, then his roommate faces jail time for webcasting his illicit encounter. An employer looks at a social networking site, then chooses to not hire a candidate based on pictures posted.

Social networking, video gaming, and our real lives all intersect with the smart phone in our pocket, our living room cable boxes, and our laptops.  Families need to be equipped to protect themselves and their children from the real threats of the “online” world in which we now live.

Key topics covered:

• Intro: A primer to online life in 2012.
• Online manners: what are they and how to have them!
• How to…
  • Protect your family from online threats.
  • Write an online “code of ethics” and live by them.
  • Use basic online tools to streamline your online time.
  • Leverage online activity for good — making a difference.
  • Keep Video Gaming, Cable, and Satellite TV in balance.
  • Help your family to make better choices online.
• What should I really be afraid about? (This might surprise you!).

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

One theological term is historically center in Evangelical circles: penal substitutionary atonement. The idea is that Jesus exchanged his life in order to satisfy the penalty of sin that I would have had to pay. Jesus could pay it because he lived without sin. He was not just divine, but fully human. So, the cross is where the debt of the lineage I inherited from Adam is ended and a wealth of the lineage of being a son of God inherits life. 

Many feel this is overemphasized. Why? Because we focus so much on this central issue to the degree that we forget the whole life of Jesus? All the other recorded actions, statements, and miracles performed in the gospels matter. Yes! In fact, they are what makes the substitutionary atonement the highest on the hierarchy of all the acts of atonement. It is right to know that his life as lived saves us. It is even more so to be sure of this because of his death.

The example of Jesus shows us that Christ walks into death as a servant-king, lowering himself from heaven to come to earth. Jesus stood up to the system of the world. Yes. But, instead of trying to shatter it and perform a coup he created a new system–the Kingdom of Heaven. When Jesus taught us, he did not give us trite answers and five-point sermon fill-ins. He challenged with questions. He words make listeners think. In fact, sometimes he simply frustrates every one of us–especially the most religious ones.

Good Friday remembers the suffering and the death of Jesus. It is literally seeing an innocent man executed for your crime. Barabus was supposed to be on that cross. We are Barabus. That injustice should be felt. The fact of our fallen nature being punished should be felt as well as God’s objection to sin. Only out of the darkness can light be seen. The first verse for a song I recently wrote says this:

The suffering on the cross was cruel, I’m told
Punishment for someone else’s crime
Three days in the tomb he laid there cold
But in the darkness his light came
In a moment history was changed

Paying the debt of sin was so important that it was put before social justice. In fact, there is no justice without the issue of our relationship with God being repaired and redeemed. When we are justified the ability to repair and redeem the ills of our surroundings come to view. Not only is it the impetus for the inner life to be holy, it is the only way I can truly love others. The paying of our debt is indeed central to our faith.

Happy Good Friday!

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 2:4 (New Living Translation)

Does God raise his voice at us? As kids, we all remember the terror of our parents raising their voice. It could even be, “get out of the street, a car is coming” and be only for the safety of a wayward kid playing in harms way. The child reacts like we do. Some of us are stunned, like deer in headlights. Others, we move right away. Each tends to forget the voice once the next play activity begins. But, we are rattled by the experience. Maybe it is a boss who raises his voice in frustration. The internal reaction, even if for a moment, feels like death. If yelling is repeated often, it tells us something about the relationship or circumstance. You are not safe.

We know God is a judge. One day, each of us will stand trial at the end of this life. So, perhaps it feels like every day we are in court. Is God really there raising his voice at us as we stumble along on the path? We have battle fatigue, but is that really God’s voice telling us we are messing up? It is not like he needs a reminder of who we really are. Every choice made is in his view. Measuring up to God’s standards proves us always lacking. I am not sure his goal is to shine a spot light on that fact, is it?

