Alexithymia Antithesis

Is socialism the Christian thing to do?

Right now, our leaders are looking to put together a bill that would create a universal health care system that would be run by the government so that everyone would have access to health care.  It seems this may be the first step towards a more socialistic approach.  As a result of the health care system taxes would be raised to help pay for this system.  I can see the benefits of this system for many people.  However, should we be for it?  Should Christians be for it?

God's call to his people has been to take care of the orphans, widows, the poor, the needy.  Isn't socialism a Christian call to take care of people?  Why shouldn't we pay more in taxes so that these people may be helped as God commanded?  In Acts 2, it talks of people worshipping and breaking bread together, meeting the needs of others by selling their possessions and goods, and having everything together.  Isn't this what socialism is?  Isn't this God's call?  Shouldn't we be supporting the government's move to take care of these people that God has called us to take care of?  In answering this question, I am going to give two reasons why government socialism isn't a Christian solution.

Earlier this week, I referenced an article talking about Denmark as the happiest nation and asked the question if this is what we should be seeking.  The Danes pay high taxes so everyone has health care and so that their drug problems can be dealt with.  High taxes instituted by the government are taken from their checks to support this system.  The Danes seem to agree with the taxes but they are used to having the money taken out of their checks.  Over time, they just learn how much they are going to receive each week and live their lives accordingly.  As for me, my taxes are not as high but I also choose to set aside money for retirement and for health benefits for my family.  While the latter are choices I make, I also have gotten used to my paycheck amount and I don't even think about the money to help my own family.  Because it is paid before the money hits my account, I pay more attention to the amount I received than I do the amount that was taken out. 

On the flip side, whatever money I choose to tithe or give to charities, missionaries, organizations, etc is what I gave AFTER I have received my check.  To give to these is a choice and a sacrifice.  I am choosing to give to others out of what I have left, not out of what has already been taken from me.  A vital part of God's calling to take care of others is that it is a choice and a sacrifice to do so.  For the Danes, it isn't a choice or a sacrifice.  It is something that is done and they never have to make a decision out of their own free will and hearts to help.  Charitable contributions in Denmark are very low.  They don't feel they have to because people are being taken care of and it is not a choice they often have to make to help people.  What is more sacrificial - to have something taken from you and given to others or to make a choice and a sacrifice to give what you have to help someone else?  Part of God's calling in taking care of others is for it to be a choice, to involve sacrifice, and to give of ourselves so that we might have the privilege as a body of reaching out to others.  Most Danes probably don't think twice about it and don't often choose to give out of choice.  As part of God's plan, helping others involves a choice and a sacrifice that we might impact as well as be impacted by our actions.

For many who believe in the socialist system, helping people meet their needs is the end in itself.  If meeting the physical or financial needs is all that we need to do, then we miss out on the other part of God's plan in giving to others.  When the Danes have their money taken from them in the form of taxes, a government program is set up to provide health care and programs to help people.  Their needs are met.  Take the example of someone who lost their job.  That person could go stand in line at unemployment, fill out some forms, and get some of the money they need.  On the other hand, that same person may have a financial need and have an anonymous donor place a check in their mailbox with a note saying "Felt like you needed this and I wanted to give" or have friends take up a collection that meets their need.  In these scenarios, which person has had the greater impact on their lives by their need being met - the government check or the friends meeting the need? 

And that's the other part of the equation - community.  God didn't ask us to take care of the poor and widows so that they have food, clothing, shelter (and health care), etc.  He did it so that there may be relationship in community, in love, as we reach out to one another.  A Dane may give of his taxes but may never meet a homeless person, serve a meal, come alongside, help out at a shelter, or reach out to someone struggling with drugs because all of that may have been done for him.  God's call to take care of others wasn't given to a politician, government, or political system.  It was given to his people.  Why?  Because it was going to take more than finances to meet the needs.  It was going to take love.  And that is something government can never give.  Meeting the needs of others involves more than just the money for the government to take care of people.  It involves choice, sacrifice, love, and community.  If we miss out on all that God is requiring of us, then socialism will be a second hand gospel in which we rely on someone else to do what he called us to do.

We are very individualistic here in America.  It's about me, my dream, my needs.  I am very guilty of this.  To be fair, Europe does community much better in their daily lives.  And despite our lack of socialist policies to help others, we may actually be more caring and giving than those in Denmark because we give out of choice, sacrifice, and compassion (is it really compassion if there is no sacrifice?).  However, we need to do a better job as Christians.  Where we have failed, government has stepped in and taken over.  As we move towards socialism in this country, may it stir us to be more of a community to those around us and reach out in love to meet others where they are.  I am very uncomfortable in doing this and admit this is a huge challenge to me.  But pass or fail, government meeting the needs of others will always be a failure if love, choice, sacrifice, and community are not part of it.

