I just got off the phone with my dear mom. I talk to her several times a week on my way to work in the mornings. This morning we were rocking along talking about the church I pastor and how things were going. In the course of the conversation, she expressed her sadness and shock over President Obama’s recent statements supporting same-sex marriages. I thought about it for a second and then my poor mom got the better part of a ten-minute dissertation on the subject. I’m still fired up, so here goes.

Why are we so surprised? I believe there is a  simple and very compelling answer that calls every Christ-follower to action. On many occasions I have expressed my empathy and compassion for persons struggling with issues of sexual identity. So, this is not a comment on persons and specific issues. It is a comment on the major issues facing the Church in the world today. Never in our lives have Christ-followers faced real oppression or persecution in Western culture. As a matter of fact, the general understanding of America having been founded on Christian principles has created a false belief in the Christian community that America still today has a Christ-following majority and this is simply not true. It has not been true for a long period of time, but the Church enjoyed such a long run in American history as the recognized majority in matters of faith that believers were lulled into a false sense of standing in the world around us. As a result, today, church members waste their time debating chairs versus pews and the color of paint on the walls; traditions versus modern settings, hymns versus choruses and all manner of non-issues resulting in a colossal waste of time, energy and money. This is all done at the cost of true discipleship and intentionality toward the Great Commission.

Christ was not born into a world where God was followed by everyone. As a matter of fact, the people of God, the nation of Israel, was held captive by many pluralistic societies and never enjoyed a day where God was hailed as the one true God. What is happening in America today has been foretold in the Bible since it was written. Society is going to continue to devolve until the day of His return. The challenge to Christ-followers is to be pro-active rather than reactive to the situation.The Great Commission was given by Christ to His followers as a recipe for reproductive growth in the Kingdom community. Only by investing ourselves in others to see them know Christ and grow to maturity in their faith, is that Commission fulfilled. This includes seeing those who have been discipled reproducing themselves in others.

I believe all people, regardless of gender identity, religious belief, race, or creed should be treated with the love and respect Christ always demonstrated in His dealings with people. Everyone should be welcomed into the Church. The results of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit of God and the receiving of His Word isthe only way unity will ever be seen in this world. President Obama’s declaration of support for same-sex unions is not a surprise. As a matter of fact, it should serve as a clarion call to the Church at large. Time is short. The call is clear. There is work to be done. Let’s get to it!

 Most mornings when I rise, I am able to have my coffee, do some reading and then go watch as the sun rises over the pond. Twenty-four years ago, when my wife’s parents bought this farm cabin and the 102 acres it sits on, the pond was such a key focal point, our daughters, who were only seven and four at the time, aptly named the place The PondHouse. The name stuck. Seven months ago, we bought it from them and they moved into the big city of for a life of leisure and rest (that is their plan, although I don’t believe he knows the meaning of “slow down.”

Living here now these past months, I believe I would rename the place “The House of Rising Sun” if that name didn’t carry a well-known stigma from an old song. Sunrises here are incredible,displaying the artwork of God. Colors of vibrancy and depth I have never seen and night skies black as coal other than the pinpoint bursts of brilliancy we call stars. But it is the morning I have come to love the most when the sky begins to turn from black to the faint colors of day followed by the bursting forth of a stream of pinks, deepening into red and finally I have to turn away to keep the brightness of the sun from hurting my eyes. There is a promise in that sunrise. There is a hope in that new day. Continue reading →

The half-hearted attempt. I’ve made a few. Yesterday I wrote about commitment and then wondered if I, myself, was committed to my life goals. Over the years of my life, it has become evident my moments of success and enjoyment have come when I was fully engaged in whatever I was doing. My moments of frustration and failures have come when I was half-heartedly committed to the task. I have found my “divided heart” has been at the root of most of my failed efforts. It wasn’t that I lacked talent, or genius, or education. It was simply a divided heart not truly devoted to the goal. Continue reading →

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

Okay, about now, after day four or five of examining your life routines and considering how you might want to change things up and spend more time with God, deepen  your relationship and create a new spiritual you, you may be ready to throw in the towel! Don’t do it! Continue reading →