We attribute the voice of God to many things. But, I am not sure he ever needs to raise his voice. As parents, we clumsily attempt to form our children. Their safety and well being are primary concerns. We raise our voices. Sometimes, we have to. “Get out of the street!” But when yelling “take out the trash!” has the same heat and tone, we fail. I have had to apologize to my kids. If you have kids, I am sure you do as well.  Does God not need to do the same for us as his children? I think we all know that answer. No.

The most amazing thing is God’s kindness, generosity, and all the good things we call gace. Yes, we are wayward. But, God’s response is to treat us as adults, even when we choose to act like foolish children. He let’s us make that bad choice. His voice warns us. And, to bring us back to his fold, he applies kindness. It is the parent that instead of yelling from the kitchen window, enters into the danger of street where we are. He puts his arm around us and with kindness says, “lets move out of the street, son.”

Any voice that in anger yells and repels is not the voice of God. God came to our level. The judge of the universe sent Jesus, so he could in every possible way know the pain, hurt, abandonment, betrayal, and suffering that every person faces. He comes to us not to bash us back to the right path. He invites us to be with him. He is the path! Going to him makes us safe. Being with him makes us right. 

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Jesus)

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

The moment matters. What does it feel like to be lost in time? I remember as a kid those moments when time seemed to stand still. No wind, sound, or light could move it any faster. Cruising on a bicycle through suburban streets, into open fields, and enjoying apricot fruit freshly picked from nearby orchards captivated countless days. The wash that divided our housing tract growing up smelled awful, which made it all the more fun to explore. There were no cell phones tracking us with GPS. And, we could stay out until the street lamps began the process of warming up.

In the  San Jose Bay Area, the summer evening time may lower 20 degrees as the sun rests. This did not deter us. Even if you noticed each other shivering, the joy and adventure of these summer days distracted us from thinking of our own comfort. The skinned knee or  gravel stuck still in the palm of the hand from a fall were mere annoyances. Play meant you were in it, completely.

Such commitment is refreshing to recall. In life, as we lose our innocence with our choices and by exposure to the cruelties of our world. It is this kind of commitment we deeply long to recapture. Nothing has to be imagined anymore. With computer graphics, anything on film is possible, and the virtual world of video gaming and cyber sex sells us a life we can click to and fro with little effort.

Atrophy comes from apathy. The muscle of being in wonder shrivels because we practice not caring for others and neglect the child-forged dream in each of us. Children teach us that being in wonder is normal. They practice it all the time. And, we frown on them when they do not use their “inside voices” as they explain their passion for everything from baseball to Star Wars. “That’s nice, son.” We almost resent the enthusiasm.

Is there a way to be as committed as a child? I count on this. Jesus, obviously values how kids show commitment. We view our faith as a chore, like swallowing terrible cold medicine. It will make is better, but we don’t have to like it. The kind of wonder that is lost in moment does not notice the skinned knee or cold evening. There is so much in the moment. We sour because we know life is hard and if we have a good day, a day is coming soon that will surely spank us. So, why be so excited about today?

The childish feeling of riding my bike till dusk in the summer might be the most godly feeling I have ever experienced. Serving God surely should be like that. My worship of God should be like that. Being married, being a dad, and being a human should be like this. Daylight Savings Time, time clocks, and our over-scheduled world requires schooling by the joy of a child. Can I just be with God in this moment? The moment matters.

From the Circuit Riders to old-fashioned tent meetings the Great Frontier has shaped American Christianity. Homesteading brought a certain kind of independent people to the west where rules were being re-written. Pioneering meant faith would also be newly independent from European governance. So, today we have hundreds of Baptist denominations, with many independent churches of all stripes. In fact, the term “Baptist” was simply to differentiate those that immersed adults exclusively from everyone else in early America.

Our attitudes of revolution allowed us to run from European-birthed hierarchy and embrace new territory. Even in modern times, churches like the Anglicans here in America are severing ties to Europe and aligning to African leadership. Yes, theological as well as cultural differences caused some of these rifts. In fact, many left Europe as spiritual refugees, escaping persecution. This is part of our American story.