Travel as a Political Act

I just started reading a book called Travel as a Political Act.  The book is about traveling to broaden your horizons about other cultures and people so that the way we view life can be seen through the eyes of others and not just the cultural ideology of America.  Such things like Bulgarians and Moroccans have their own dream and it's different than the American dream.  Minimum wage is is more than many people make an entire day in many parts of the world.  And many countries are ok with higher taxes to help others with health care and homelessness.

While I don't always agree with the viewpoints in the book, I read it with an open mind and with a desire to at least understand a different perspective.  I say this as someone who is very opinionated, believes I am often right in my view, and comes across as very serious and maybe even obnoxious.  There is something more than just that side of me.  I also say this as someone who enjoys experiences and learning in my travels as opposed to just seeing all the sights.  From my trips to Europe, my most vivid memories are of adventures, lessons learned, and people I have met.  I've seen the Eiffel Tower, the Prado, Anne Frank's house, various castles, museums, and monuments.  I don't have many memories of those places though I do have many pictures. 

However, I can tell you stories of wandering upon a nude beach in Portugal, a Lebanese girl I met at McDonald's in Paris, hanging out with new friends and a local Italian at a small beach village in Italy, getting locked out of my hotel after going to a night club in Florence and how I managed to find a place to sleep for the night, spending the day with a translator named Dema, a Russian kid, and an Estonian kid in Estonia and what I learned from that experience.  I can tell you what I learned about myself while trying to find our hotel in Madrid, how two different people can see the same museum and each take away something different from the experience, what taking the Metro to Notre Dame taught be about communication.  It's from these experiences and people that my view of the world and how I see myself have been forever changed.

I remember my first trip to Estonia in 1995.  I had never been out of the country until then.  When I got there, I was fascinated with the people and the language.  I spent 3 hours on a bus trip trying to learn some words and phrases.  I ordered food from a vendor on the street with my basic Estonian.  I loved getting to know our translators.  I wanted to learn about Estonian history, culture, and food.  I don't know where all of that came from.  I am a quiet, shy kid but that trip helped me discover a passion I never knew I had.  Year later, I still have that passion and believe that is has helped shape and changed me.

While I don't agree with the politics and perspectives of everyone I meet, I admit that I am a different person because of it.  Sometimes I think I have no passion or dreams.  And then I remember my experiences and adventures from traveling and know that these are gifts God gave to me.  I believe everyone should be open to new experiences and people when they travel.  It will make us better citizens of the world as a result. 

Just another day

Same as most other days.  Sure, we did take Landon for his two month check up and to get his shots.  However, I still got up, got ready, went to work, went through my same old usual routine.  Spent some time on line looking at stuff.  Played with Landon, ate dinner late, and took Chase for a walk.  Other than the "played with Landon" part, that has pretty much been my life for the past few years.

There were a couple of different things today.  Landon going to the doctor was one of them.  I did run some errands at lunch today.  Been really into investments and retirement planning lately so did some of that today.  At Wal Mart, I had to pick up a few things today and it was really crowded.  People were in the way when I was looking for stuff.  One lady even stopped in the middle of a narrow aisle in the middle of the store so she could text, ignoring the people stuck behind her.  I just wanted to get my stuff and get out of there.  While trying to find everything I needed, I saw a few elderly people shopping.  And as soon as I saw them, my attitude changed, even if just for a moment.  My heart is always softened by and drawn to elderly people (as long as they are not 'crotchety').  There is a maturity, wisdom, and sense of innocence that I am just drawn to.

I have always thought I am a bit of an old soul.  I am 33, work in IT, know my way around technology.  Yet I am turned off by the overuse of cell phones, iPods, video games, and all the other gadgets and gizmo's.  I even have all those things but don't spend a lot of time using any of them.  I prefer life the way it used to be with the values that mattered.  I want my kids to grow up like I did growing up in the 80s.  I want them to respect their elders, play outside for fun, and make family and our time together their main source of entertainment.  I am turned off by most of the stuff I see on TV and will have no problem given up watching a lot of it as Landon gets older.  I love stories about relationships and fun adventures.  I guess it is these things that I seem to have in common with the elderly that makes me drawn to them.  They seem to fit more of my old fashioned soul.

I called a sports radio show today in Columbia, SC.  For those of you that are familiar with it, it was 107.5 The Game.  They were broadcasting live from a business owned by a couple of my friends from college.  So I called in to say hello to them and threw in a question on the upcoming football season for discussion.  Call it my attempt to reach back into my past.  I miss that part of it.  I miss the things I did, the friends I had, the things I was involved in, and the person I was.  I have been getting back in touch with people from my past lately.  And it brings me back to those places in my life when I knew them.

I took Chase for a walk and left Kristen and Landon at home tonight since Landon was a little fussy.  Today was Chase's birthday so I had to reward him and let him have some fun.  While taking Chase for a walk, I was listening to my iPod (walks and airplanes are about the only time I ever listen to it) and just thinking about my life.  The song "It's the Only One You've Got" by 3 Doors Down came on and it's one of my favorite songs.  I can never help but be moved when I listed to it.  The lyrics are awesome but it talks about the past, the scars, the mistakes, being afraid to live life, and just the encouragement to live life like it's the only one we've got.  The lyrics are so powerful and out of the many, many times I have listened to it, I am almost always moved to tears when I hear it.  It's my encouragement to live life despite my past, my fears, and living it like I know there is more to life than this.  I also heard "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2.  If you have never really listened to the last verse of this song, here they are:

"You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains, carried the cross of my shame.  You know I believe it..but I still haven't found, what I'm looking for."

Those two songs sum up my life really.  Broken past, fears, afraid to live my life, a faith in Jesus, yet still don't know what I am looking for.  All of this started with a trip to Wal Mart, a call in to a radio station, and a walk with the dog.

I have a family now, a wife that I love (but probably not enough) and a son that I adore. I have a job that I could do for many years but never really be content doing it.  I have regrets about the person I have lost despite how much I have grown.  My soul sometimes feels empty, wanting to live for more than just this life I have.  I want to show my son what matters and show him what real life is.  Yet I hide behind my walls of maybe and never's, not knowing how to live this life like it's the only one I've got as I still haven't found what I am looking for. 

Today, like all other days, was just another day.  And that's the problem.

A radical, ideological 'me'

I always write these posts late at night.  It's when I seem to reflect the most about my life.  I go deep into my thoughts, feelings, and emotions and find things that just aren't there during the rest of my day.  I end up seeing things about myself and figuring out what the 'ideal me' looks like.  This encompasses all aspects of my life - relationships, marriage, work, future, father, and the person I really want to be.  I feel like I have a lot of great ideas and thoughts about how I want to live life and what I want to be.  And this radical, ideal me comes to life late at night in my thoughts.

The problem with this is that life happens.  It is so easy to get caught up in the routine of my day - getting ready in the mornings, work, coming home, eating dinner, doing the same things every night.  I live by patterns and routine schedules.  Yet, when I go to sleep at night, this is not the 'me' that I really want to be.  If I pay attention, I get reminders of this every day.  Taking a walk outside and opening my eyes to look at the trees, sky, and world around me remind me that there is much more that I want out of life than just this day-to-day life of working, eating, and sleeping.  An article I read triggers the passion and brings longings inside of me about what I really want to do and who I want to be.  A conversation with a friend or even catching up with old friends on facebook remind me of what matters as I look at the direction other people are going in their lives and the purpose with which they live.  I only wish I could list all the thoughts I have when I am quiet at night.

I want to make an effort to reach out more and care about people.  To invest in relationships in which there is some risk and vulnerability involved.  I want to find a church that is about community and real relationships in which people actually care about and know one another.  I want to share my dreams, fears, insecurities, and failures with a select few so that I am not holding back anything inside of me.  I want to explore some of my hurts and hang ups and find out what makes me tick and why I do the things I do.  I want to know what it is deep inside me that I really need and want.  I want to live my life doing the things that are my passion.  I want to discover what those passions really are and discover the full extent of who I am.  I want to live a life of faith in which I actually live out my faith.  I want real relationships with people that I can count on and give all of myself to.  I want to be able to live out these ideas and visions of who I want to be and be an example to my son and wife.  I want to have spontaneous moments in my life in which there is confidence and faith that things will be ok if I really trust God.  I want to move to a part of the world I have never lived in and find true community with people that understand me and who I am and how I want to live.  I want to be willing to take a chance to do any or all of these things.  But I can't.

A writer.   A baseball player.  An international traveler.  A missionary.  A travel guide.  A rock star.  An adventurer in life.  A real person who is honest, real, vulnerable and has lifelong, passionate friendships.  A father and husband that lead his family and have his son and wife look up to.  All these things I want to be.