With all of this change in recent times, does our lack of connection to our church history and spiritual descendants make us free or does it potentially impoverish us? Or, does it do both? This is especially important for those of us who are from the 50-60 year-old Evangelical brand. We need to be self-aware of our Christian roots in order to see where it will lead us next, no matter how old or new our roots or branches are.

It is a formidable task to create one lasting institutions to fill the gap of all Christian history. One question is this: could it be that God’s intention is not for one group that the Spirit breathed through during one period of time become the standard for all of time? The Spirit is like the wind so the wind moves on while we create an edifice of sentimentality that keeps us in the past sometimes rather than in the present. Even worse, we are not even prepared for a future.

What is the value of knowing our spiritual roots? Does this free us or inhibit us?

This post is part of a blog initiative for Leadership Journal’s Conversations. This is a new site and I was invited with some others to contribute to the conversation.

There have been plenty of intense times of spiritual battle. I remember one encounter that was especially powerful. It is not often that specific prayers of spiritual battle are verified after the fact. Most of the time I have prayed against the devil, for protection of people, and when I was scared of the dark. My most intense time of spiritual warfare stands out because it was more than my own experience.  Others were sharing it. And, they were thousands of miles away.

I traveled to Chicago with my wife to interview with a church ministry in regards to a worship pastor position they were soon filling. Besides meeting hospitable midwesterners, experiencing fireflies, and eating authentic bratwurst, not much else from this trip was memorable. This season in my life included several interviews like this one.

I tossed and turned in bed. At first I thought it was the bratwurst influencing this deep pressure and emotional turmoil I felt. It soon became clear to me that I was supposed to get up and pray. A friend from my small group Bible study came to mind. It was as if I could almost see him in my mind.

There were no words heard in my mind, but I knew that my friend at that exact moment was in a spiritual battle and God chose to include me in the fight. I took note of that moment on the clock. With my wife sleeping in our hotel room bed near me, I got up and silently prayed. The few moments of prayer passed and I went back to sleep.

There was a moment when I wondered if it all was really the bratwurst. So, talking to my friend about the experience took some nerve. I asked him what happened at the actual time I woke and prayed for him. The timezone difference made it clear he was not in bed. His response amazed me.

My friend frequented a bookstore coffee shop in Northern California. He purposed to talk to people about his faith. He sat at a table and began a conversation with a man. My friend described something odd happening to him. He could not speak. Some force would not allow him to talk to this man. He said he knew it was a spiritual attack. From Chicago, I fought with my buddy in California.

The reality of spiritual warfare became much more real to both of us. In our small group Bible study, a friend experienced ritual sacrifices on a his property. In my circle of friends, marriages were under attack, and families were struggling as well. I received a gift to be included in the heavenly intervention of my friend’s attempt to share his faith. Looking for a fight? Spiritual warfare can find us, sometimes.

What is your most intense spiritual warfare experience?

Is religion really a bad word? I wrote about that in an article last year. (Why saying “I’m Not Religious” is a Cop Out!)  This video poem, “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” is powerful, creative and resonates deeply. I applaud the artistry. But, I think there is just something about semantics asking for more thought and discussion, which any good art should allow. I wrote this in June last year:

Religion is not cutting or whipping one’s self, living silently in a monastery, singing emotionally in a worship service. It is not the Inquisition, the wars of the Crusades, the failings of a Pope or local church pastor. It is not complicated and requiring of academic prowess or hours of serving in a church ministry program. In fact, it is not something a seminary owns rights or that one particular church can claim as their original thought.

What is it, then?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Being for Jesus does not mean I have to be against true religion. What does “religion” really mean? I think semantics are important. Hypocrisy gives religion a bad name. It feels great to rally when something emotionally feels right, but if we actually spend time to think beyond emotions perhaps a deeper truth is there. Critics are needed, and so are questions.

Here is my question in relation to this video: Can’t we be FOR something, and not AGAINST something?