That isn't me.  I am very responsible and logical about life.  I take most things seriously and am careful to analyze and plan most of my decisions, actions, and words.  I act on my feelings and emotions at times but rarely to the point where there are ever serious consequences.  Even then, my first instinct is to think first and then react.  I live by a budget and save for retirement.  I think things should go the way they are supposed to and people should act responsibly and with proper behavior.  I live in a world where things outside of my box rattle me a little.  Routines and patterns are a way of life for me and I could do the same things every day and be ok with it.  I like things to be safe and somewhat in control.  I prefer time alone rather than being around a lot of other people.  However, this is not the abundant life that Jesus promised.  Yet this is the me that I have been for years and that I will always be.  It doesn't fit the radical, ideological me.  I talk about the ideological me on here, with friends, and on boards and forums because I feel like it keeps these ideas, and me, alive.

I wrestle with these things.  And if I could just live my life with the passion and fervor I have late at night alone with my thoughts, life would be the adventure I am looking for.  Alone at night, I could save the world and live the life I always wanted.  Yet every day I battle the me that I have always been and hardly take time during the day to try and change that life.  During the day, I am too caught up in my routines and the patterns of my day.  I am too comfortable with my ways and who I am to change.  I am not sure I know how.  And as my son will be born any day now, I think about the dad I want to be and the life I want to show him.  I just have to figure out how to be the person I want to become.  I don't know and I don't have the answers.  But until that time comes, I want to keep these ideas, passions, and ideological me alive in any way I can.

It seems that I have a theme running through my life as I reflect on my experiences and thoughts over the last few years or so.  Unfulfilled yet comfortable and not knowing how to change either one.  I recognize this.  And I don't have any more ideas on how to change things than when I first talked and wrote about this months ago.  Any suggestions would be welcomed as to how to deal with the struggle between 'me' and 'ideal me'.

Things to Do

Well the first in this list would be "not freak out."  I have spent some time reading and thinking about those first few days as a dad.  There are the feedings, crying, changing diapers, exhaustion, health of baby and mom, chores, and so much more.  Just thinking and reading about it all really is overwhelming.  I don't know how parents find the strength to make it through.  And yet they do.  On top of the "turning-my-world-upside-down-and-freaking-out-about-this-new-baby" thoughts, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to do and how I want to be.  From the most important parts of raising a child to the smallest, minute details.  So as I take a moment to distract myself from this impending, wonderful, overwhelming, exciting, scary, and loving event, I have a list of things I want to do as a dad (in no particular order):

• teach my son about God.  Live my life in a way that helps him see God in life
• love my wife to help model what a good, loving relationships looks like
• talk to my son.  Even at an early age, I want to share my thoughts, fears, and what happened in my day
• make an effort to help more around the house with chores
• get my spiritual life together and spend more time with God
• watch less TV as I don't want this to be a source of our family's entertainment
• plan trips for my family as I want my son to see the rest of the world
• start to live out the ideals that are so important to me.  Put faith and values into action
• spend time every day playing with and talking to my son
• pray together as a family, even at an early age
• learn to ask my kids "what can I help you with?" when they make a fuss or need attention (thanks Adam - I bet you never even knew what an impression that made on me when I heard you do that with your girls)
• teach lessons about right and wrong by sharing the reasons behind it.  Share my own mistakes
• end every day by telling my son "I love you" so that he knows it is ok to hear these words from his dad
• practice giving and seeking forgiveness, grace, mercy
• pray for my family and give each day of their lives to God
• do my best to learn/teach my son another language

This list isn't even close to being complete.  And I know this is a list that is really specific for me.  I probably need to read this every day.  I know I am going to fall short and mess up at times.  However, this is the type of parent I want to be.  And I am sure there are going to be quite a few things that I add to this. 

I can't put into words all the emotions I am feeling.  We are 3 weeks away from the due date and I am sure every father has gone through what I am going through.  I am interested in how all of this will change me.  And I will be honest and say there are things about this I am absolutely not looking forward to. 

It's late and as usual my mind is analyzing, contemplating, and thinking.  It's also when my emotions are at their peak as well.  There is a lot I want to accomplish.  There is a lot I want to be.  And there is a lot of change that will happen through all of this.  There are a lot of things I want to do and be.  The list is only beginning.

Life, Relationships, Struggles, Faith

Over the last few days, I have had a number of thoughts about my life.  Some triggered by things that have happened and some that seemed to come from nowhere at all.

Relationships.  This is an area of my life where I am lacking.  And also an area, I am much worse than I really want to admit.  I've never been one to have a lot of friendships or relationships.  However, I have come to realize I need them more than I want them.  Sometimes, I don't like being around people.  And to do so stretches me out of my comfort zone.  I don't want to make the effort to invest in other people and can be rather lazy about doing so.  This is true for my family as well as friends.  I really am fine without a lot of relationships.  However, there would be more to my meaning, existence, life if I had them.  Frankly, I am just too lazy and don't care to try.  Sometimes, I find those people I really want to go deeper with yet don't reach out for fear of rejection, find something I don't like about them which lessens my desire, or just blow it off with an excuse.  And those feelings I had pass.  Ironically, a couple of my favorite shows are because I love the relationships and the characters in the show.  Seeing relationships in others and watching it from afar gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.  However, when it comes to me, I don't do it.

Then there are those aspects where I think I have it all together when it comes to knowing myself and relationships.  Yet I never had many relationships growing up.  And the first significant one I had ended in divorce.  It (I) was a failure.  Yet I was able to learn and grow through that experience.  And now I am supposed to be a new and improved me who has learned so much and who does things differently now.  Yet I am not improved.  I still make the same mistakes and have some of the same struggles I did before.  It's easy to do is to blame others that they need to grow.  However, I still see a lot of the same mistakes and struggles in me.  So how do I change?  Do I know how to change?  How much do I really care to?  The answer to all of those - I don't know.  The apathy I have towards friends and family can also extend to my most intimate relationships. 

I've said this before but I think I am not really me.  Because what I feel, act, and believe don't all agree and sometimes are in conflict with each other.  I feel like I can't be me and yet I don't want to be any different than what I am now.  Therefore, there is always this nagging discontent in my life.

Struggles.  I have struggles I don't ever talk about.  Weaknesses that are never exposed.  Some days I am able to work through them and other days they win the battle.  We all have our struggles and failures.  Some of which are available for people to see and others only which we know about.  The best way to work on these is with other people.  Yet I don't feel safe enough to be able to do that.  Or I am just too lazy and apathetic about them to do so.  A combination of both.  I don't trust others enough to let them know who I really am, good and bad.  I don't know that I want to do that.  I am guarded and that has meant holding back some of my thoughts, feelings, and struggles from family, friends, and spouse(s). 

I fear some of my struggles/weaknesses and my issues with relationships will affect me as a dad.  Maybe it will inspire me even more to work through these.  I don't know.  But in many areas of my life, I struggle. 

Faith.  All of this and more affect my faith.  My faith is real and at times I am so passionate, compassionate, and loving as I feel that fire within me.  Yet something gets lost in translation from soul to being.  Numerous times I have felt a calling to missions.  When I watched Idol Gives Back my heart was moved to want to make a difference in the world, to live for more than what I am doing.  I watched a movie this weekend, Second Chances, about a white pastor of a large, white affluent church who goes and works at an inner city black church where he struggles with what he sees and has conflicts with the black pastor he works with.  In the end, he realizes that his view of church was that of an organization for God rather than one that was about making a difference in people's lives.  And again, my heart was stirred.  After watching this movie, I realized why I struggled taking what is in my heart and living it out in my life.  I honestly don't want to.

I like being comfortable.  I like control.  I don't like things going on outside of my influence and I hate taking chances.  That probably has a lot to do with why I have a routine every day and rarely break it.  That is why I have trouble getting out of that routine in my life and how I can so easily get stuck with where I am at and not know what to do to change things.  It's why day after day can turn into year and year and I am still asking the same questions of what am I going to do with my life.  It's why 10 years later, my life doesn't look much different and I still have the same struggles and discontent that are always bubbling under the surface.  And the danger of all of that is, 10 years from now I could easily be asking these same struggles and still have those gnawing questions of 'what am I doing with my life?' still going on.  I get stuck in my routine and embrace comfortability, control, and not taking any risks.

So what does this all of this have to do with faith?  Well in looking at my heart and then taking a look at my life, all of this stuff comes back to God.  I struggle in my relationships with others because sometimes I just don't care and don't want to make the effort.  I struggle with that in the relationships I have now and it is a definite constant in my relationship with God.  Many times I am just too lazy and don't care to make the effort.  Another piece of that has to do with my struggles.  Even though God knows all, I hold back a part of myself from him because I don't fully trust him and don't want him to see everything (even though he really does).  I know God knows it all but I don't live like he knows it all.  Therefore, there is always a part of me that is still closed off to him.  And finally, there is that struggle with routine, being in control, and wanting to be comfortable.  I am moved all the time by music, experiences, moments in my life where God speaks.  It is the reason I am restless and there is always a small part of me that is discontent.  Discontent with my relationships, God, life, purpose, struggles, desires.  However, I don't want to trust God.  I don't want to take risks.  I don't want to hurt, or suffer, or go though trials.  And so life seems better to just live every day the same with my routines, staying in control (or so I think), and holding back a part of myself and not reaching out and taking risks in relationships.  Yet then again, it's not.  Or else I wouldn't be here writing all this and having those little areas of discontent in my life as these days and years go by, wondering when my life will find its meaning and I will discover the joys I am looking for in all my relationships.

And so with all of this, I continue to have those conflicts with my feelings, thoughts, actions, and longings.

Giving

As I watched Idol Gives Back, I had a number of thoughts about the things I saw.

I loved watching the show tonight because you got to see life in other parts of the country and in our world.  And it made my life, concerns, job, and the things I think about so meaningless.  I've never been one to get too caught up in causes.  And so many times, I get lost in my own life, desires, and struggles.  However, the last two years of watching Idol Gives Back has touched my heart and mind.  I know I give a lot in my own way as many people do.  However, this is different.  I give to missionaries, churches, relief organizations, and goodwill but tonight was about loving and caring for another human being that you will never meet just so they can live.  I am reminded of Jesus' words to feed and clothe the poor, take care of the widows and orphans, and to mourn with those who mourn.  Tonight reminded me that sometimes life is just about loving and giving to others so that they may live another day.

I got to thinking about why we give.  Tonight, I saw actors, singers, celebrities, and pop icons giving of their time and money to help others.  As a Christian, I have heard this question asked a few times - if all good things are from God, how can people who aren't Christian do good things?  This wasn't a question I was looking to ponder tonight but it came to me as I was watching.  Here's the answer I came up with.

As humans, we are made in the image of God.  This doesn't mean that God made man to look like him on the outside.  Yet he gave man a physical presence, a soul, emotions, and feelings.  It is on the inside that we are made in the image of God.  Unlike other creatures, we have a soul, emotions, feelings, and the ability to act on our will to love or have compassion for others.  This ability to do so was given to all people.  It's what makes us uniquely human.  Many times (by our nature), we choose to turn those things back to us and live for ourselves and our desires.  But there are moments when every human has the ability to love and give to others.  It is the gift God has given us when he created us like him.  So all good things do come from God - Christian and non Christian, rich and poor, black and white, Muslim and Jew.  Anytime a person's heart is touched to love beyond him or herself, I believe God is pleased.  A good thing has come from his creation.

The show closed tonight in a rather stunning way for me.  The final 8 Idol contestants closed with the song Shout to the Lord, a bold and blatant song of praise to God.  I never thought I would see that on TV.  We have gone so far as to keep God out of everything we do now.  And while a couple of words were changed, there was no hiding the outpouring of praise for God in that song in front of millions of people.  It almost seemed like it was a 'thank you' to God for the work, the giving, and the efforts made to help his people, the poor and the widows and orphans, both here and in Africa.  It was good, really good.  I think God smiled again.

Christianity and Politics

Normally, I avoid politics like the plague.  I can't stand them.  And I have little faith that politics and government make a real difference in the world.  However, with this being a Presidential election year, it's hard to get around it.  You see it everywhere on the TV, paper, web, and radio.  So many people have various views - what is right or wrong, what the issues are, the war, poverty, thoughts on Democrats and Republicans, opinions regarding our current President, gas prices, the economy, global warming/climate change.  And I tend to avoid most of the political rants as it relates to these issues.  However, one of the biggest influences on politics today is Christianity and morality.  Should we vote for those that align with our religion?  Should Christianity, or any other religion, get involved in politics? 

Here is my answer to both of these questions - No and yes. 

My 'no' may not be a popular opinion.  However, I don't think Christianity should have an audible voice or a large presence in politics.  I think our voice and presence in politics should be a quiet one.  Maybe one in which we shouldn't even have a voice at all (an audible or public one, anyways).  My honest feeling on this is that the huge influence of Christianity in politics is the one reason many people have turned away and been turned off from the faith in the first place.  In a sense, we have lost our true mission.  And now so many people see Christians as moral superiors pushing their agenda rather than loving people offering a message of hope in Jesus.  There's no denying this.  Ask anyone "what is a Christian?" and the responses you get will almost always have some tie to politics or morals.  As Christians, we are to live morally but not shove morality down people's throats.  I don't think our agendas on gay marriage or abortion and the roles those issues in politics play will ever save a single soul or make any real difference in a person's life.  For far too long, our voice has been a vocal one telling America what is right and wrong. 

So should we have any voice at all and allow faith to play a role in the political process? 

Yes, we should be aligned with our religion IF our faith touches our hearts, minds, and values.  And if they do, we should vote with that in mind and live these things rather than taking our opinions on these issues public.  I don't want to vote for a candidate just because he is pro life or against gay marriage.  I don't want others voting just based on party lines so why should I vote strictly on religious ones?  If so, I become just as guilty as those I criticize.  I think we should vote with our hearts and mind as we are personally convicted to do so.  However, we have an obligation to vote for the best candidate for our country, even if they don't follow everything according to the Christian political agenda (the same for Democrats and Republicans as well).  There may be a time when voting for the best "Christian" may not be a vote for the best leaders of our country.  (And by saying this, it is not a reflection on any of our current leaders or future ones.)

Here's an example of a Christian issue in politics - abortion.  Many Christians believe that abortion is wrong according to God.  There are many points of discussion in this - when is a fetus a life, at what point is aborting ok, partial birth abortions, and whether it should be allowed for instances of rape or incest.  And while I agree that it is wrong (not getting into the details), you will never see me protesting at an abortion clinic or pushing any legislation that overturns Roe vs Wade.  Why?  Whether abortions are legal or illegal, there will always be women who choose to get abortions.  The legality of it doesn't matter as a woman who wants an abortion will have one, legal or not.  And here is the question I have asked myself - does making abortion legal have a real impact on a person's life or is it just a 'victory' for Christianity and God? 

I have a friend who was a devout Catholic in high school and really loved God (she ended up becoming a Christian).  Even in high school, she was strongly against abortion.  A girl she knew ended up getting pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.  I don't even remember if her parents knew but she had already decided that she was going to have an abortion.  Yet none of her friends agreed with her nor did she have any family to help her through this.  So even though my friend disagreed with the abortion, she went with her because she didn't want her to be alone and have to go through this by herself.  My friend showed love and was there for this girl.  Whether she ever became a Christian or not, I don't know but I am sure she felt something of God's love as she went through this.  And even though Christians may have looked down upon and disapproved of my friend going with her, I think this is what real Christianity looks like.

Does this mean I will now vote for someone who supports abortion?  Not necessarily as my personal convictions may not lead me to vote for this candidate because I may feel that I can't fully support them.  However, that is a personal decision.  Because my faith has shaped me, I can vote with my heart and mind.  Yet religion alone doesn't pick my candidate for me. 

As Christians, I believe our voice in politics should be a silent one as we remain in the background rather than the forefront.  If Christians want a voice, do it with their vote and speak loudly without saying a word.  If Christians want a voice, love those around them as government and politics will never save the world.  May our voice be our mission and our faith in action rather than our agenda.  And then we will speak the loudest.

Culture and Common Grace

Does God only care about redeeming and saving people?  Does God bless both evil and good people in the world?  Can those that are not good people, i.e. “non Christians”, do good in this world?  If so, how is that possible?  What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?  The main thrust of these questions is for helping us try and discover who God really is and understand his work in our world.

The answers to these questions have been the center of many theological debates.  And the answers also define each person's view of God.  I just finished a book called He Shines In All That's Fair : Culture and Common Grace by Richard J. Mouw and these are some of the questions he raises.  This book is very much a theological/intellectual discussion on the differing viewpoints of Calvinist theology.  A couple of central questions are what is God about and whether he shows grace only to Christians or to all people in the world.  The answer to this question depends on your view of God in creation.  For some, the creation of all things under heaven and earth are designed to bring God glory and to work towards his predestined purpose for the election of certain people to be redeemed by his plan through Christ.  For others, there is a multiplicity in God's creative purposes.  God created a world to be inhabited by human beings.  However, due to sin, he created a plan to redeem men unto himself.  Yet outside of his redemptive plan, God also takes delight in his creation and his creatures for he is able to admire the beauty and the display of excellence which benefits creation itself.  Which view of God do you see?

There are various scriptures brought up to debate these points.  And neither argument should diminish God's all encompassing qualities and character.  However, I believe God delights in his creation beyond his purposes for redemption.  When God sees anyone struggle and fight to overcome adversity to succeed in life, he must smile.  When God sees people of all races and faith come together to reach out and help others, it must bring joy to his heart.  Even an amazing athletic feat is something God must admire for the beauty and excellence of achievement.  In contrast, a woman who is raped and tortured and watches her son die must make God angry, regardless of this woman's faith or religious convictions.  Yet the questions above still need answers to help us define how we believe God looks at the world.

In the world but not of the world.  This is a statement Jesus makes in John 17 as he prays for his disciples and followers.  Does this mean that Christians should only seek to benefit the purposes of the church while abstaining from the outside world for God's greater glory?  For some people, that is a definite 'yes' and that is what their heart leads them to do.  For most of us, this probably isn't the case.  Yet many of us may be agents of common grace so that we may offer help, as human beings to other human beings.  As a Christian who is a counselor, one can offer principles that may help save a marriage or heal a hurt.  We can promote all people alike to honor our word and commitment to others out of respect and love for people.  Maybe we should care about the poor because God's heart breaks for people who are struggling, regardless of their faith or convictions. 

Does God bless both evil and good people?  Don't all people receive the benefits of the sun, the rain, the fertile earth, and the blessings of creation?  Isn't it possible that God blesses all people by holding back sin in the world so that we are not completely overpowered and destroyed by its effects?  Can those that aren't Christians or that may be looked upon as bad people do “good” in the world?  Absolutely!  For God has given mankind gifts and abilities that can benefit others.  God's revelation of himself goes well beyond what we see or read in the bible.  For God can be seen in creation, the moral and rational capacities of human beings, and a sense of justice and fairness that is evoked in the hearts and minds of all mankind.  If the greatness of God is visible and entrenched around us, it is possible that his goodness can be exhibited by others even if it isn't understood as being from God.  For many people, both good and evil, have been instruments used by God for greater purposes.

To address all of the questions about life, faith, mankind, and God is an impossible task.  However, my belief is that God is bigger than anyone can understand.  God is both righteous and loving.  He loves those who love him and those that don't.  He works in and through both good and evil people and situations.  And yet we can never fully understand God regardless of his specific revelation to us or his general revelation to us through all that he has created.  For me, Jesus is part of God's plan and in him is the object of creation - both his plan of redemption and his love for all that he has created.  Christians aren't always an accurate reflection of God's character nor are they a monopoly in all that God has revealed himself to be.  I believe Christians are both objects and instruments of his grace which began and ended with Jesus.  God's never so big that we can't touch his heart but never too attainable that we will ever fully understand him.  Regardless of your experiences or faith, open your eyes to see how big God is, how loving and righteous he is, and how there is a plan in all of this for which all creation speaks to if we look hard enough to find it. 

I think this is what God meant

I got an email today from Kristen and a phone call from our missions pastor letting us know the team got to Thailand safely and are doing well.  If you want to know a little more about what is going on there, read a little about Rahab ministries (Rahab is the prostitute who helped out God's spies, showed her faith, and and was spared by God when Jericho was destroyed).  This is what loving and helping people is all about.  Too many times, people think that if you aren't talking about Jesus you aren't being a witness for God.  However, this is what the hands and feet of Jesus are all about.  This ministry is about meeting women in bars and having a salon to do nails and hair before prostitutes go out each night.  It opens the door to building relationships with these women in Thailand and goes well beyond many "Western" approaches to evangelizing.  This is the missional church.  For others out there, this is what a relationship with God is all about.  It's not just singing, preaching, living out a certain standard, and talking about Jesus.  Many people think that people confessing and turning from sin is all that God cares about.  But loving people and him is his greatest desire and most effective way of showing others what God really looks like.  If you want to see what God is really about and how he meant for us to live, then please take the time to read about this ministry.

As my wife and other women are in Thailand this week, they will be working with this ministry and going out to the places where these women are to encourage, offer practical help to them in their day-to-day lives, come alongside, and offer hope.  Please take a moment to read about Rahab ministries and remember to pray for this unique ministry that is there to just love and help women and their families.

http://www.rahabministriesthailand.org/mission.htm

Too many times, we think God only works in certain ways.  Ways that we sometimes think are the only ways to reach out to people in our churches here.  I have changed my way of thinking and have talked about how God is working in ways all over the world and how we can't put God in a box.  As you read about Rahab ministries in Thailand, think about how similar or different that ministry is compared to churches and ministries here in America.  And as a final read, read this list on How to Kill a Movement and compare it to the Rahab ministries.  See how this approach in Thailand and in other areas of the world are looking outside the methods and thinking of many of our churches here in America to make a difference in people's lives.